Page 39 of The Book of Wrath

I see Lydia’s mom sitting at the table with another little kids mom and head there. “Hello Megan. I hope Lydia wasn’t talking you’re ear off too much today.” Her mother greeted me as I made my way to the table.

“She’s a sweetheart Mrs. Miller. Actually, she was questioning the book in my hand. I told her I would leave it with you so you could decide if she could read it or not. She was pondering how to convince you to let her read it,” I smile as I hand her the green and black fabric bound hardback book.

“You can call me Harper; I understand you’re at work, but I feel like we are friends. You treat Lydia with such kindness that most don’t,” she says as she looks at the book, smiling. “I was waiting for her to show interest in Edgar Allen Poe. I have a different edition at home, but I will let her check this one out. We can always start off on some of the easier poems and stories.”

I smiled at her, “Lydia beats to her own drum. That’s a great thing that you nurture with her. I hope that when I have children I can do the same for them.”

“Lydia has been strong willed and marched to her own drum since before her birth. She came three weeks early and was walking before she was two. I hope she stays that way, not letting obstacles get in her way. I just wish the mismatched clothing would not be a thing, but whatever it makes her happy,” she laughs.

“Well, if you’ll excuse me Harper, I have to get back to work. I’ll see you both at check out,” I smile and excuse myself. Heading back out into the main floor to finish my rounds of restocking and also checking the shelves to make sure everything was where it belongs. Melissa loves that one of my quirks is that everything has a place and needs to be in its place.

Another easy close up for me, Lydia and Harper came by and checked out the book. Lydia kept thanking me for convincing her mom. We didn’t have the heart to tell her that there was no convincing needed. They were one of the last few to leave for tonight.

Max had a late shift tonight and wouldn’t be done until ten so I thought I would be riding home with Ally until Roark walked in just moments ago. Melissa had locked up her room and walked out onto the main floor doing her last-minute checks before she noticed Roark standing there.

“If you’re going to be here in place of Max, you can do his job. Check the exits please and make sure they’re all locked up properly,” she barked out the order and I thought Roark might actually snap at her, but he didn’t.

“Yes ma’am,” he said saluting her with two fingers. He stalked off down the many rows of books heading for the back wall where several of the exits were.

“I’m surprised he agreed so easily,” I said, gathering my things from my desk. Melissa stood across the desk from me and smiled.

“Rick has basically claimed Max, Roark, Tony, Andy and Peter as our children. They all have families, but each of them have had rough goes in life. Rick wanted to make sure that if they ever had a bad day or things went bad, they had someone other than blood they could turn to. Your Max has gone through the worst and I’m glad that he has you,” she smiled at me before continuing. “Rick questioned me about you. Asking if I thought you were a good person, if he should be worried for Max. I told him that you deserve to be happy.”

“So basically, you and Rick collect wayward kids who have seen some shit,” I laugh. “I mean no disrespect Melissa, but you practically adopted Ally and myself the moment you met us.

“You’re not wrong. I never liked Ryan for you. But I also couldn’t handle the grief of watching you come in here like a ghost after Matt. Remember sweetie, life doesn’t always give you second chances, but you are one of the lucky ones,” she said with a soft knowing smile on her face. Before I could say anything else, Roark came back to the desks.

“Everything is locked up nice and tight. If it’s alright with you, I have to get Megan home before I get my balls crushed in a vice grip,” Roark says with a chuckle. I don’t think Max would do that unless Roark tried something with me. But the thought of him crushing another man’s balls for just bringing me home late was kind of a hot thought. I shook my head at the thought of watching Max do just that. I didn’t want to think of Roark getting hurt. He’s become a good friend.

“Alright warden, I’m ready to go,” I joke. Melissa laughs as Roark just rolls his eyes. We head for the door, but something felt wrong. The alarms from one of the emergency doors began wailing, the exit lights started flashing. Melissa ran to her office door unlocking it quickly, Roark following closely behind her.

The sounds echoed off the walls and shelves, I felt off. Roark had just checked those doors. I had just checked those doors before him. You can’t get in from the outside unless they were left open, and you can’t leave them open without setting off the alarms. Someone was still inside the library. Someone who didn’t belong.

“Megan! Get your ass in here!” Roark yelled at me as he ushered Melissa in the office. I saw her picking up the phone to call 911 like we are trained to do, but I couldn’t be locked in a room. Something didn’t feel right about this. Roark took a step out of the office when a loud bang rang through the room.

Pain laced from the side of my head, blurring my vision. Roark was slammed up against the door, Melissa’s screaming had me pushing toward them. She pulled open the door knocking Roark’s attacker off his balance, she pulled Roark in the room and slammed the door shut. She looked at me with horror in her eyes. Another loud bang and everything went dark.

Fuck. My. Life.

Chapter 32

Max

When we pulled into the library parking lot, EMS was already on the scene. Mitch and Brian and Captain Woods were all checking out Melissa and Roark. My heart sunk as I scanned the open doors to the ambulances, where is she?! Rick throws the car in park and jumps out of the car sprinting for Melissa. Damn for an older man he could move.

I follow behind him, gritting my teeth. The flashing lights of the emergency signs were still flashing, but the sound was gone. Roark looks at me, he’s covered in blood, anger twisting his face into a snarl that I haven’t seen on him since he hacked up Roy the other night.

“Before you give him any shit Max, it is my fault that he is bloody and a mess,” Melissa stated. I turned to look at her, she wasn’t bloody or bruised up. Not a single strand of hair came out of her perfectly put together bun.

“What happened?” I spat through gritted teeth. I looked at Roark, but Melissa forced me to look back at her.

“We don’t know. Megan checked the emergency doors twenty minutes before Roark got there, I made him double check them. Everything was fine, we were getting ready to leave then the alarms went off. I ran to the office and called 911 while Roark yelled for Megan to get her ass in the office, but she froze in place,” she took a deep breath trying not to sob. “Rick, someone hit her from behind. She tried to run to us when Roark got attacked, but I opened the door grabbing Roark and pulling him into the room. I couldn’t leave the door open with one attacker right at the door. I’m so sorry Max.” Melissa couldn’t hold back her sobs any longer. I looked at Roark who was white knuckling his fists in his lap.

“How the fuck did you end up bloody and fucked up then?” I questioned him, “And how the fuck did someone get in?!”

“They came in the front door when the library was open and hid. Really fucking well, I might add,” Andy came strolling out of the library with Tony.

“Is Ally—” I began but Tony just held his hand up.

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