Page 7 of Edge

After waking up numerous times throughout the night, I was relieved when it was time to get up and get ready for work. Being awake and tired seemed better than being asleep and terrified.

2

EDGE

When Byte called and asked me to hang out at Irene’s diner to keep an eye on things, I was happy to help. Irene was cool as fuck, and her food was some of the best I’d ever had.

Irene smiled and shook her head when she saw me. “I knew he’d send one of you.”

“I can’t complain. I consider this one of the perks of the job.”

“I told him I’d be fine. Tony’s in the back, and I’ve got a shotgun under the counter,” she said.

I wasn’t surprised. She looked like the kind of woman who would blow a hole through someone who tried to cross her. “What can I say? He worries.”

“It must be something worth worrying about if Phoenix has y’all stationed up here.”

“Are you fishing for information?” I teased.

“You know damn well I am. Byte told me a little bit, but he didn’t have much time to talk and neither did I. You want a coffee or something to eat?”

“Coffee for now, please,” I said and took a seat at the counter. “We don’t know the details yet, but someone’s been harassing Gabby. They thought it was a guy she went out with a few times.Then they thought it was Lauren, the girl she met here to study with last week. Now they think it might be both of them. The problem is the police can’t find either of them, and neither can Byte.”

“Oh, I bet that’s eating him up,” she said and placed a mug of coffee in front of me.

“It is,” I confirmed. “He’s been glued to Gabby’s side since all this shit started.”

“I don’t think he needs to worry about me. Lauren asked about Byte and Gabby, but I didn’t have anything to tell her. She said she was worried because she hadn’t been able to get in touch with Gabby. I told her I would call Byte after I tended to a few tables, but the guy came in and they started arguing before I had a chance to call. He seemed pretty pissed off about her being here, so I doubt they’ll come back,” she said.

“Could you hear what they were arguing about?” I asked.

“Not really. He called her stupid and said something about her ruining everything. She said he was an asshole and was overstepping his bounds. He told her to shut up, and that’s when I headed for their table. He saw me coming and practically dragged her out the door.”

“I’m sure Byte’s downloading the video clips as we speak.”

“I have no doubt he is,” Irene chuckled. “How many Blackwings are in town?”

“Three. Me, Diesel, and Ink.”

“Let me know before you leave. I’ll send you home with food for them,” she said.

“I’ll be here until you close,” I told her.

“Seriously, Edge. You don’t have to stay here all night.”

“It’s either sit here or sit at Gabby’s house. Personally, I’d rather be here,” I told her. I didn’t mind hanging out at Gabby’s house, but after a few days, it was nice to have a change of scenery.

“Well, make yourself comfortable. Let me or Evie know if you need anything.”

“I don’t think I’ve met Evie,” I said.

“Oh, you probably haven’t. She’s new.”

Irene disappeared around the corner and came back with a woman in tow. She looked to be in her early thirties with long, dark blonde hair, and two black eyes. Possibly a broken nose. Someone had done a number on her. Rage instantly filled me at the thought.

“Edge, this is Evie. Evie, this is Edge,” Irene introduced.

Evie reached out to shake my hand. When she glanced at my cut, her entire body stiffened, and her face paled. “Nice to meet you,” she rushed out, while her eyes darted around the room like she was looking for a way to escape.

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