Page 60 of Embers of Torment

"Hey! I'm the nice one, but if you want to portray me as the opposite, I'll go out of my way to be mean."

"You won't because you like me too much," I laughed.

Adam made a face and followed Sofie to the café.

I joined Jace and eyed the cup of ice cream in his hand. "Where'd you get that?"

"I got it at the shop that opened up down the street. It's vanilla toffee crunch with caramel sauce. Unfortunately, it's melting fast. I got two spoons, so help me eat it before it becomes an even bigger mess."

I grabbed the plastic spoon lying on Jace's tray. He held the treat toward me, and I scooped up a small blob, slipping it into my mouth as it started to drip.

"Not bad, huh?" He took another spoonful.

"It's tasty, but I'd prefer it weren't half runny."

"Yeah, I realized I should have waited to get it when I noticed the ice cream melting."

We polished off the sundae as Sofie and Adam took the seats across from us. Jace passed me my sandwich. I unwrapped it and did a double-take. It wasn't the tuna on wheat toast with tomato, lettuce, and avocado that I'd requested. I scowled when I peeled the top piece of bread away and saw nothing but layers of vegetables.

"Umm, Jace. What did you get me?"

"Tuna. Why?" He glanced at my sandwich and frowned. "That isn't tuna, is it?"

"Nope. Not even close. I'll be back. I need to tell the person working the counter that someone made a mistake and see if I can get my order remade." I rewrapped the vegetable-filled pieces of bread, slid my chair back, and stood.

Jace shook his head. "No, I'll do it. It's my error."

"No, it's not. One of the employees screwed it up. Besides, you have your food, so you might as well eat. I'll do it." I hurried away before Jace could insist on going.

Entering the café, I went to the pick-up line and overheard a customer arguing with one of the workers about being given the wrong item. "Excuse me." I waved to get their attention. "I think you got mine. I was supposed to get tuna but got a veggie sandwich instead."

"I told you," the woman snapped. She glared at the employee, then held her paper bag toward me, expecting us to trade.

"I don't think so. I touched yours, and you probably handled mine. I want a new sandwich." I arched a brow at the young man behind the counter. "You guys switched our orders. I think you should redo them."

"Of course. You're right," the man said, sounding flustered. "Give me a few minutes. I'll be back." He took off, and a moment later, I saw him talking to someone in the kitchen.

Crossing my arms, I stepped back and waited, directing my attention out the front windows.Whoa. No freaking way.I leaned forward and peered intently through the glass at the person walking past the café.Oh, shit. It's him!

"Excuse me. Ma'am?" A voice called out behind me.

"Huh?" I spun around. The young man at the counter held a bag in the air while the snappy lady marched toward the door. I took my lunch, thanked the man, and hurried outside, stopping a few yards from the door.

The man in black I'd bumped into a while back had returned and was sitting in front of the taco shop. He was partially hidden by a potted shrub and focused his attention on something across the plaza. Following his gaze, I recognized his target.

He was watching Adam, Sofie, and Jace.

Hit with an adrenaline rush, my knees trembled as I looked for an empty chair. Taking a seat, I studied the man, who was unaware of my presence. Although he wore charcoal gray instead of black, I was positive it was the same person. One glimpse of his feet gave me the confirmation I needed sincehis well-worn work boots had bright red shoelaces. This time, however, he had uncovered his head, revealing short, tightly curled, grayish-black hair.

Remembering the conversation I'd had in Reid's office with him, Sofie, and Braxton Hennessey, I couldn't help but wonder if this man and Sofie's mother were linked. Thinking he could be more dangerous than I'd assumed, my panic rose as I tried to guess why the man was there. Squashing my fear, I deduced it would be wise to take pictures, figuring Braxton could use them to identify the guy.

My hands shook as I pulled my cell phone from my pocket. I held it upright with the bottom hovering an inch above the table and snapped a photo. The man turned slightly, and I took another, this one with a perfect profile. Zooming in, I obtained several more while trying to remain calm and avoid being noticed.

I stood to leave a half-dozen photos later, then decided to take one more. This one at a different angle. After quietly skirting around two tables, I got into position and pointed my camera. I was about to hit the button when Jace yelled something from a short distance away. I motioned for him to be quiet, worried the man would see me. Then I realized it was the man Jace was yelling at, the two eyeballing each other.

The man swung his head toward me, my attempts to silence Jace having caught his attention. I froze, my eyes riveted on his face, as I watched his expression morph from surprise to recognition. Then he saw my cell phone pointed at him and slowly stood. He must have remembered Jace at that second because he glanced at him, turned, and ran. Jace yelled at him to stop and then followed in pursuit.

"Oh, shit!" I grabbed my bag and bolted across the plaza. I slid into my chair at our table to a duet of gasps. "The man. It'shim. The one from before. He was sitting outside the taco shop, watching you, and ran off. Jace chased after him."

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