Page 35 of Saving Bonnie

Readjusting the backpack, I cover the few yards to the street with little ceremony. Purposely avoiding my usual glance toward the front of the café, I hang a left. The scent of Mexican food grows more faint with every step I take. Why didn’t I notice this before?

Within a few steps, I reach the end of the block then go around the church to their parking lot. A light breeze is coming in off the Rio Grande, purging my senses and making this feel like I’m somewhere far away.

Slamming the door behind me, I turn the key, bringing the engine to life. I punch in a number on my cell, preparing to do the most distasteful thing I’ve had to do.

“Hey.”

“Hey, yourself,” Cord replies with a note of uncertainty.

I inhale, drawing together the words before I change my mind. “I need you at the café tonight.”

“A’right.”

The word hangs in the air. I can’t bring myself to thank this idiot.

“Everything okay?” He switches to concern.

The last two words I want to hear from anyone, especially him. What am I supposed to say? The one woman I got comfortable around is scared shitless of being around me?

The fire flares inside me. “Can you take over or not?” I snap.

“Yeah, man.” He jumps back, defensively. “I said I would, didn’t I?”

“Get with Kassy on shift change.” I end the call before he can say anything else. I don’t need to be giving him or anyone else any answers.

You scare the hell out of me…

Enough. The last week will be locked away, as if nothing happened and this is any other time in my life. And it easily could be. I’m alone, feeling caged, with the ground pulled out from under me. Only this time, I’m not in a metal drum, bracing myself on the sides to keep from drowning. I know one thing I can do to purge this poison, but I’ve broken my own rules too many times these last couple of days. I don’t need to involve myself in anything.

I drop the phone into the cupholder then put the car in drive and pull out of the parking spot.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Bunny

Right before seven o’clock, the keypad ticks, calling my attention. My own breathing echoes in the empty kitchen. I’m frozen, fingers tightening on the newly rinsed mop I hold.

At this hour, it has to be Tino coming in. Hmm, let’s see what explanation he has for walking away in the middle of me pouring my heart out. I still can’t believe the callous bastard left me talking and took off.

Deep inside, I know it shouldn’t matter, yet it does. I let myself get too involved in what should only last another few days. Afterward, I’ll probably never see him again. And damn this emptiness inside me at the thought.

He hits the last digit and my heart jumps into my throat. The doorknob turns, slow and steady. I can’t help but stare at the entrance during the eternity it takes the door to open. Seconds tick by as I struggle to wrap my brain around the situation. It’s not the tall, brooding protector I’ve come to anticipate. Instead, a shorter, clean-cut guy with sandy-brown hair climbs the few steps to the kitchen entrance.

“Hello, Miss Bonnie.” His deep-blue eyes crinkle at the corners with his smile. “I’m Cord Marson,” he announces, giving me a slight nod.

If he has the code for the door, it should be enough to verify he’s working with Tino. Or at least part of the security team who set everything up, which would still mean he’s working with Tino.

“I’ll be sitting with you tonight,” he says, stepping in far enough to close the door behind him.

My chest deflates. Tino’s not coming. What is this supposed to be? A quick switch, and a hope I wouldn’t notice? What the hell? I catch myself and paste on a smile before I say something I shouldn’t. No, I’m not going to give him the satisfaction of knowing he got to me.

“Hello, Mr. Marson.” I manage to push the words through as I loosen my death grip on the mop and tuck it away in the small broom closet. “Please come in.”

“Cord will be fine, ma’am.” A powerful chest makes him look disproportionate. He’s bulkier than what he would appear to be, going by the size of his arms. Even if I didn’t watch so many cop shows, I’m around enough law enforcement to recognize he’s wearing a vest. So, who or what exactly are they expecting?

Then again, this may not have anything to do with me. Tino needs a place to wait for whomever he’s trying to grab. Maybe the person is dangerous.

Cord remains standing by the door, too polite to step across a freshly mopped floor. Swinging a black backpack off his shoulder, he tilts his head to study his path.

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