Page 1 of Tied

Chapter 1

Riley

The erratic rhythm of my heart reminds me of a locked up animal attempting to escape its cage. The spring breeze is brisk this evening, whirling the few leaves that survived the winter along the damp ground. A sudden gust whips around my collar and a shiver travels through me as I pull the door to the coffeehouse closed behind me.

I'm not dressed for this weather. I am not wearing a coat, but a black blazer over the only white blouse I own, with black dress pants and ballerina shoes. Even my stockings are too thin for this type of weather. The only thing providing any sort of protection from the chilly temperatures is the generously plush scarf wrapped around my neck.

It's not just the cold that's making my body shiver and my teeth chatter as I scan the room nervously, my heart still beating loudly in my ears. If anyone is watching me close enough, they would notice that my knuckles are white from clutching my messenger bag like it’s a lifeline.

I'm on a mission, a secret mission that could change my life for the better—if I don't mess this up, that is.

“Take any seat you like,” the young waitress pipes out as she hurries past me to deliver an order to a table of waiting customers. I jump in surprise. “I’ll be right with you.”

“Thanks,” I utter, but I’m sure my voice is too low for her to hear it.

Any seat I like.

Oh, girl, it’s not as simple as that.

I know exactly where I want to sit. Where I have to sit.

My instructions were clear—I am to sit by the window on one of those high chairs, my back to the patrons, facing the street outside. I head there straight away. A subtle twinge of anxiety sweeps through my chest when I realize that none of the seats along the window are taken.

Did they keep the seats open for me? Is the staff in on whatever it is that’s happening?

“Don’t be ridiculous, Riley.”

I whisper the words to myself, but a man sitting at a table to my right hears me when I pass him. He looks up from his newspaper. The tilt of his graying eyebrows implies that for a brief moment, he wondered if I was talking to him, but as soon as the look appears on his face, it disappears and he returns to his reading. I notice that he didn't take off his black bomber jacket and dark wool beanie after sitting down for his coffee, and I think to myself that he embodies the perfect stereotype of a spy or gangster in a mystery novel.

Is he one of them? Is he here to watch me?

Oh my God, Riley, get a grip!

It’s not like my life is in danger. After all, this is just a simple task to prove that I am qualified.

It’s a goddamn job interview.

I take my seat on a high chair at the slim wooden bar that stretches along the large display window, turning my back to the room and trying to block out whatever might be happening behind me. If I’m being watched, so be it. It’s not like I’d ever find out for sure—and it’s also not what should concern me, because I’m working under time constraints and I don’t have time to—

“What can I get you?”

I’m so startled that I almost fall from my chair. I suck in a sharp breath of air as I jerk away from the waitress, who is suddenly right next to me. Holy shit, I’ve never been this jumpy in my life before.

She giggles, obviously amused by my reaction, but she apologizes. “I’m sorry, dear. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

Dear? She’s about my age. Why does she talk to me like I am a middle-aged lady?

Is she working for them?

Pull it together, Riley. Your imagination is running crazy.

“I err… it’s fine,” I stammer taking deep breaths to calm down. “Just a tea, please.”

Her head bobs to the side.

“Tea?” she repeats. “What kind? We have Earl Grey, peppermint, green, chamomile, orange and cinna—”

“Tea!” I snap impatiently, cutting her off a little too brusquely, and the expression on her face freezes.

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