Page 61 of Naughty Santa Daddy

“Coffee?” I ask, but he shakes his head.

“Naw, thank you. Was hopin’ you could give me a lift to the next town.”

Flabbergasted, I remain in place. This man has to be out of his mind. I might’ve gotten him a meal, but to get in a car with him? No, that isn’t happening.

“Sorry, I can’t.”

His face falls at my words, and it is in such a way that I catch my breath as every part of me goes on high alert.

“Come on. I’ve been walking a long time. Help a man out. Besides, it's Christmas time.”

Have to give it to him, he’s trying, but I take a step back, the danger warning signs blaring as he rises from the stool, towering over me. I can’t explain it, but there is a shift, and I believe in following my gut, which is telling me this man is going to be trouble.

The last of the customers have just left, leaving the floor empty. Gilbert is behind the grill, cleaning. Carrie is in the bathroom and me, I’m stuck with this man. Yeah. Never in my years here have I had this situation ever happen. I’ve always felt safe. This moment? Not so much.

“Quick ride and I’ll be out of your hair forever.”

He thinks he’s charming. He’s not. The more he speaks, the more the hair on my arms stands up. I need to go home. Maybe it’s the fatigue, but I’m uneasy, to say the least.

Calmly, I respond, “Sir, it’s time for you to go now. I’m not giving you a ride.” Eyeing the counter, I take a step closer to it as he edges around, coming toward me.

“Sir. You need to stop.” My heart picks up speed. Where the hell is Carrie? Will Gilbert hear me over the noises back there? It doesn’t matter. I always have to depend on myself. This will be no different.

He lunges. There is a split second where I see the flash of the silver blade, but I can’t be sure what I see. Instincts take over and I grab for the gun from under the counter. This is Texas after all, and we love our firearms.

Pop! Pop!

I fire off multiple rounds and hit him directly in the chest several times. As he falls to the ground, I move to jump out of the way of the blood. The room spins. Did I really shoot a man? I didn’t think, I reacted. I don’t see the knife I thought I saw. Did I kill him? For no reason?

Everything happens so fast.

The chime on the door rings, and before I can wrap my brain around everything, MassimoMysteriousis by my side, looking me over. He has on black gloves and has something in his hand.

He leans in, murmuring into my ear, “The knife will only have his prints on it. He came at you. You were scared and you shot. That’s all you tell them when they come.”

Oh my God! I killed this man.

Massimo kneels down, places the knife in the man’s hand, and then, like a puff of smoke… he’s gone.

Carrie comes running out of the doorway with Gilbert following her. Both of their mouths drop open as they witness the man lying there in a pool of blood.

What am I supposed to do next?

Chapter 3

Hilary Storm

Hilary Storm

Massimo

I watch from a distance as the deputies push the stretcher out of the diner. Hadley’s stare is locked on the scene, even though the fucker’s body is fully covered from view. I know this is tearing her apart… a first kill is one that will stick with you until you take your last breath. Taking the opportunity to observe her without also pretending I’m not, I watch her closely. I open my phone and pull up the app that allows me instant access to everycamera I have placed. The file labeled ‘Hadley’ is still open, so it doesn’t take much for me to find the correct feed. Now I have an up-close view of her, and I can also hear everything that is being said.

Hadley leans against the outside wall of the diner, not saying a word when she’s being asked questions. She’s obviously in her head about what she’s done even though the result of the night is no different than it would’ve been.

He was going to die tonight.

He might’ve conned her out of a meal and a view all damn day, but he didn’t fool me. I had Big John on the phone before I walked out of the diner earlier, pulling up everything he could find on the guy. The hitchhiker bit was too damn convenient. John confirmed my suspicions before we finished the phone call.

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