Page 13 of Sizzling Nights

Marcofinallyspoke. "I think they did it to scare Theresa."

"The Celtic Crime Family? If they are after her, why haven't they tried to harm her?"

Jace looked her way and closed his eyes. "I'm sorry Theresa, I don't want that to happen, I just..."

"It's okay. I understand."

Marco finished his comment. "I think they hired someone local to scare her. And Theresa thinks the Celtics know she still has dirt on them, and they want it."

Jace woodenly turned his head toward her. He looked into her eyes for a long time and her heart beat so forcefully in her chest it nearly made her lose her breath. "Do you have more on them?"

She bit her bottom lip slightly then nodded. "Yes."

"What do you have?"

"They were instrumental in getting the president elected by dirty means."

"And you have proof?"

"I do."

Jace looked at Marco. "Holy fuck."

9

Jace stared at Marco. "What are you doing to keep her safe?"

"I've gotten Mitch De Mario involved."

Jace nodded. "That's good. What has he done so far?"

Marco looked at her and nodded. Though her voice sounded shaky, she replied. "He has taken my car and hidden it. He gave me another one to use in the meantime. He fixed my kitchen window, and he has cameras in and around my place to monitor activity. And timers on my lamps."

Jace nodded. "Okay. I have security here. I'll ramp it up though. I'll have a few more cameras installed outside watching our employee cars. And I'm going to put a couple of cameras in here to monitor deliveries. I just called The Meat Shop and they're bringing over a new shipment for tonight. We'll haggle over the damages and who pays for what later."

Marco nodded. "Okay."

"In the meantime..." Jace turned to Theresa. "Stay inside. If anyone comes in that makes you uncomfortable, let me or Marco know right away."

Theresa's eyes met his and they stared at each other for a long while. She finally replied to Jace. "Okay."

Jace nodded. He started toward the door to the restaurant but halted. "And stay with Marco."

He left instantly.

Theresa still looked into his eyes. "What does that mean?"

"He means staying with me is a good idea."

"Oh."

He nodded. "You good?"

She bit her bottom lip once more. "I think so."

"Okay. Let's get ready for the lunch crowd."

She nodded, picked up a tray of salt and pepper shakers, and exited the kitchen. He turned the burners on the stove to heat the griddle and began pulling ground beef from the cooler to make patties for lunch. Soon the other waitstaff came in, Kaysen and Kelsey and they helped Theresa out front. He managed things in the kitchen. He liked it this way for lunch. Tonight is when he'd have helpers in here and the dishwasher. The kitchen got busy and loud at dinner time.

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