Page 14 of Sizzling Nights

Theresa seemed to settle in as lunchtime came and went. Business as usual was key. He was happy to see her begin to relax a bit but knew it wouldn't last. He understood the pressure she was under.

Theresa entered the kitchen and snapped an order onto the order board he used. He grinned at her and received a smile in return.

"You doing okay?"

She nodded. "Yeah."

"Good." He nodded and plated an order.

He looked into her eyes. They were beautiful eyes, but right now they drooped slightly. Her shoulders weren't as straight as they usually were. He stepped closer to her and dropped his voice. "Are you sure?"

Her eyes flicked to his. "I am. I guess I'm just tired. I feel like I've been awake for days."

He nodded. "Stress. You'll be safe tonight and hopefully, can get a good night's sleep. That will change things for you tomorrow. Today has been a long day and it's only two o'clock right now."

"Yeah. I guess. I felt this way when I left Maine. Always looking over my shoulder. Always waiting for the next shoe to drop."

The back door opened, and Theresa jumped. He whispered, "It's okay. I believe it's the steak delivery for tonight. If you don't want to be here while they deliver, go to the office and chat with Margo for a few minutes. I'm sure by now Jace has filled her in."

Before Theresa could respond, the kitchen door opened and both Jace and Margo entered. Jace moved directly to the delivery person who wheeled in a dolly with three heavy boxes on it.

Jace didn't wait for him to get fully in the door. "I want to know what happened this morning."

The driver's eyes grew round as he stared at Jace's tightened jaw and dark eyes that brooked no argument. "I don't know. I delivered. It must have been one of your..."

"It wasn't. No one was here but me until Marco..." Jace looked his way, then back to the driver. "Came in and found the damaged packages."

The driver stuttered a few words out then his eyes watered and his shoulders dropped. "Someone paid me to do it. I needed the money and he offered me two hundred dollars. I couldn't pass it up."

"Who!" Jace's voice grew louder and Marco moved toward the driver.

"I don't...don't...know."

Marco's anger rose but he recognized the man's complete fear. He took a deep breath. "How did he pay you?"

"C...c...cash."

"Let me see it."

The driver's hands shook as he reached into his pocket and pulled out two one-hundred-dollar bills. He held the shaking bills toward Marco. He gently took the money and held the bills up to the light in the kitchen. He moved them back and forth to see if the blue security ribbon changed with the movement.

He looked at Jace. "They're real."

Jace nodded and Marco handed the driver the bills.

Jace said, "If he approaches you again, I want you to tell me. I want to know what he asks you to do."

"Okay."

Marco shook his head. "What did he look like?"

"He had red hair. Taller than me."

Marco turned toward Theresa and Margo who stood watching. Theresa nodded as her chest rose. She blew out a breath and swallowed.

Margo put her arm around Theresa and squeezed her. "We'll do everything we can to keep you safe."

"I know you will. Thank you."

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