Page 36 of Dangerous Refuge

But Paul—god. If Paul gets ahold of Rico, the only life Rico will have is running from police, drugs, and whores. And who’s to say Paul won’t kill me and abuse Rico in the process. He’s not a good person. He belongs behind bars; he just hasn’t been caught for the things he’s done. I’m on the verge of tears when Dana bursts back into the kitchen with a scowl on her face.

“Allie, just because we’re friends doesn’t mean you can slack off. I’m your boss now. You have to get to work!” Her tone is anger laced with a bit of whining. I blink away the tears and pick up the tray, balancing it on my shoulder. Then I back up to the swinging door and head out to the dining room. Dana shouldn’t even be waiting tables, which shows me how much she wants to help out. I’ve been slacking for too long. I try to push away my emotion and work, but as the last plate of food off my tray is set in front of a customer, I see Sven walk in with Tucker. He’s angry.

I tuck my tray under my arm and notice Dana eye me with a nasty look. “I’m sorry,” I mouth as she passes me.

“Two minutes, that’s it.” Her shoulder bumps into mine and I nearly drop the tray, but I clamber to secure it and move toward him.

“Let’s sit down,” he says, but I plant my feet by the host stand.

“I can’t,” I hiss. “I’m on the clock.” Tucker glares at me as he backs out the door and Sven grips my elbow so tightly I know it will leave a bruise.

“I didn’t ask.” He forces me into a booth and I lay my tray on the table. The red leather squeaks as we sit. I’m really uncomfortable, but I find myself strangely calm—not at all afraid, even knowing who he is now.

“I know who you are,” I blurt out. “I know who your family is.”

His eyebrows rise. I expect him to rage, to be angry and scream. He doesn’t even raise his voice.

“Then you know how I am able to protect you.” His firm gaze holds me captive, searching my heart to its depths. There is compassion there, well masked. A man like Sven doesn’t show emotion or empathy, or love. But when I look there, I can actually see it, which makes what I have to say even more difficult.

“So you had me followed?” I am irritated, but not surprised. I knew it was coming.

“Tracked actually, a bug in your handbag.” He draws his tongue across his teeth and then sighs. “Look, Allie, I’m just trying to protect you like you asked. I want a wife; you want safety. It’s a win-win.” He folds his hands in front of himself and leans across the table. He’s about to say something when Dana walks up.

“I need you to get back to work, Allie. And you, you need to leave.” She picks up the empty tray and glares at Sven, who opens the front of his coat and flashes a weapon. Again, no surprise there. Now that it has all clicked in my head, nothing he does shocks me. He’s used to getting his way because he owns this town.

“Get out or I’m calling the cops.” Dana stomps off and I whimper.

“I need this job, Sven. I have to get back to work.” My palms are sweating. People are staring. They probably know who this guy is and I have been so blind this whole time.

“You don’t need to work, Allie. I’ll take care of everything you need.”

I stand, straightening my skirt. “You don’t get it, do you? I left Paul because he did shit like your family does. I don’t want to raise my son around criminals. I can’t accept your protection anymore. I’m going to stay with Sarah.”

He stands too, now the pain in his eyes trickles out onto his forehead where deep crevices form, and to his lips that pucker into an angry glare. I am still not afraid of him. He will never hurt me. To him I am a prized possession, worth more than all the gold in the world. I can see it in the way he looks at me.

“You can’t mean that.”

A siren in the distance wails and I tense. “You better go.”

“I’ll drive you home when you are done.”

Sven ducks out of the diner and I do the walk of shame back to the dining room to finish my shift. I know I’ll be in for a lecture when I get home but at least I’ve made my position clear. Even if it is breaking my heart. Why does leaving Sven hurt? Why does it feel like he meant something to me? He meant nothing to me—just sex and protection. Right?

“Snap out of it, Allie. Get back to work.” Dana is now being heartless, and I understand why. Now my job really hangs in the balance. I need to have these last paychecks and get out of town for real. Paul isn’t safe. Sven isn’t safe. And if they aren’t, neither is Rico.

20

SVEN

Ican’t believe she’s so insolent. I stand between her and her suitcase after driving her home and she refuses to listen to me. “Get out of the way, Sven.” She sidesteps, but I do too, blocking her.

“You’re not leaving.” She can’t. I won’t let her. This is her home now. I should have made the priest go through with it, marry us on the spot. My heart is racing, rage pushing my pulse skyward.

“Get out of my way and let me pack. I already told you it’s over.” She steps around me and opens the suitcase, piling an armful of clothing into it. My insistence and demands aren’t working. If she doesn’t change her mind I will be forced to physically prevent her from leaving, which I swore I wouldn’t do. I won’t be physical with her like that bastard.

“Okay, fine you can work. I’ll send a bodyguard with you.” If this is what she wants then I will use it to my advantage. I will send Tucker, let her do her shifts at the diner. Maybe it will draw Paul into the open and I’ll get my chance at him. God knows if Monroe doesn’t find him first, he’s going to hurt someone else. I need to take drastic measures.

“No. I appreciate the attempt; I just can’t do it. My son deserves better.” She returns to the dresser and I realize how much she has settled in. Another armful of the clothing purchased for her and it doesn’t fit in her suitcase.

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