Page 4 of Devious Madness

Retired from the Air Force, he works to keep himself busy and out of trouble. He’s been happily married to the same woman for forty years, has five kids, seven grandkids, and they all still live in this small ass town. Far as I can tell, he’s the luckiest son of a bitch here.

“I’m working on it,” I manage before stuffing another bite of thick, salty bacon into my mouth. I can already feel my body forgiving me for the hell I’ve put it through in the last few days.

“Mira, can you grab table seven for me? I have a small emergency.” Wendy flicks her gaze downward, her sign that she’s just gotten her period and needs to take care of it.

“Yeah, sure.” I pop the last bite of bacon sandwich in my mouth. “Thanks for the sandwich, guys.”

I’m still licking bacon grease from my lips when I get to the booth in the corner.

“Good morning. Can I get you some coffee?” I lift the pot I grabbed on the way over in offering.

A set of dark brown eyes meet mine, knocking the wind out of me for a moment. He’s wearing a black leather jacket and his neck…the snake tattoo.

“Coffee would be good, yes.” He taps the side of the mug with his knuckles.

Okay, I just need to keep calm. That note meant nothing. And I don’t know this guy. He doesn’t know me. I’m just a waitress pouring his coffee.

“Do you need more time with the, uh, the menu?” I ask after pouring his coffee.

“Three eggs, over easy, two orders of bacon, and hash browns.” He hands me the menu.

“Toast? White, wheat, sourdough?”

“Wheat is fine.”

“Got it.” I quickly turn from his table and hurry to put in the order and find Wendy. She can have the table back.

“You look like shit.” Barbara, the owner of the diner, stops me at the counter. “Did you even sleep last night?”

“No. Not really.” I run my fingers through my hair, then smooth out the ends that stick up. “Bad night. Sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry to me; you’re the one burning yourself to the ground.” She frowns.

I sigh. She’s not wrong. “I was going to ask…do you think I can take Monday off? I’ll see if I can get someone to take my shift.”

She swipes a hand through the air. “No need, take the day. We’ll get it covered. And get some sleep.”

“Yeah. That would be good.” I’m about to go in search of Wendy to hand the scary, handsome man back to her, when Robby calls his order out as ready to be delivered.

Wendy is nowhere to be seen.

Damnit.

I keep my head down as I make my way to his table, as though I can hide myself from him.

“Three eggs over easy, two orders of bacon, and hash browns.” I place the plate in front of him. “Can I get you anything else?”

“You don’t look like you’re from around here,” he says, adjusting his plate until the eggs are in front of him.

The statement catches me off guard, because he’s obviously not from around here, either.

“And how does someone from around here look?” I put a little attitude in the question, because I haven’t slept, and it’s this guy’s fault.

He brings his eyes to mine, then taps the side of his nose. “Your nose piercing and your hair…you look more like a city girl.”

“Well. I’m not.” I glance at his coffee mug.Untouched. “Let me know if there’s anything else I can get you.”

“I will, Mira. Thank you.”

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