Page 35 of Skid
Would he leave me if they said no?
I couldn’t put the cart before the horse. He hadn’t even asked me to meet his club or his family yet. A few minutes later, we pulled into the restaurant, and I saw Eddie’s truck already parked next to the front door. Walking inside with my hand in Dalton’s, I looked for Eddie and found him in the back corner booth with three coffee cups already on the table.
Sliding into the seat across from him, he reached out and took my hand into his as he inspected me for damage. I was fine, sore and a little bruised, but I fared better than what could have happened. I could see his guilt, and after everything he did for me after I arrived here all those years ago, I never wanted him to blame himself for everything.
“It wasn’t your fault, so stop beating yourself up. I’m fine,” I reasoned, and Dalton observed with his arm behind my chair.
“Grace, I’m sorry. I should have been keeping a better eye on things.” Eddie’s voice was filled with remorse, and I leaned over the table, speaking softly.
“You can’t always protect me from the world. Last night was a fluke, and I won’t have him,” I turned my head to Dalton before looking back at Eddie, “or you, blaming yourself for someone else’s actions.”
“I think you should take some time off from the bar,” he uttered, and I sat back, shocked.
“Are you firing me?” I croaked out, feeling tears building.
“Hell no. I’m asking you to take some time off. You’ve been working for me for years and you need a break. Besides, I got a call from a nice gentleman last night, and he’s going to be upgrading the security at the bar. Better cameras, additional security guards, and panic buttons for the staff. I need you to take some time and let me make the bar someplace where I know you’ll be safe.”
His eyes cut to Dalton, who sat up straight in his chair and asked, “Who called you?”
Chapter 13
Skid
Eddie offering to giveGrace a few weeks off was almost an answer to a prayer. I hated the thought of her going back there, knowing I couldn’t watch her every second. When Eddie met my gaze, I could tell he was on the same page as I was, but he was having to take a unique approach to get Grace to agree.
I also knew that Devlin and James would want to monitor the situation, and I was curious which one contacted Eddie last night. Offering an upgraded system is an expensive endeavor, and I wanted to make sure they let me pay for it.
“A man named James Callahan called me last night after you left and made the offer. I thought it was a scam until he mentioned your name, and I remembered Grace telling me about your job,” Eddie explained, and Grace looked at me with curiosity.
“James is one of my bosses, for lack of a better term. I called them last night to make sure there wouldn’t be any problems with the police,” I reasoned, and Eddie nodded his understanding. “If he’s making the offer, take it. He’ll give you state-of-the-art security and the peace of mind that not only Grace, but everyone is safe at the bar.”
“Why would they do something like that? I’m sure it’s expensive, and we don’t have a way to pay them back,” Grace questioned.
“No one wants to be paid back, baby. This is the Callahan’s way of protecting someone that I care about. They did the same thing at Sadie’s bakery a few years ago.”
“If you’re sure,” she said and turned her attention back to Eddie. “I don’t have to take time off while the new system is being installed. I’ll just be more careful.”
