Page 71 of The World She Never Knew Existed

“Although I really like Jeeps, I think that I’m going to go with the Dodge,” Brent said. “There was just something about that truck that called my name.”

Dillon didn’t have to look to see that someone was standing behind him.

“I prefer Dodges, myself,” Dillon said. “That’s all I’ve ever bought for myself, although I do like the fact that Subaru supports so many worthy causes.”

“I hadn’t considered a Subaru. I might have to test drive one,” Brent said.

“I personally like my Hummer,” Raf said from behind Dillon. “I’ve never gotten stuck in a snowstorm in it.”

“They are awesome, but they are bad on gas milage,” Dillon said.

Raf sat down next to Dillon, and they discussed different types of vehicles for a few minutes before Dillon threw a twenty on the counter and told Brent to keep the change.

“Take care of yourself, Raf,” Dillon said.

He headed home, hoping that the mercenary had left on his own and that none of the shifters had anything to do with it. However, he was

“At least that conflict has been averted,” Dillon said, although the Faisons and the hunters didn’t need an excuse to cause one.

He was sure that the couple who had gone missing were dead. He felt helpless that he couldn’t have done anything to protect them.

“Something has to give, soon,” he said to himself.

25

Clara

“Clara, I’m going to head out and run some errands,” Jamie said.

“Okay,” Clara said.

Clara walked over to the nook where Zeke and Reno were watching a show on his tablet.

“I’m going to be in the back room for a few minutes,” she said. “I can hear the bell if anyone comes in. Are you going to be okay?”

“We’ll be fine, Mom. We’re watchingScooby Doo.Maybe Reno and I will solve mysteries when we grow up.”

“Maybe so,” Clara said.

She had a huge smile on her face as she headed into the backroom to take inventory on plastic cups, paper baskets, and other such things. Clara was just about finished when she heard the bell on the front door jingle. She set down her clipboard and turned around to head into the main room when she ran straight into John.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

“You’ve had your fun. You bought yourself a café and started seeing another man. Well, I’m tired of your crap. You are mine. You belong to me,” he snarled.

“This is getting ridiculous,” Clara said. “We’ve been separated for a year and a half. Our relationship is over. It is time that you figured that out and that you move on. Find yourself another woman. I’m sure that there is someone out there who will love you the way that you want to be loved.”

“Our relationship isn’t over until I say that it’s over,” John said. “I say that it isn’t over.”

“Why do you even want me? I don’t love you, and you damn sure don’t love me,” Clara said.

“You belong to me. You are mine,” John growled.

“No, I don’t. I don’t belong to anyone,” Clara said, trying to remain calm.

She tried to figure out how she could get around him and get back into the main area of the café. However, John was taking up the entire aisle. She could back up but that would just put her in a corner.

Her heart was beating a million miles an hour and her breath was caught in her throat.

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