Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 141428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 471(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 471(@300wpm)
“Devi!” the guy behind the coffee machine snapped. “What is wrong with you? Why aren’t you serving people?”
Hayes glared at the guy. What a jerk.
“I’m so sorry, Mrs. Dearsley. Seems like I was miles away,” Devi said, her voice thick with embarrassment or tears.
Maybe a combination of both.
Anger surged inside him. He wanted to kill whoever had put that look on her face. And then he wanted to take care of her asshole boss who was still scowling at her.
“That’s all right, dear,” the old lady said. “Some of us just want to make certain you’re okay.” The elderly woman glared at Devi’s boss who turned away.
“I, um, just didn’t sleep well,” she said. “Can I . . . can I take your order?”
She wrote down what the older woman wanted and took it to the coffee machine. The guy leaned in and said something to her which had her flinching back.
Hmm. She seemed jumpy this morning as well as looking terrible.
What was going on?
“Good morning, Sondra, Hayes,” she said as she returned. “Your usual?”
“Yes, thanks, Demon,” Sondra said with a wave of her hand as she walked away after leaving some cash on the counter.
Devi stared after her and then, to his shock, she grinned up at him. “Did she really just call me Demon? And she didn’t even flinch.”
Hayes could care less about Sondra. Which wasn’t a good thing when she was the client. He ran his eyes over Devi’s face. “Did you sleep at all last night?”
This girl needed a keeper.
“Of course I did,” she lied.
Yep. Definitely in need of someone to take care of her. She wasn’t sleeping or eating by the look of her.
And she was lying about it.
“Are you in some kind of trouble, Devi?” he asked, leaning in.
She leaned toward him. “Are you?”
Yeah. Loads of it. Because it felt like every time he was around her, he fell under her spell even more .
Maybe he should push for Kent to pull them out. But it felt like they were too deep into this. Stein was in trouble, although it seemed like he’d dug his own hole so he didn’t care much about that bastard.
But that didn’t mean that Sondra wasn’t innocent. And that she wouldn’t get caught in the crossfire.
And then there was Devi. He was worried about her. And he couldn’t remember the last time he’d worried about anyone since May died.
That would mean caring about someone.
He wished he didn’t care. Life was much simpler when you didn’t.
However, there was something going on with her and he wanted to know what it was.
“I can help you, Devi.”
She let out a small laugh that didn’t sound the least bit believable.
“Why would I need help? I’m fine. Usual coffee?” she asked.
Frustration bit at him.
“Lying isn’t going to help you, little girl. You’ve already got one punishment coming.”
“What is it with everyone wanting to punish me lately,” she muttered.
“Excuse me?” he asked in a low voice. “Who else wants to fucking punish you?”
He absolutely hated the fear that filled her face.
What. The. Fuck.
Was she scared of him? This girl hadn’t shown an ounce of fear or wariness around him until right now.
“Is someone threatening you?” he asked. “Tell me, Devi.”
“What would you do if they were?”
“Kill. Them.”
“Holy heck.” She stared at him then smiled. “You know, I almost believed you. Kill them. Good one.”
“I don’t know why you think that’s a joke. It isn’t. I can protect you, Devi. Just tell me who to protect you from.”
For a moment, he thought she was going to tell him. Then she shook her head with another laugh.
“That’s so kind. I don’t think I’ve ever had someone threaten to kill for me. Lucky I don’t need anyone killed you’re too pretty to go to jail.”
An odd look filled her face as she said that. Was she thinking about her brother?
Fuck. He wanted to demand that she tell him everything that what happened with her brother. About why she worked two jobs but still lived in a trailer with her alcoholic father. About who put that haunted look on her face.
About whether she’d ever been with a Daddy Dom before.
Not that he was interested in a relationship.
“Devi!” her boss snapped.
“Sorry, I have to get back to work,” she said cheerfully. “But it was nice chatting. Have a great day.”
Hayes watched as she wandered over to where that asshole stood. He reached out and touched her arm. She seemed to flinch. Was he hurting her?
“Hey!”
They both jumped and turned to stare at him.
“Don’t touch her.”
The guy took a step away from Devi and Hayes gave a nod.
Good. Well, it was a start anyway. He didn’t like her working for this jerk.
Why did she stay in this job? Why were her finances in such a bad state?
Unless she’d taken out a loan or something to pay for her brother’s defense?