The car took off, circled around the diner and through the parking lot. The windows in the truck were tinted. No one could see her. If they couldn’t see her, they couldn’t save her. She peered out through the back window into the diner. She could make out BJ at the counter and Melinda moving to the register.
Sadie turned back around in the truck, bowed her head as her shoulders sagged. She had no one to help her. She was defeated.
****
The truck was silent except for the low hum of the radio. Stone sat back and watched Sadie without her notice. She was too scared and focused on her lap to even notice his side stare. Her long brown hair had crowned her face, shielding her. He could still see her small nose poking out. Everything about her was soft and sweet. Even her voice pleading for him to let her go was gentle. He was a bastard for scaring her, but he had no choice. She needed to be scared, fear for her life. It was the only way to keep her quiet. If she went to the police, they could be fucked.
Her seeing what she’d seen complicated things for them. Witnesses were the worst case scenario for this assignment. They had all been off their game tonight. Usually, they were on point but tonight it all fell to shit. Now, Sadie was a liability.
Her knee began to bob up and down. Her face remained downcast and every once in while she would gaze out the window. Her knees both bobbed now and he could see her tremble. He reached out and rested his hand on her bouncing knee. She flinched and her wide eyes shot up at him.
“Relax.” His tone was sterner than he intended but he couldn’t afford to be soft, not now, not even for her. She glanced down at his hand on her knee and slowly her eyes met his. His heart beat faster as her soft brown eyes trapped him in her stare. She was breathing fast, and he could see her chest rising and falling at a rapid speed. He could also see a sliver of cleavage from the angle he sat. His jeans grew tighter as he got harder. She affected him in a way he’d never felt. In a way that wasn’t good.
He ended their moment by harshly pulling his hand away from her knee. He glared at her until she looked away, then turned his attention out the window. He cursed his weakness for this girl. His mind verbally ripped her apart. She wasn’t anything special. She was just a hot body with a pretty face. She’d just be another fuck on his long list. She wasn’t worth the risk. That was what his mind chanted, but his heart knew better.
Chapter Four
Sadie had once read, people who came face to face with impending death saw their lives flash before their eyes. They saw their family and friends who would be left behind after their death. Childhood memories became a vivid picture show. Monumental life achievements, their proudest moments, their purpose—all became surreal. In those few moments before the end they reflected on their lives.
It was as if she saw her life through someone else’s eyes. She did everything she could to blend into the background. She had never let anyone in because she believed she had nothing to offer, and everyone would leave eventually anyway. She’d never done anything amazing or extraordinary. She’d never lived for the moment. In full clarity, Sadie realized she survived life, but never really lived it.
And this was how it ended.
A blaring ringtone made her jump and move closer to the window. Stone grabbed his phone and hit a button. There were a few seconds of silence then, “Black Escalade, truck stop diner off I-80.” Another pause and then, “On the left back tire.”
He paused again and looked down at his watch.
“An hour, usual spot. Later.” He finished and hit end. He slowly turned to Sadie and she pressed back further into the seat. Their brief connection from before was completely gone. His predatory glare had her seconds away from tears and throwing herself out of the moving truck.
The truck rolled to a stop, jerking her away from Stone’s glare. She’d lost track of how long they had been driving, maybe fifteen minutes.
Bogs snorted. “Oh man, this is classic. A waitress who lives in a trailer? How original.” His voice was laced with sarcasm. Her face heated with embarrassment. She hated being made fun of. She awkwardly shifted in her seat and glanced over at Stone who was staring at her. His emotions were masked by his hard features. She’d come to expect an emotionless response but this something a different. He was angry, and she had the distinct feeling it wasn’t directed at her this time. His temple pulsed, his face tensed, and even his nostrils flared slightly. He jerked his head toward the front seat and drew his hand up, swatting at the back of Bogs’ head. “Shut up.”
Bogs hitched forward, grasping his head. “Ow, that fucking hurt, asshole.”
Sadie settled back into the seat and widened her eyes. Well, that’s interesting. Did he really just smack Bogs on her account? She peeked over at Stone whose signature scowl aimed at the front seat. Sadie lowered her gaze, turning towards the window. Very interesting.
T laughed and caught her attention. Sadie was able to see him in a side profile. He was bald but he shaved it rather than it being natural. His beard was short and trimmed. His lips
