Had Poppy been in that sea cave with Bobby?
The mental images were disturbing, I must confess. Not at all something a guy could take on an empty stomach. Although maybe I was just being an ageist asshole. Men and women of all ages had a right to enjoy their sexuality and far be it from me to shame them for getting it on in a sea cave if that’s what they both wanted. Seemed I’d be wanting a nice soft mattress by the time I reached their years in life, but that was just me.
Peggy Sue, for whatever reason, straightened out of the roundabout and headed into town, probably happy with the mess she’d left in her wake. One mangled bird, three cars backed up, an unhappy postal worker, and a scared-out-of-his-mind Bobby. Not bad work for seven in the morning on a Saturday.
Poppy quickly hopped in her work truck and went on her way, the rest of us following as traffic got going again. I fist-bumped Bobby as I passed him. I had new respect for that guy. He had moves all right.
By the time I hit Coffee, my stomach growled its displeasure over the late start and I was on the cusp of being hangry. Yedda flew past me as I climbed out of the truck, the cat hair flying off her as usual and leaving me in a thick cloud. I watched her dart across the street without a care for cars, hustling like I’d never seen before from Hazel’s granny. Huh. What was going on with the townsfolk of Hell today?
I was scratching my head as I entered Coffee, my brain full of thoughts of crazy citizens and how soon I could get Amelia naked again, which was why I missed the dark head of hair a few people in front of me in line. It was the voice that dragged my attention back to the present. A deep, grating drawl that belonged to the guy my fist ached to meet again.
Daire was back in town.
My feet moved before my brain knew what I was up to, a surge of testosterone ruling out any sense of not making a scene in public. The fucker stood there with his arms crossed over his chest, dress pants and a button-down dress shirt like he was some kind of slick salesman from the big city. He needed to learn we didn’t take kindly to his method of use and abuse in this town. We may not have fancy clothing, but we took care of each other.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I demanded, tapping him on the shoulder.
He spun around, one dark eyebrow lifting. Had to admit, he looked good. Strong, dark hair slicked back like an Italian mafia man, a jawline that’d make the ladies swoon. Which just pissed me off more. I knew why Amelia would fall for this guy. He was the Fifty Shades of Grey dude had he been from a crime family in Italy and hit the iron on the regular.
“Jackson.” He nodded and turned back around, dismissing me.
Oh, fuck no.
This time, the tap on the shoulder wasn’t polite. It was more like I spun his ass around forcefully, making Mrs. Trudowsky behind us gasp and move farther away. Smart lady.
“What’s your problem, Jackson?” he spat at me.
All eyes in the coffee shop were now on us, the tension palpable as we stared each other down. Lukas, Lenora’s little brother, came from around the counter to stand next to me. I appreciated the unquestioned support.
“You’re not welcome here in Hell. Go back to where you came from, Daire.” I kept my voice firm but fair. Gave him a chance to get out before I made him leave. I was feeling quite charitable despite the hunger gnawing at my gut.
He huffed out a laugh. “Tell that to your mayor. I got a meeting with him in thirty minutes.”
An overwhelming sense of foreboding washed over me. Meeting with the mayor? That could only spell trouble if the two of them were in cahoots. Amelia’s warning earlier about there being something fishy about the mayor took hold in my brain. I took a step closer, my chest now invading his personal space. He may be a little broader, but I was still taller. And it felt really good to look down at him.
“Thing is, the mayor doesn’t decide things around here. So whatever plans you have in mind, you might as well just forget about it. Ain’t happening.”
The little bell above the front door of the shop rang out in the silence. I didn’t bother turning, but I did hear a commotion behind me. People began to whisper and Daire’s gaze darted behind me. That’s when the evil took over his features.
“He and I got plans for a new hotel in town. I’m sure no one would be sad to see that fleabag Hell Hotel put out of business. I’d be helping your little town, Jackson.”
“Like hell you will!” Amelia’s shout rang out behind me.
I turned around to see her standing by the door like an avenging angel. Her hands were on her hips, her brown eyes flashing and her gaze locked on Daire. She marched forward, Yedda and Poppy flanking her backside like an elderly Charlie’s Angels trio.
I stepped in between them when she didn’t look like she had any intention of stopping. There was no way I was letting Daire get that close to her ever again. Who knew what the asshole was capable of?
“You know building my own hotel has been my dream since I was little. How dare you come back to my hometown and take away my dream just because your fragile little boy ego can’t handle a girl breaking up with you?” Whooee, Amelia was on a roll.
“LDE,” Yedda muttered to no one in particular. Poppy nodded like that made perfect sense.
“Where’s Waldo when you need him?” Poppy whispered back.
I
