indication of the shop’s future.
A few times over the course of the evening, she found Johnny watching her and she wondered if he was here to protect her or because he thought she was somehow involved with this so-called missing package. Or maybe he just really liked her bacon-wrapped appetizers. Ellie really didn’t want to believe he was suspicious of her, but Johnny had crushed her family when he’d had her brother arrested for dealing drugs. He had insinuated himself into her family’s lives to suit his purposes. Was he getting close to her for reasons all his own?
She shook away the thought. She’d keep her distance. She had no interest in a relationship, genuine or otherwise. But definitely not otherwise.
And she did feel better with him around. He did carry a gun, after all, and someone seemed to have a beef with her.
The bells on the door jangled and the last guest left. Ashley had departed a few minutes earlier, ducking out with her new boyfriend Tony. She had promised to come back early tomorrow morning to help clean up, but Ashley knew Ellie well enough to know she couldn’t lock the door without cleaning up.
Ellie tossed a few empty food trays into the garbage.
Johnny gathered up some cups scattered around the shop.
“Thank you, but you really don’t need to help.”
“I don’t mind.”
Ellie was about to say something then decided to let it rest. Even though a million thoughts ping-ponged around her head, she didn’t need to share them all with Johnny.
A crash sounded from the back of the store and Ellie jumped, splashing the contents of the punch bowl up and over the edge. Her mind flashed to last night: the man slamming her body against the utility sink; his calloused hand against her mouth. She gasped, a cold fear washing over her.
Johnny moved toward her, a concerned look on his face. He held out his hand, indicating she stay put.
Ellie swallowed hard as she watched him disappear into the storage room, her pulse beating erratically in her ears. A few minutes later he returned with a piece of paper. He locked gazes with Ellie.
Her stomach dropped.
“This was stuffed in the hole of a brick.” He pointed with his thumb toward the back door. “There’s a nice dent in the middle of the exterior door where he threw the brick.”
Tiny stars danced in Ellie’s line of vision. “What does it say?” The words rasped out of her dry throat.
She read over his shoulder. In angry black letters, the wrinkled note read, “Stop playing games or you die.”
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