Rough Stuff (The Untouchables MC 3)

The killer did.

Chapter Two

Kelly

“Breakfast for dinner again, Mr. Debonay?”

“Thank you, Kelly. That sounds just fine.”

He gave me a sad smile, and I nodded, trying to think of something to brighten his day. He was such a nice old man, and so dapper with his little bowtie. The other girls had told me he’d been coming in for years with his wife, but she passed away the year before.

I decided to bring him a side of Jell-O with whipped cream, no charge. Better to bring it at the end of his meal so he doesn’t ruin his appetite, I thought to myself as I put in his order.

I cleared a few tables as we were short-staffed and took a few more orders before checking on another one of my favorite customers. She was an elegant old lady with white hair who reminded me of a little bird. She looked a lot like Jessica Tandy in Cocoon, one of my mom’s favorite movies.

Mrs. Buchholz was another sweetie who always ate alone. Her husband had been gone for a long time though. I looked at her dainty hands as she carefully cut her food and glanced back at Mr. Duhoney. I had a sudden idea. Matchmaking. It was getting crowded in here . . .

“I am so sorry to bother you, Mrs. Buchholz, but we are getting very busy. Would you mind terribly if someone sat with you?” I smiled. “It would be a huge help to me. I promise it will be someone nice.”

“Of course, dear. Anything to help.”

I bustled over to Mr. Duhoney’s table.

“I am so sorry, Mr. Duhoney, but we are getting packed. Would you mind terribly sitting with someone else? We have another one just over there.”

I pointed to the very pretty white-haired lady across the restaurant. He looked startled, then he shrugged.

“I don’t mind.”

I guided him across the room and then grinned at them stupidly.

“Mrs. Buchholz, this is Mr. Duhoney. Thank you both so much for helping me out. I’ll bring your eggs and fruit in just a moment, Mr. Duhoney.”

I scurried to the path behind the counter and grabbed the coffee, mindlessly refilling as I spied on them. They both looked a little stiff. I shook myself when I accidentally gave someone under sixty decaf. Usually, only the staff and the occasional non-senior drank the regular coffee, though we did get a few half-and-halfers. He scowled at me until I brought him a cup of the real stuff. By the time I looked up again, Mrs. Buchholz and Mr. Duhoney were smiling.

The rest of my shift flew by. I felt like I was walking on air. I’d seen Mr. Duhoney pay for both checks and then take Mrs. B’s arm as he escorted her outside. I just knew I had done a good thing.

I was a romantic at heart, even if there was very little actual romance in my life.

By the end of my shift, I still felt great. Usually, I was dragging my tush, but not today. I had a few hours to get home, shower, and catch up on homework before class.

The whole time, I had one sad thought, one little pin that burst my happiness bubble. Love was everywhere. Romance was everywhere. It surrounded me, literally. My brother was almost absurdly in love with his wife, Cassandra, and our other best friend, Michelle, was legit worshipped by her husband, Mason. I loved seeing them happy, but my matchmaking that morning made me think.

Why not me?

The answer was simple. There was only one guy I wanted and he was keeping his distance. No one else seemed interested anyway.

My problem was big, mean-looking, and incredibly sexy.

My problem was Cain.

Chapter Three

Cain

This girl is going to kill me.

I frowned as Kelly’s beat-up old hatchback made an illegal left turn. The woman was a menace on the road. She knew I hated breaking traffic laws.

She also knew I had no choice but to follow her.

Just like I’d been doing since the night we met.

It was almost two years since that night. The night she had refused to come home with me, even though she’d wanted to. Two years since the violent deaths surrounding my club started up again and I had to keep my distance.

Two fucking years of waiting.

We’d had a handful of dates that first couple of weeks, each one ending with her refusing to sleep with me. Then the murders had started up again. It wasn’t safe for her to be associated with the club. Her brother did a good job of looking after her. Unbeknownst to him, I was doing the same thing.

I tried to catch her alone now and then. Steal a kiss. Try for more. But the woman was elusive. She was annoyed with me and had been since I backed off. She thought I didn’t want her.