Page 87 of Serpentine

It’s the first time he’s called me princess in so long that my stomach swims. I chew my sandwich as my fingers hover over the keyboard, my heart racing.

That’s precisely what I’m saying. Listen, last night, that was…

There are no words for what last night was. I have to agree. How’s your first day?

Good. My body aches, though. And I’m only halfway through my shift. I’m paired with a woman who has worked here for twenty years, but I don’t want to ask her too much on the first day, you know?

Smart. Integrate some with them and fit in before you sniff around. You don’t want to put a target on your back.

My last name already does that for me, I’m afraid.

What are you wearing?

Is this your way of trying to flirt with me? I’m in my Montague Inc.-issued uniform. It’s pale blue and made of over-starched cotton. Want a picture?

LOL, no, princess, I don’t want a pic. And yes, I was trying to flirt with you.

How’s Braxton?

Ask him yourself. 555-657-0122

I smirk for a long time before saving Braxton’s number. I decide to save it for later since the lunch break is almost over.

Thank you for that. I have to get back. Try to behave yourselves, hm?

Never, princess.

“Order number 201?!” the small man behind the counter shouts, and I look at my ticket, even though I know it’s my number.

Making my way to the counter, I pay and grab the sack of Chinese food from him with a bright smile, even though I’m bone-tired and my feet are screaming at me. When I make it outside and get my dinner loaded in, I’m glad I had the forethought to buy a few days’ worth of food, so I don’t have to do this every night.

Lord knows I can’t cook as well as my grandma did.

Before I know it, I’m home. I wait to ensure no one is following me before I pull down the alley next to the building and get out to head inside. I don’t know who they have on me tonight.

When I enter the alley, Kylo looks up at me as he pulls his helmet off. I hand over a container of orange chicken, rice, and an egg roll. “I didn’t think to get you a drink,” I say, feeling bad, but it’s not like he asked for food.

He smirks. “I have a container of water and a flask with me. I’ll be alright. Thanks for this.”

I nod, turning to head back towards the front of the building.

“You look tired,” he says before I’m too far away. “You sure this is the best idea for you?”

I know he means working my ass off at a dead-end job to get what Braxton and Miles need from my dad, but I turn and look at him as I weigh my following words.

“It is. And hard work hasn’t killed the people who’ve worked there for over twenty years. I’ll be fine. Thanks for watching over me.”

He nods, his face falling as if he’s just recalled something, and he puts his food down on his bike’s seat before rifling through the inside breast pocket of his leather jacket. He rushes up to me, handing over a card. “Blaze said you have his number already. But this is mine, in case you need me.”

I sigh, tension leaving my body. I always like it when Blaze or Sully watches me because they have given me their numbers if I need them. Even though they have keen eyes, someone could slip past them, and the idea makes me nervous to be alone some nights.

“Thank you, Kylo.”

Back inside, I kick off my shoes and dig into my food. Setting the burner iPhone onto the coffee table, I FaceTime the number Miles gave me for Braxton. It rings four times before it says it’s connecting.

His face pinches in confusion when it comes on the screen, but it drops away as he eyes me.

“Well, look who it is. How’d you get this number?” he asks with a rueful smile plastered on his face.