Page 39 of Finding a Melody
“There’s that fire. I thought I imagined it when you came to my diner.”
“You just hinted that I was being hunted. I’m not a duck.”
“No? Then why did a Ryder talk to you? Why are you so scared?”
“You saw that?”
“I was walking by. What dangerous situation are you getting mixed into?”
I glared out the window, my grip on the cup shaking until I risked spilling hot tea all over my hands. “There’s nothing happening.”
“And can you say with absolute certainty that the nothing won’t get Toby and the others in danger?”
That made me pause and I gasped, blinking hard as that realization washed over me. Would the Ryders go for them? I wouldn’t put it past them. There were a lot of horror stories that surrounded them and their foothold was getting stronger every day. Who knew what means they would use to get what they wanted?
“Cadence, what happened? Why are they looking for you?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t talk to him.”
“But he was looking for you, so you do have some kind of idea.”
I swallowed around the rock in my throat. “I can’t.” I shook my head. “I can’t.” I bit on my lip and blinked back tears. I thought I was safe. I thought I was in the clear. There should be nothing there for them to know I was involved.
“Cadence?”
“Why would I tell you?” I finally asked, feeling defenseless. “I don’t know you. I don’t know what you’re capable of doing or what you even want. There is no reason for me to tell you.”
He let go of his drink and crossed his arms. “Fair enough. Roman Davies. Feel free to call me Roman. Ex-Marine. Owns the diner you visited.” He paused until I met his eyes. “And sometimes, I help the police as a freelance specialist.”
It was like he was trying to tell me something, but deciphering the message was impossible.
“They said the Ryders are scared of you?”
“If you mean Toby and his friends, they aren’t exactly wrong.” Roman rubbed at the scruff along his jaw. “The Ryders believe that I can destroy them.”
“Can you?” I asked.
“If I’m motivated enough.”
I stood up, not willing to bare anything about myself to this stranger. He didn’t seem surprised. “It was nice seeing you. Goodbye.”
His hand snapped out too fast as he grabbed my wrist. True fear slammed into me, and I jumped back, yanking my arm away from him.
Roman’s hands went up and his voice lowered, immediately softening the moment he recognized my reaction. His mouth pressed together briefly as he slowly moved away from me, giving me the space I needed. I didn’t need to ask him, he simply understood, and there was no pity or judgment in his eyes. “Cadence, I can help. If they’re after you, I can make sure you’re safe.” He held out a card. “Don’t be afraid of them.”
I swallowed as I took the card from him, my hand shaking. I shoved the card into my pocket before taking off, needing fresh air.
I practically ran back to my car, gasping for air as I dove inside and locked all the doors. My hands continued to shake as I started my car and drove home, going in the opposite direction the Ryders gang member went.
The drive back home was a blur. All I could really remember was that when I pulled into Seth’s driveway, everyone came out to greet me. It was like I woke up from a dream. I smiled with them, laughed, and hoped that I wasn’t coming to the end of my life. The Ryders finally figured out I had a hand in helping Janice disappear. And I knew for a fact that their leader was still searching for her.
What did that mean for me?
Chapter Eleven
The students were determined to make sure I knew every single rumor that was spreading around about me. It was all too convenient when I’d walk around girls talking and suddenly their voices would rise so I’d hear about how I must love to suck guys off since I surrounded myself with so many of them.
It was cringy, disgusting, and severely demeaning.