Page 93 of Foxx
“Do I ask you who you’re spending time with?” I query, leaning back against the booth.
“That’s different,” he grunts.
“How?”
“You’re my sister, Mia! I worry about you.” We share a glance of mutual sorrow.
I lean forward and put my hand over his. “I worry about you too,” I admit, “but I don’t dig into every detail of your life.”
“Mason Fucking Tyler!” I freeze instantly. I’d know Dagger’s voice anywhere. It makes the little hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
He’s been following me, or Mason, and chose this busy restaurant to make his move. He’s going to tell Mason everything, right here, because he knows I can’t try to kill him in a restaurant full of families.
I open my mouth to speak first. “Mase, I need to—”
“And who’s this young lass?” Dagger asks as he shakes Mason’s hand, his beady eyes on me.
“This is my sister, Emilia.”
“Emilia.” My name drips off Dagger’s tongue like poisoned honey. “Nice to meet you.” He grins maliciously, offering a handshake.
I stare up at him, unsure of his angle.
“Mia…” Mason coaxes, and I gag as I take his hand, then pull back quickly.
Mason and Dagger chat while my mind races.
My phone buzzes on the table, and I glance down at it.
A
I’m back at Lavish. Meet me here. I’ll fill you in on my meeting.
I flip the phone over and wait for Dagger to tell Mason I’ve been working at Lavish and have been with Aiden all summer, but he doesn’t. He just talks to Mason, ignoring me.
“I gotta go, brother, but it’s been good catching up.” Dagger wags a finger in my direction. “You know, you looksofamiliar,” he says, toying with me, and I can’t wait for the opportunity to slit his throat. He thinks he’s smart, fucking with me, and I can’t wait to watch Aiden gut him.
“She has that kinda face,” Mason says. His brow furrows, and I know he doesn’t like Dagger looking at me any more than I do. Anyone can tell he’s creepy.
“Thatmustbe it,” Dagger says with an evil grin before backing up and disappearing out the diner door.
“Good fucking riddance. I can’t stand that fucking guy,” Mason grits out.
“Yeah, no shit,” I answer. I take the last sip of my orange juice and glance at the door. I need to get the fuck out of here and tell Aiden that Dagger was here.
“Be fucking honest with me,” Mason says, watching my expression as the server brings the check. “Are you okay, really?”
A pang of guilt flashes through me, but I know I can’t tell Mason, not until Dagger is dead, and the faster I get out of here, the faster that might happen.
“I’m okay. Just trying to keep as busy as I can.” I hope at least that honesty will satisfy him.
He pulls money from his wallet and drops it on the receipt.“It’s been good being out of state,” he admits. “Nothing in Virginia reminds me of her.”
I realize that’s part of the reason it’s been easier to be with Aiden. Nothing about my life since I met him resembles my life before Nic died.
I promise to stop in and see Mason again before he leaves on Sunday, and then I can’t get out of the restaurant fast enough. I’m rushing so quickly to get to my car that I don’t notice the black bike still parked in the lot, right beside Mason’s, with the custom dagger painted on the gas tank.
Chapter 51
