Page 7 of Silver Sinner

Some days, I love how I look.

Not today.

The hiss of my zipper as I close my jacket is nothing compared to the soft rush of fabric when I walk.

Each step makes my pants brush together at my thighs and the sound's grown into a beacon I can't unhear.

I need to go home.

Turning off all the lights, I lock up the last door and head out of the dining room where I swiftly lock it after pulling down the shutter over the door. The padlock snaps into place and I pocket the keys, then turn with the intent of rushing home as fast as I can.

Instead, I remain at the top of the two steps leading down to the parking lot as a pair of gray eyes gaze at me from under dark brows.

"Layla."

"Pierce?" My stomach knots immediately. "What… are you doing here?" I'd hid at the back for the rest of my shift to avoid something like this, but now Pierce is right here, standing there with one hand tucked into the pocket of his pants. "Did you forget something in the diner?"

"No. I was waiting for you."

"What? Why?"

"I want to apologize to you."

The growing nausea in my gut at getting caught suddenly stumbles to a halt. "Apologize?"

"I heard from Moses what those little cunts were up to last week and it didn't cross my mind that it would occur again. Or rather, I should have acted before they had a chance so that you, or any other woman working here, didn't have to suffer their ratty game. For that, I am sorry. I could have spared you the pain of that experience."

"Oh. I mean… It's not your fault. They weren't with you and I mean, it's fine. I'm okay."

"Are you?" Pierce asks softly. I'm struck with a sudden sensation that we're the only two people in the entire world, and he's asking because he really needs to know.

"Yeah. It's… it was horrible, I won't lie. But thank you for stepping in. I probably shouldn't have poured water all over him. I didn't even realize I was doing it."

"He deserved more than that," Pierce replies. "But you're welcome."

"Yeah." I duck away and move down the steps, but Pierce doesn't step away. He remains there, watching me, and then he gently clears his throat.

"Let me walk you home."

"Oh, you don't need to. It's not far. I walk it all the time."

"I insist. After what happened, I would not be able to relax until I knew you were home safe. Please, let me escort you home. I insist."

3

LAYLA

Bringing a strange man home with me isn't the wisest idea.

But Pierce isn't a stranger.

He's been coming to the diner for so long that I look forward to his visits, and he's never treated me with anything but kindness and respect.

After he stepped in front of me with that asshole earlier, can I really refuse?

"Okay." Maybe it would be nice to have some company after everything that happened. "You can walk me home."

"Excellent." Pierce's handsome face pulls into a warm smile and he offers me his arm like the perfect gentleman.