The Claim

Some Nights

It's been ten years since Eloise left New York and that day still haunts her memories every day. She had been running since then, moving from state to state, never staying too long in one place just in case her father is still looking for her, something she prays every night he isn't.

Eloise had been in Austin, Texas for the last three months and was feeling like she had finally found a place she could call home. She was renting a fully furnished one bedroom apartment and had gotten a job waitressing at a local diner doing the late shift from six pm to two am. All in all, things were starting to look as if they were going to be okay and that she could finally settle down for the first time in ten years.

Serving yet another customer, Eloise made her way to the counter where her co-worker and friend Ariana was. She smiled at the pretty brunette, before passing her to take a few dishes to the kitchen when the little bell above the door rang out, signaling that they had yet another customer.

Eloise heard Ariana tell her that they were in her section as she came out of the kitchen. Grabbing her pad from the front pocket of her apron, she made her way to the tall, dark haired man that was sitting in the corner booth of her section of the diner. She also noticed that there were two other men sitting at a table nearby, clearly keeping watch over the dark haired man.

- "Welcome to Delfine's. What can I get for you?" - Eloise said, as she stood next to the booth, pad and pen in hand ready to take his order.

- "Just a coffee for now, please. I'm waiting for someone."

- "You got it. I'll be right back with your coffee."

Eloise moved to grab the coffee pot and quickly returned to fill his mug. Telling him that she'll return when his guest arrives, she left the green eyed man alone and moved to take the other two men's order. They ordered the same as the first man and Eloise made quick work in filling their mugs as well before leaving them alone.

Standing behind the counter, she took a good look at all three men. The first one never took his eyes from the door, while the other two would take turns scanning the room. Taking a closer look, she realized that all three were carrying guns under their jackets. Eloise felt a shiver run down her spine, wondering who these men were.

A tap on her shoulder pulled her out of her thoughts

- "You okay Ellie?" - Ariana asked, seeing her so focused on the three mystery men.

- "Hmm? Yeah, yeah, sorry. I was just thinking about something."

- "Let me guess. You were wondering who they are."

- "Am I being that obvious?" - Eloise asked, worried that maybe they had picked up on that as well.

- "No, but it makes sense, since this is the first time they come in when you're on shift." - Ariana said, a nervous edge in her voice. - "So, that's Mr. Ackles. He's the local Mob Boss. If I were you, I'd stay as far away from him as you possibly can. The other two are his bodyguards. Take care, hon. They're dangerous and nothing good ever comes from getting mixed up with them, trust me."

Eloise watched Ariana leave, as she was called over by a customer, her words still playing in her mind. "Great. I left New York to escape the local Mafia and I had to settle down in a town with its own crime family.", Eloise thought, letting out a breath and shaking her head.

Her attention is brought back to Mr. Ackles when he signals for her, a few minutes later. Walking over, all she can think about is how she wished she could be anywhere but there.

- "It appears my friend is a no show. Do you have any pies?" - Mr. Ackles asks her, a warm smile on his lips.

- "Yes, sir, we do. We still got some blueberry, apple, pear and strawberry pie, all freshly made this morning."

- "Bring me a slice of apple pie, please, and the same for my men."

- "Will that be simple, with ice cream or with whipped cream?"

- "Simple for me, with ice cream and whipped cream for the guys."

- "Coming right up."

Eloise left and got to work on the pies. She kept thinking to herself that he was just like any other customer, she needed to treat him just like any other customer, otherwise she would have to move again and she really liked living in Austin. Coming back to the tables, she gave the bodyguards their pies first before moving to the booth and giving him his.

- "Here you go, Mr. Ackles. One apple pie slice. Enjoy."

- "Thank you. I see you know who I am. I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that it was Ariana who told you, Miss Anderson." - Mr. Ackles said, making Eloise mentally kick herself.

- "It appears that you also know who I am, Mr. Ackles. And yes, you're right, it was Ariana who told me. Is that a problem? Shouldn't she have done that?" - Eloise couldn't help the slight defiance in her tone. She was her mother's daughter after all.

- "Not a problem at all. But I would've preferred to introduce myself."

- "Well, we can't always have everything we want, now can we?"

Eloise walked away, kicking herself for what she had just said, sure that she was now on the local mob boss' bad side, when she heard him laugh. Looking back at him, she saw him still laughing and shaking his head, his men with smirks on their faces.

She took a deep breath and wondered if that meant that she was in the clear. The last thing she needed was to be on the short list of someone like Mr. Ackles. Although, she had to admit, she really enjoyed hearing him laugh. If she was being completely honest, she thought the man was a walking sin, with his apple green eyes and his long legs, dressed up in a sharp suit and with a smile and laugh that, for some reason, warmed her heart. She knew that, if given the chance, she would map out every inch of his body, but she also knew that that was as bad of an idea as it can be.

Once he and his men had finished their pies, Mr. Ackles paid and left, throwing a smile her way as he made his way to the door. Eloise couldn't help but wish that she would get to see him again, but quickly shook that thought out of her head, knowing how dangerous that was.

The hours ticked by and soon enough it was time for her to go home. After making sure that everything was ready for the graveyard shift, Eloise grabbed her things and said goodbye to everyone, before grabbing the trash bag and making her way out the back door to go home.

After taking the trash out, she walked towards her car and her heart almost stopped. Leaning on the hood of her car was Mr. Ackles, his men keeping watch not far from him. Eloise took a deep breath and walked over, not sure how this was going to go.

- "Can I help you, Mr. Ackles?"

- "Oh, I just thought we could have a chat, Miss Anderson."

That's how it all started. Such a simple sentence that had the power to change her faith in ways that no one could've had predicted. That night was the first of many nights they had spent in the diner parking lot talking about everything and anything.

They were both comfortable with each other and Jensen liked Eloise's honesty and "no bullshit" approach. She would speak her mind and wasn't afraid of calling him out on his own bullshit. At first, it was clear to him that she would refrain herself from saying certain things but as time went on, she loosened up and now there was a level of trust that definitely went both ways.

But things were going to change and her no-nonsense approach would be the catalyst for the storm that would come crashing down on them.