Red Light: A Dark Stalker Romance (Book One) (Dangerous Games Series)

Chapter Twelve - Flick

Images of last night flash through my head as I regain consciousness to see the sun streaming through the window in Alanna's room. Patty was in one of the spare rooms, and Alanna lay curled up against my side. My entire body was aching like it never had before. I had spent whole days doing labor that didn't leave my muscles this sore. I was still in my clothes from the day before yesterday, having been too tired to get undressed to sleep.

I needed to get up. I had to work this morning. Turning my head to the side, I catch a glimpse of the clock and see I'm already late. As if on cue, my cell phone rings in my pocket. I fish it out and answer it groggily. "Hello?" I say and Doc's clipped voice comes from the other end of the line. "Where are you? I'm here for my breakfast and you aren't here to make it. Do I need to come drag you outta that poor excuse for an apartment Bissette?" I really hated working for Doc.

Ever since the whole Betty thing, Doc has treated me like dirt. I get it, she's his little sister. But again, I didn't do anything! When he bought the diner, I thought I would have to get another job. But he kept me on, I was the best cook even back then. But he's never stopped treating me like dirt. I rub a hand over my face and feel Alanna stir next to me. "Sorry Doc, I overslept. I'll be there in fifteen minutes." I say in return and Doc grunts on the other end of the line before he hangs up.

I groan and move to sit up, but my muscles don't want to let that happen. I pull myself up like I'm fighting against a ton of cement on my chest. Alanna makes a high pitched whining sound as she's knocked off my arm and fully awake. "Oooooowwwww!" She says and her hands go to cup her pussy. My cock wasn't exactly a happy camper either, but I doubt I had anything on her.

"Are you okay?" I ask and she nods with a pained expression. Not yet opening her eyes. "I have to go to work. Are you and Patty gonna be alright?" I ask and she brings a hand up to smack herself in the face and groans. "Patty's gonna hate me after this." She says. I sigh and heave myself off the mattress. I needed to go by my apartment and pick up some fresh clothes. I'd been wearing these for way too long. Part of me was worried about leaving Alanna alone with Patty, but I don't think she'll try to convince her I'm bad news again. I think they have plenty to talk about without resorting to me.

And maybe Alanna's right, and Patty will want to run out of this place screaming. Either way, I couldn't afford to get fired. I hold onto the bedpost as I get my bearings for a minute. Then I turn to Alanna and say, "I'll see you later, yeah?" She cracks her eyes open and meets my gaze before she nods. "I'll text you later." She says with pain radiating in her voice. I nod tiredly and make the long journey back downstairs and to my truck.

*****

I finish my burger and stare at my phone. I had been waiting for Alanna to text all day. Realistically, she had probably passed back out. But that nagging fear that Patty woke up and told her about me is eating away at me. It was three in the afternoon, they had to be awake by now. I stare out the window at the municipal side of the street and find myself standing and busing my plates before I remove my apron and head across the square to the library for the rest of my lunch period.

I needed a reason to contact Alanna first. The best reason would be one that excited her. Last night we had learned the name of Wolfe's obsession: Olivia Winters. It was time to check the Winters' space in the library. I make the long trek around the square and pull open the door to the large brick building. Gladys glances up from her book to see it's me and grimaces before she places her bookmark in her novel and waits for me to approach. "Hello." I say when I reach her. She nods in acknowledgment but the grimace never leaves her face.

I sigh. "I'm just gonna check upstairs, I won't be but a minute." I assure her. She nods again and opens her book, dismissing me. I glare at the old woman and head up the stairs. Walking to the back of the room, I quickly scan the shelves for 'W'. I find the right shelf and slowly walk through scanning for 'Winters'. Finally, I come to it. Their spot on the shelf takes up a significant amount of room. This could take a while. I start with the books. There are plenty of journals, but none belonging to an Olivia.