Hell's Angel: Devil's Backbone (BK 2)

Rueben

Alison's POV
(bellamysgirl)

Humming along to whatever 80's pop song Chase had set up on the jukebox before school, I loaded up my tray with empty dishes from various tables around the Café. The breakfast rush was over an hour or two ago but it was never too early to start preparing for the lunch goers. The customers were scattered around the dining area with plenty of space between each of them. I collected what I could and headed back to the counter.

On my way, I glanced toward the front. It was a nice day out. It's been almost too nice lately. Thankfully I was able to afford an air conditioning system; otherwise everyone and everything in this building would probably melt and I'd be mopping us off the floor. I finally arrived behind the counter and unloaded the dishes into the sink. Mary sighed, ambling past me, and leaned into the front counter to my right. "It's been a busy morning," she exhaled.

"Very. Are you surviving?" I asked, glancing at her with a light smile.

She rounded her eyes a moment in a gesture. "Barely—at least this place has air conditioning, though."

"Amen to that." We both laughed. Working here with Mary has been fun. I was always good at co-working, social situations. But this feels like family. It's definitely a lot better than working nights at the diner. With that thought, I made a mental note to remember to call Betsy and catch up. I've probably waited way too long for that. The small chime above the door tinkled and Mary nudged my side.

"You've got another one," she said, tilting her head toward the door. "Looks kind of shady."

I sighed lightly. "We've had plenty of those. I can handle it. Be right back."

She nodded and I grabbed my pen and paper off the counter beside her. This new customer took a seat at the table closest to the front door, near the right corner of the Café. Mary was right about looking a little shady. Iffy would probably be the better term to use. Ball cap, heavy jacket, with that quiet/brooding vibe. To any normal, sane person it would be a little intimidating. But I live in Hell's Kitchen.

And it's not like I couldn't handle it if something went array. I'm more capable than I've ever been—thanks to Dani and a little help from her friends at S.H.I.E.L.D. I'd never taken any self-defense classes before, even though I probably should've, but it went better than I expected. More like I went better than expected. I inhaled and stepped up beside the table.

"Welcome to Angel's, can I get you anything?" I asked, putting on a polite smile.

He glanced up, just enough to see his eyes under the rim of his hat. He looked worn, weathered, with tired features. "Coffee, please. Black." His voice didn't match his appearance. It was deep and a bit raspy, but it was a light tone that seemed polite enough to almost pass for happy. I nodded once. "Alright. I'll be right back," I replied. I turned and shuffled back to the counter.

"So? Do I need to beat him up for you?" Mary asked, teasing.

I chuckled and shook my head. "No, sheesh. He just wanted coffee."

"Just coffee?" she raised an eyebrow, leaning a hip into the sink.

I went to the coffee machine and started filling a mug. I eyed her a second. "Just what are you getting at?"

"Well, a lot of good looking men seem to always come in just wanting coffee and there could only be two answers for that," she held up a finger, as if she were solving some mysterious crime. I sighed, turning to face her with the coffee in hand. "Either they are really just coming for the coffee, or they're coming for you."

I scoffed. "What? You're here, too."

"Yeah, but they only ever deal with you."

"Well, I'm just fine going solo for now," I chuckled. "So you and your bad Sherlock Holmes impersonation will just have to settle for the first reason." Her lips screwed up to one side in an expression but I ignored her with a smirk and headed back out into the dining area with Mr. Grumpy's coffee in hand. I hurried over and set the mug down on the table in front of him. "There you go. Just let me know if you need anything else."