Invincible (A Kingpin Love Affair Book 3) by J.L. Beck Read Free Book Online Page B

that doesn’t mean I wanted to make it obvious, and it doesn’t mean I want anything to do with it,” I scolded him. I knew how people like him were. Jamie was the same way. They told you what they were doing was okay and it wouldn’t change them. They lied. It always changed them.
    “I’ll let you work until five, but then you’re out.” He decided, his voice never wavering. I smiled, happy that I would at least get a little bit of money.
    Eventually, his parents left, and the day seemed to move along well. The diner was quiet and even some of the customers were nice. It was a little before five when I started cleaning one of the booths out.
    I heard the opening of a car door and the slamming of another. All I could focus on was getting the salt that was stuck to the table off. Once I wiped everything down, I picked the bucket of water up and turned to greet whoever it was who had come in.
    The breath of air I had just taken stopped in my chest as my eyes lingered on a man I hadn’t seen in years. My chest constricted as I forced the breath down and another into it.
    A splintered feeling zinged through me as every single shred of hope fell from me. The bucket slipped from my hands and his striking green eyes stayed trained on mine, even as the water splashed onto both of us.
    His face still looked as beautiful as it had on the day he left. His chin was held high, a light dusting of stubble marring his chin. He looked rugged, dangerous, and the surprise that was showing in his eyes told me he hadn’t a clue I was still in this town.
    His body was built just as I knew it would be. Toned and firm in all the right places. Looking at him now I could see there was an edge to him. Except this edge was a different kind of edge. So different like if you got too close, he would cut you with it.
    With my vocal cords lodged in my stomach, I did the only thing I could. I ran. I ran as far and as fast as I could. As I took my first step, the memories overwhelmed me…
    “I promise I’ll love you forever…”
    “You’re my home, Tegan. It’s always been you, and it will forever be you. Do you understand me?”
    I shook my head forcing the memories away. Just like a dam under extreme pressure, I cracked straight down the middle. My chest heaved as tears stained my cheeks. Pushing through the back door, I fell to the concrete, the pain of my knees scraping against the ground a welcoming feeling. At least if I felt the pain somewhere else, I wouldn’t feel it in my chest.
    Who knows how long I sat there crying. The alleyway was quiet, and as time slowed down, I realized I wasn’t going to let him being here stop me from continuing on with my life. With the last drop of courage, I walked back into the diner, making sure there weren’t any fresh tears against my cheeks. I couldn’t let him see the evidence of his betrayal.
    “You okay, Tegan?” Tony asked me as I passed the grill to go into the front of the diner. I nodded keeping my head down. I needed to get out of here and fast. The second I made it past him, I ran to the spot I kept my belongings only to realize they were missing.
    “Looking for these?” Liam’s voice hit my ears causing a shiver of fear to run through me.
    “Tony!” I yelled, scrambling back until my body ran into the counter that was behind me. This time he wasn’t alone. No, now he had more men with him. Most of them were dressed in similar attire, their eyes void of emotion. They didn’t care, you could see it in the way they stood.
    “What the hell is the problem—” Tony came charging out of the kitchen only to stop a few feet next to me before positioning me behind him. I would like to say it made me feel safer, but it didn’t. If these men wanted something, they would take it.
    “The problem is, the girl owes someone we know a lot of money, and it seems her payments aren’t coming in fast enough. We are hired help, and we plan to take out anyone who gives our employer