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AJAY'S SHIFT STARTED at five, just in time for the dinner rush. He was only ten minutes late. Plenty of time for a quick cigarette. Behind Copper Creek, by the dumpster, he took a long, wonderful drag and thought for sure . . . yeah, tomorrow he'd quit.
Maggie rounded the corner of the dumpster.
He took another hard drag and crushed the butt under his sneaker. "I know. I know. I'm coming." Ajay headed for the back door but Maggie held up a hand.
Ajay looked down at her palm on his chest. He eyed her.
"You pathetic, lying, weasel, piece of shit, scumbag, man whore." Drawing her hand back, she slapped him.
Hard.
"Women are not objects. Emily is not an object. And you are not good enough for her. You are not good enough for anybody."
He eyed her palm, still on his chest.
She removed it.
He smiled. "That all?"
"Don't put absolution for your sins onto her. That's a heavy load she doesn't deserve to carry. And the fact you'd put it on her proves you are the selfish prick I always knew you to be. If you care about her at all you'd never burden her with your nasty, arrogant, bullheaded self." She jabbed at his chest. "I don't want to work with you. I certainly don't want to live with you. But I will, for your brother, because I love him, but that's something you don't understand. You don't love anybody, not even yourself." She turned to leave and flung open the heavy metal door. She paused, glancing over her shoulder. "You're late."
The metal door slammed with a resounding thud.
Ajay leaned against the dumpster. He lit another cigarette. A slow stream of smoke lingered from his nostrils and the corner of his mouth. Maggie was right.
He was late.
––––––––
AFTER FINISHING HIS cigarette, Ajay went inside to start his shift.
Oh boy, was he excited.
Groaning, he rounded the corner and heard Emily and Josie talking in the break room. Memories of Josie's and his less-than-impressive fuck session flashed in his mind. He stopped just outside the room, and listened, rather eavesdropped.
"I thought you broke it off," Josie said.
Emms said, "It's complicated."
"If I'd have known, I wouldn't have . . ."
Don't say it, you cunt bag, Ajay thought.
". . . never mind," Josie said, "So you coming to my party tonight?"
"I'm not much on parties but maybe if I'm not scheduled to close."
"Great."
Ajay heard shuffling and what sounded like chairs sliding on the tile floor.
Emms said, "You know, Ajay's really not a bad guy."
Josie said, "I couldn't agree more."
––––––––
FUCK JOSIE. FUCK EMILY. Fuck Maggie. Ajay didn't need any of them. What he needed was to get the fuck out of this place. The walls were closing in on him. The air in his lungs felt constricted. A skinny breath whistled from his pathetic lungs.
But his shift had yet to start.
Ajay followed Cam behind a stainless steel counter. "Salma this is my brother Ajay. He's going to shadow you today. Can you show him the ropes?"
The stocky young woman with a net over her hair nodded. "Si, Señor Wolfe."
Ajay grabbed his brother by the elbow and walked him out of ear shot. "I don't speak Spanish."
"You speak the universal language. Work it. A little birdie told me she likes you." Cam slapped him on the back. "Get to work."
Ajay strode back to pantry. Salima handed him a hair net.
"What the hell do you expect me to do with this?"
She pointed to his head.
"Not in this life time."
Shrugging, she looked past Ajay. "Señor Wolfe?"
Ajay followed her gaze to where Cam stood, arms crossed over his chest, one foot propped on the wall behind him.
"You can't be serious?" Ajay said.
Cam stared at him.
Ajay rolled his eyes, letting out a frustrated breath. He lowered his head. After Salima wrapped his head, Ajay turned to his brother, his temper flaring at the huge shit-eating grin on Cam's face.
"Bueno," Salima said, her head nodding emphatically. "Bueno. Handsome."
Ajay looked back to his brother. "She speaks English?"
"Not much," Cam said, "I imagine she went out of her way to learn that word when I told her she'd be training you." He coughed a laugh into his fist.
Ajay turned back to the woman, giving her a rigid smile, all the while vowing revenge on both his brothers.
––––––––
"WHERE'S MY DINNER SALAD?" Carrie shouted.
Ajay slammed a black plastic bowl down on the shiny steel.
She grunted. "Supposed to be no tomatoes."
"Bitch." Ajay picked the balls of cherry tomatoes out and tossed them over his shoulder.
"Gee thanks." Carrie pulled the bowl from the counter. "Jerk."
"Side Caesar," Josie called out.
"Country Creek Chicken Salad," Sarah said.
"Dinner Caesar, extra anchovies." Mia tapped her fingers on the stainless steel. "Where's Salima?"
"She's refilling the dressings," Ajay said. He reached for a large rectangular bin full of torn Romaine lettuce.
Josie heaved a dramatic sigh. "How much longer for my side Caesar?"
Ajay grabbed a squirt bottle filled with homemade Italian dressing. He pointed it at Josie and squeezed. She gasped and jumped back but not before he soaked the front of her white tee.
"You're such a prick!"
Yes he was.
And he had no plans on changing.
He didn't need this fucking job. He had plenty of money saved. If it wasn't for Jags wanting him to work here for some fucked up reason, he would quit.
Now.
He never would've started.
He looked at Josie. 'Nice tits."
She glanced at her shirt where the oily residue had soaked through, revealing the curve of her breasts. Covering her eyes, she burst into tears and ran to the back of the kitchen.
He heard his brother's familiar roar. "Ajay! Get your ass in my office. Now!"
Ajay whipped the net from his head, pitching it to the floor and did the same with the plastic gloves. When he reached the office, he slammed the door behind him.
Cam dipped his head, gesturing to the empty seat across from him.
Ajay dropped in the chair.
"Josie's going home," Cam said.
"I doubt that."
"Now I'm short a server thanks to you. It would make life a lot easier if the people you managed didn't hate you."
"I like the cooks. It's just the chicks that piss me off."
"I beg to differ since you've only been home a few weeks and have already slept with half my wait staff."
"Give me another week. I'll get to the other half."
Cam's lips pursed. "No more cursing. No screwing the wait staff."
Ajay snickered. "You, telling me not to curse, what a joke."
"No more wet shirts and no more commenting on their anatomy. It's called sexual harassment."
"We've screwed three times. That earns me the right to comment on her anatomy. Besides if she didn't want guys to look, she'd have worn a bra."
"No more screwing the wait staff and no more cursing. Either do it or you're fired." Cam opened the office door. "Get out of here. You've done enough damage for today. Tomorrow you'll be on the grill with Jake. Be here at—."
That pothead loser? "No freakin' way."
Cam arched a brow.
"I'm not taking orders from that punk ass kid," Ajay said.
"Jake's a good kid."
Ajay scoffed.
"I see," Cam said, "This is about Emily."
"I'm not doing this with you."
"Tomorrow. Four o'clock. The grill with Jake." Cam offered his hand. "Brothers."
"Fuck off."
––––––––
JAGS LAY ON HIS BACK between Star's legs as they watched Fever Pitch playing on the flat screen. A frantic knock pounded on the front door. Star flinched.
When Jags opened the door, Ajay barged past him. "How you feeling?"
"Fantastic."
Ajay looked Jags up and down. He was bare chested wearing only snoopy cotton pajama bottoms.
"Get dressed. We're going to Critters."
Jags stretched his hand toward Star. "Star's doing fantastic. Thanks for asking."
"They're only open another five and a half hours. Move it. I have a bone to pick with you."
"How was work?"
Ajay flipped him off.
Laughing, Jags went to Star and leaned down to give her a kiss. "Can I go out dear?"
"Please do."
"I was hoping you'd say no."
"Aside from a few hours at work today, we've spent every minute together for the last week."
"That's not fair. I was out of it for most of the week."
"Jags!" Ajay barked.
"Alright. Alright."
––––––––
AFTER JAGS LEFT WITH Ajay, Star went to the closet. Hanging on the left side were several pairs of designer jeans. On the floor was a crumpled pair of beige stretch pants. She opted for comfortable and grabbed a matching oversized tee. She wound her hair into a ball at the back of her head and headed out the door.
Star had been cooped up, worrying and taking care of Jags. A night out would be good, even if it was just to drink ice tea at Copper Creek. When she arrived at the restaurant Tilly and Maggie were seated in a booth in the back.
Star slid beside Tilly and opposite Maggie.
"You look like hell," Maggie said.
Star glared at Maggie then at her sister.
Tilly shrugged. "Sorry. I have to agree with Maggie on this one."
Maggie waved Emily over. "Get this poor girl some food."
"Sure," Emily said, "What can I get you?"
"A tuna club would be fine," Star said, "Thank you. And an unsweet tea."
"Sure."
Maggie leaned over her folded arms. "So spill."
Tilly tilted her head, eyeing her sister.
Star huffed. "I'm so not going there with you guys. Besides I have no frame of reference since he's the only one I've been with."
Maggie waggled her brows. "You got give us something."
"I don't have to give you anything."
Maggie snorted. "Wench."
"I'll say this much," Star said.
Tilly and Maggie leaned in.
Star whispered, "He's a bit overwhelming."
Maggie rolled her eyes. "Please. We figured that much out for ourselves. Look at you girl. You're the walking dead."
"Remind me why I'm friends with you."
"Because you love my candor."
Star shook her head. "I'm certain that's not the reason."
Emily set Star's tea down.
After she left, Star said, "He's quite . . . romantic. It's kind of corny."
Maggie snorted. "Anybody would seem romantic compared to your last cold-blooded snake of a man. And be grateful for corny. There are days I'd kill for a bit of romance."
"Once again," Tilly said, "I'd have to agree with Maggie. I don't think Nate's seen the inside of florist shop. Ever."
"Yeah, well at least your men are . . . normal."
Emily set Star's sandwich down.
"What's up with you and Ajay?" Maggie asked.
Emily looked at Tilly. She looked at Star. Her gaze settled on Maggie. "I like him."
Simultaneously, all three women sucked in a breath.
Maggie tapped the seat beside her. "Take a load off. It seems you didn't take my warnings to heart."
Emily balanced herself on the edge of the seat.
"I don't bite." Maggie slid her arms around Emily's waist and pulled her into the booth. She waved Cam over. "Cut Emily from the floor."
Cam arched a brow.
"She thinks she likes Ajay."
Cam said, "You're cut."
Maggie turned to Emily. "Ajay's first kill was a young girl, somewhere around fourteen. One of the ex-patriots called for a prostitute. She showed up and tried to rob him. When she pulled a gun on the guy, he screamed and Ajay came running. He shot her in the forehead. It wasn't until after that he realized just how young she was." Maggie pointed to her own temple. "Fucks a person up." She patted Emily's back. "You can't save him."
Tilly reached across the shiny green table and grasped Emily's hand. "I can tell by your sympathetic expression that you still feel you can help him."
Cam slid beside Emily sandwiching her between him and Maggie. "You like Star Wars right?"
"Yes."
"Think of Ajay as a villain, sort of like Jabba the Hut."
Maggie rolled her eyes. "Ajay's a little easier on the eyes."
Cam slid from the booth. "Emily move and let Maggie out."
"Cam I didn't—."
"Woman. Get the hell out of the booth."
Emily scooted from the booth and let Maggie out.
"I'll be back in a minute." Maggie took Cam's hand.
"Not likely." Cam dragged her through the double doors.
Emily slid back in the booth. "He's not going to hurt her, is he?"
Tilly gave Emily a devious smile. "I think his intentions are a little more carnal than violent."
"Oh."
"Think of Ajay as Darth Vader," Tilly said.
"Really." Her eyes lit up. "Even Darth Vader is transformed to the good side in the end."
"Okay. The Star Wars analogy is not working," Tilly conceded.
"Something a little more extreme," Star said, "Ajay is the dark side, and you are the good side. Is that what they call it? Or is it called the light side." Star looked to Tilly but she just shrugged. "Anyway, you get the drift."
Emily slid from the booth. "Table nine's order's ready. I'll be right back."
––––––––
LIVE MUSIC DROWNED the commotion of the small-town bar. Seth, a mild-mannered man dressed in slacks and a button-down shirt, sipped his mug of beer. Ajay had met the guy years ago through Jags. Come to think of it, most of the people he hung out with these days he had met because of Jags.
Luke was no exception. He sat on the other side of Ajay. His boyish charm drove the ladies crazy but he was too much of a southern gent to take advantage.
Seth nudged Ajay. "You look like you're about to pop."
Ajay finished the last of his Jack and Coke. He lifted his glass. "Where the hell is the waitress?"
"She'll be back," Luke said.
Nate approached. He slid a stool from a neighboring table and shoved it between Jags and Seth. "You didn't tell me Ajay would be here."
Jags waved the waitress over. "What you drinking?"
Nate glanced to Ajay who was focused on the table. "What's your problem?"
Ajay stood and stepped toward him. "You."
Nate stood. "Why don't we take this outside?"
Jags stepped between them. "Not tonight. Not ever, if I can help it." He inclined his head toward their respective stools. "Let's be adults."
Kara approached, her shoulder length brunette hair pulled back in a barrette. Her focus drifted to Nate. "Something to drink?"
Nate sat on his stool. "Heineken"
Her focus shifted to Ajay. "Another Jack and Coke?"
Ajay sat on his stool. He lifted his empty glass over his head. "Make it a double this time."
Jags nudged him. "I think you've had enough."
Ajay glanced over his shoulder, his blurred vision attempting to focus on Kara. Her black shorts clung to her ass. Her low-cut tee hugged her double Ds. Cock tease.
––––––––
MAGGIE RETURNED JUST as Star finished the last of her sandwich. Sliding in the booth, she asked, "So, did you guys get anywhere with Emily?"
Tilly shook her head.
When Emily passed through the double doors, Maggie waved her over. Reluctantly, Emily made her way to the booth and sat beside Maggie.
Maggie said, "He'll fuck you raw and toss you to the curb like yesterday's trash."
Emily's sweet round eyes narrowed. "No he won't. I don't plan on sleeping with him or anybody else until I'm married."
Star covered her mouth, hiding a smile. Tilly snickered.
Maggie's jaw dropped. "In that case, go for it."
Cam approached. "Did you just tell Emily to go for it with Ajay?"
"She doesn't plan on sleeping with him or anybody 'til she gets married."
"Holy hell," Cam muttered. "She's a godsend."
"I do find him a bit overwhelming though," Emily said.
"Welcome to the club," Tilly said, "If things do end up working for you two, remember to lean on us. We've got some experience with overwhelming men."
"Yup," Cam said, "That's my cue."
Watching Cam disappear behind the double doors, Maggie said, "Maybe we should start a support group?"
"I'm pretty good on the computer," Tilly said, "I could make a great website."
"Critters?" Star said.
"I'm driving," Maggie said.
"Sometimes . . . " Tilly grabbed Emily by the hand. ". . . seeing is best."
––––––––
THROUGH THE CROWD, Jags spotted Star. He rushed toward her. Scooping her into his arms, he twirled her. "Hi Sexy."
"Where's Ajay?" Tilly asked, walking into her husband's waiting arms.
Jags expression turned curious. "Why?"
"Men's room," Nate happily offered.
"Why?" Jags repeated, drifting his focus to Emily.
"You damn well know why." Maggie ushered Emily toward the restroom.
"No!" Jags bellowed.
When Maggie reached for the handle, Emily grasped her wrist. "That's the men's room."
Maggie ripped herself from Emily's grasp.
This time Jags reached for Maggie's wrist. "I know you mean well, but this isn't the way."
"You have a better way to keep him away from her?"
"Can you just trust me?"
Maggie twisted the door handle but it didn't turn.
Jags exhaled.
Maggie marched back to the table. "It's locked," she announced to nobody in particular.
Nate stood. "Not for long." He pushed through the crowd and gave the old, termite infested door a swift kick, easily jarring it open.
Ajay stood behind Kara, fully dressed except for his cock which was pounding into Kara. He was kissing her neck, his hands up her shirt.
Emily gasped. Her hand covered her mouth. She turned and ran.
––––––––
THE LOOK OF SHOCK ON Emms face.
Tears in her eyes.
Cursing, Ajay pulled from Kara. He whipped the condom from his shriveling cock and zipped his jeans. He started after her but Nate grabbed his arm and flung him against the urinal. Scrambling to keep upright, Ajay grasped at the rim of the sink but his grip slipped. He tumbled back to the dirty floor.
Nate snickered. "Couldn't happen to a better guy." He turned and left Ajay sprawled on the floor.
Jags crouched. "Stop fucking up, asshole."
Ajay crawled to his feet. He pushed past Jags and ran.
Through the crowd.
Out the door . . . after Emms.
With no idea what he'd say, how he'd explain . . . he chased her halfway across the parking lot. Turning her to face him, he pushed her against a dirty yellow truck. Trapping her between his arms, palms on the cab, he lowered his head. "I don't want to hurt you."
She wiggled from under him and ran but he snatched her by the waist and threw her over his shoulder.
Punching his back, she shrieked, "Let me go!"
"You're going to hear me out." She kicked and flailed as he casually trekked two rows back to where his Jeep was parked. He lowered her to her feet. With his finger under her chin, he turned her head to look at him, his body pressed tight against hers. "Emms."
"It's okay." Wiping her tears with her forearm, she said, "Really."
"If it's okay then why are you crying?"
"I'm not crying." She shoved at him.
"Emms." His hands framed her face.
Emily looked over his shoulder and saw Maggie approaching. "My friendship is the best you can expect and right now even that's iffy."
Maggie shoved her way past Ajay and took Emily's hand. But Emily was sandwiched between Ajay and the Jeep.
And he didn't budge.
"Release Emily," Jags said.
Ajay pressed his lips against her ear. "Know this. I will have you." He pushed back. His bloodshot eyes watched Emms being dragged away by Maggie.
He turned to Jags.
Smiled.
Hesitated.
Then slugged him across the face. He grabbed Jags by the scruff of his shirt. "You said you saw us together!"
Jags shook his head, trying to focus his vision. "I don't know how . . . or when . . . or for how long. It doesn't work like that."
"I want her now!"
"Here's a thought," Jags said. "Try keeping your dick in your pants."
Ajay punched Jags in the stomach.
Jags gasped, stumbled backward, bent over, clutching his midsection.
"Jags!" Star rushed across the parking lot. Nate, Maggie and Tilly jogged behind her.
Jags straightened. He held out an arm toward Star. "It's okay."
Ajay clocked him in the jaw.
Blood splattered from Jags' bloody frown. Casually, with the back of his hand, he wiped blood from his lips. "Again."
Ajay slugged him in the rib cage. Jags fell to the ground, cradling his midsection.
"Asshole!" Star came at Ajay.
"No," Jags wheezed. "Sexy." He sucked in a strangled breath. "I got this."
Star whirled, facing away from them, unable to watch.
Jags crawled on his hands and knees before climbing to his unsteady feet. He patted his chest. "Again."
Ajay knotted his hands in his own hair. "Hit me, you pussy!"
Jags stared at him.
Ajay crouched, bouncing on his haunches. "Fucking hurt me!" He fell back, ass on the ground. "Please." A whisper.
Jags sat in front of Ajay, an arm across his torso, cradling his sore ribs. "Sometimes people and events are not what they seem."
"English please."
Jags leaned in. "Man. The. Fuck. Up."
Ajay glowered.
Jags continued, "By people, I mean you. By events I mean your future. Get your head out of your ass, bury the past and never look back. Never." He whispered, "You're gonna get him."
"What?"
"Become a cop. Find the cupcake killer. And end it once and for all."
"Cupcake killer?"
"Detective Felton said frosting was on the floor board of Mom's vehicle? Right?"
Ajay nodded.
Jags continued. "The police are keeping it under wraps but we have a serial killer amongst us. Mom, Mee Maw, Susan Fritz, Lacy Moore, Lottie Stoughton, Jewel Albright."
"Jewel? Susan Fritz?" The wife of Derek, one of the guys in the Hell Pack. Ajay hadn't talked to him in years, or any of the Hell Pack members for that matter. "This cupcake killer murdered all of them?"
"He's never left a victim alive. All he pursues dies."
The outcome of Jags' visions couldn't be altered. Everything he had seen over the years had always come to pass. Knowing the future was useless. Regardless, he couldn't help wishing he hadn't lost his gift of foresight and with it the chance of witnessing the cupcake killer's next victim in a vision.
Jags said, "Last month, I went to see Detective Felton to ask about new leads in Mom and Mee Maw's case. When we shook hands, I had a vision. I saw names. I saw blood and I saw a cupcake with chocolate frosting." He hesitated. "And I saw you in a police uniform."
Ajay ran a hand through his hair. He looked at Jags and laughed, a bitter sound. "Even if I were to pass the psych eval, I'd never get in. Not with my record."
"Leave that to me." Jags stood. He offered his hand.
Ajay accepted and pulled himself to his feet.
Jags clapped him on the shoulder. A coil of heat pulsed from Jags' hand, into Ajay's shoulder.
Warmth vibrated around Ajay's neck, down his torso.
Dizziness blurred his vision. An overwhelming sense of peace tunneled through his body. He stumbled, grabbing Jags to steady himself.
"No more hurting," Jags said.
Head in a daze, Ajay fumbled inside his pocket for his keys. "I got to go?" A question, not a statement.
"Yes."
Ajay jumped over the driver's door and into his Jeep. He looked over his shoulder. "Have I lost her?"
Jags smiled. "Never."