CHAPTER 1

“You good?”

I look up to see RJ, the tattoo shop owner, frowning. I’ve been drawing nonstop for the entire shift, but I have paid attention to customers. So I don’t know what he’s on about.

“Yeah, why?”

“You seem…I don’t know. Just off today.”

“Nope. I’m all good.”

His frown deepens, but he doesn’t say anything else. He turns instead and picks up a broom to start sweeping. We’ll be closing in about twenty minutes. That’s usually my job, but hey, if he wants to actually sweep the floor, who am I to stop him?

“Rachel!”

I look up to see Mari Williams come in, her ink on full display. She’s one of those I call obsessed. I doubt there’s an inch of her body left that isn’t inked. Yet she still wants more tats. She’s running out of room.

“Hey, girl. What’s up?”

“New club just opened in the industrial district. Thought you might want to go.”

“Nah, that’s not my scene. Besides, I promised my husband I’d pick up dinner on the way home.”

She pouts, her bright red hair bouncing in its high ponytail when she shakes her head. “I am determined to get you out and have some fun.”

I give her my brightest smile. Rachel Maddox is a bright, bubbly person. Mattie Hathaway has her own darkness I hide when I’m glamoured to look like my alter ego Rachel.

“You want to go to a movie, I’m down. I hate clubs. There’re too many people around. Makes my anxiety rear its ugly head. If I went, I’d have a panic attack, so I stay out of any place with lots of people crushed in together.”

“Boo.” Her bottom lip sticks out. “I need someone to go with me.”

Like me, she’d never go anywhere like a dance club alone. The two of us share a lot of the same values and ideas. She’s a survivor, just like me. She lived in an abusive home life and escaped when she was eighteen. Girl’s been on her own ever since. She works down the street at the diner where I’m picking dinner up. Place is a little gem that opened while I was back in New Orleans. Their meatloaf and mashed potatoes are Mrs. Banks worthy, according to Dan. Me? I just want a bacon cheeseburger and fries. They do a decent one.

“Sorry. Maybe try Dana? She loves to dance.”

Mari’s entire face brightens. “I forgot Dana. I don’t think she’s working at the bar tonight either. I’ll head home to get ready and call her.”

She leaves in the same whirlwind she came in with.

“That girl.” RJ smiles indulgently after her.

The two of them had a thing for a while, but they ended it as quickly as it began. I was here for it. It’s how I met her. They’re still on good terms. It’s nice when that happens.

His phone chirps, and he comes over to the desk to check it. He tends to leave it with me so it doesn’t interrupt him while he’s inking someone. He grins and holds out the phone to show me. It’s a picture of his niece, Molly, eating a cupcake. Dan’s brother and sister-in-law adopted the kid when RJ admitted he couldn’t raise her. Thankfully, she didn’t go into foster care. I’d have adopted her myself to stop that, but Cameron and Amy were wanting another child, so it all worked out in the end.

“She’s such a cutie.”

“She looks happy.”

“I guarantee you there isn’t another child alive who’s as loved as she is. Cam and Amy spoil her rotten.”

“I’m thankful they let me be a part of her life and send me photos nonstop.” He taps his phone a few times and shows me a folder labeled Molly. Inside there must be hundreds of photos. “I need to download them before my phone runs out of memory.”

“Amy wanted to know when you were coming down to see Molly.”

“I keep trying to fit into my schedule, but the shop is so busy since you’re back.”

“Nothing, not the shop, not anyone, is more important than family. It’s a lesson I learned the hard way. Don’t let the good years go by while she’s little without spending time with her. Close the shop for a week and just go hang out. Trust me, no one is going to complain. And if they do, they’ll deal with me.”

“You’re off tomorrow, yeah?”

“Yup. Me and Dan are going to go visit a few museums and then maybe a movie. I demanded a date night or day since it’s his day off, too.”

“You get Pistol’s design done? He’s coming in tomorrow.”

“Sure did.” I ruffle through my sketchbook and tear it out for RJ. He’ll be the one inking Pistol. The design is more military than most I do for the gangs, but dude was in the Air Force for half his life. He wanted that incorporated.

“Gorgeous,” RJ murmurs when he looks at the design.

“I was thinking. When Dan and I go back to New Orleans, how about I keep making designs for you?”

“How would that work with you there?”

“Zoom, duh. I can chat with clients remotely and send the finished product to your email.”

“Huh.”

For a guy in his late twenties, he isn’t very tech savvy.

“Well, what do you think?”

He locks the door before answering. “So, you’ll be Rachel on these calls and not Emma Crane?”

“Of course. People trust Rachel. Very few trust a Crane.”

He nods. “Good. Then if that’s something you want to do, I’d be more than happy to have you continue working.”

“Perfect. Now, let’s get this place cleaned up so I can go grab dinner.”

“You head on out. I’ll finish up.”

Last time he offered, I walked in to dirty floors and none of the stations prepped. I even cleaned them because I wasn’t sure he remembered. RJ is an amazing tattooist, but he sucks at the general tasks of running a shop.

“I don’t know…”

“It’s fine, Rach. Go enjoy dinner with Dan. I think I’ll clean up and then call and talk to Molly. Not that she understands yet, but at least she’ll know my voice and who I am.”

“As long as you try, she’ll remember that.”

He lets me out of the shop as soon as I gather my things, and I waste no time in getting in my car and driving to the diner. My order isn’t ready yet. I placed it a few minutes before RJ came out, but I did tell them not to expect me for at least thirty minutes. I’m early. The waitress behind the counter waves me off with a glass of orange juice. They know me here, and I love it.

It’s busy, so it takes me a minute to spot an empty table. It’s near the back and gives me a good view of the entire place. The black-and-white checkerboard floor pattern is a stark contrast to the deep green walls. The booths are comfy, and the place is clean. They have exceptionally good food. What more could a person ask for?

Looking around, I do my usual people watching while I wait. There are businesspeople as well as those dressed in shirts with their names and logos of companies. Lots of college kids are scattered throughout as well. It’s a place they like to frequent since the food is cheaper than a lot of the restaurants in the city. Don’t get me wrong, there are many places I love to eat in the Windy City, but sometimes a girl just wants good food and nothing fancy. That’s what this place is.

I sip my OJ and take out my phone to text Dan I’ll be home with food earlier than expected.

He sends me a smiley face back.

“Hello, Mrs. Maddox.”

Startled, I glance up and see a tall man standing by the booth. He’s dressed in khaki pants and a sky blue dress shirt. His brown hair is styled with a bit too much gel, but it’s not bad. Empty green eyes meet mine. I don’t know him.

“Do you mind if I sit?”

“Sure.” I wave him to the seat across from me. I’m curious to see what he wants. It’s not often a stranger approaches me and actually knows my name. “What can I do for you?”

“I was told you were the person to speak to about a job.”

“Job?”

He nods. “My employer would like to speak with you about it personally.”

“Then why isn’t he here?”

“She doesn’t enjoy this particular side of town.”

Oh, I see. She’s one of those snobby rich people.

“I have a car outside. I can take you to her.”

“Sorry, I don’t get in cars with people I don’t know. Stranger danger and all that.”

He frowns, clearly not understanding the reference.

“It will only take a few minutes of your time.”

I shake my head. “Sorry. If she wants to speak with me, she can come to me.”

“That’s not how she works.”

I shrug. “Her loss.”

“Here you are, Rachel.” The waitress, Tina, sets my to-go order on the table. “Carlos added fresh strawberry pie.”

“Ohhh, tell him thanks for me. I appreciate it.”

“No worries.” Her eyes cut to the man sitting across from me. “Can I get you anything, sir?”

“No.” He doesn’t even look at her.

Rude.

“Well, I’ll be going. Think Andy would mind walking me to my car?”

Her gaze flitters back to the man across from me. “Sure. Come on with me, and I’ll find him for you.”

When she turns to go back toward the counter, the man reaches out as if to stop me when I start to stand.

“I wouldn’t.” I let all the darkness I hold inside shine out of my eyes. “People who touch me end up in the hospital or worse.”

He puts his hand down. “It’s vital she speak with you.”

“We don’t always get what we want, now, do we?”

He sighs. “I will let her know that you refused her company.”

“Wrong. I just refused to get into a car with a stranger. If she wants to find me, I’m sure she will. Everyone knows where I work. I won’t be there tomorrow, though, but I will be the next day. She can come find me then.”

I don’t give him time to reply, just hustle over to the counter where Andy is waiting. He’s one of the busboys and the owner’s nephew, if I remember correctly. He’s in his twenties and going to college. He works a semester and goes to school a semester. It’s taking him longer to graduate that way, but he’s determined to get his degree.

There’s no more sign of the man when I get into my car and watch until Andy goes back inside. I’m not sure what that was all about, but I am sure I’ll find out soon enough. If people go to the trouble to seek out Rachel Maddox, the best thief in the underworld, they’ll keep looking until they get their meeting.

I’m just not sure if I want to know what they want. That guy’s eyes creeped me out. They were dead. No emotions whatsoever. A killer’s eyes. They reminded me of Kristoff’s eyes, which creeped me out even more. I don’t like remembering my time with the psychotic vampire if I can help it.

I’ll just have to be more on guard now that I know someone’s looking for me. I’ll call Evan and see if he’s heard anything. Usually, people either call me or the half-demon when they want to acquire something through illegal avenues. We’re the best at what we do.

But tonight, all I’m worrying about is getting home to feed my husband and enjoying our day off tomorrow.

Smiling, I hit the gas and head to our apartment.