Chapter 2: Edge

2

EDGE

W hen Byte called and asked me to hang out at Irene's diner to keep an eye on things, I was happy to help. Irene was cool as fuck, and her food was some of the best I'd ever had.

Irene smiled and shook her head when she saw me. "I knew he'd send one of you."

"I can't complain. I consider this one of the perks of the job."

"I told him I'd be fine. Tony's in the back, and I've got a shotgun under the counter," she said.

I wasn't surprised. She looked like the kind of woman who would blow a hole through someone who tried to cross her. "What can I say? He worries."

"It must be something worth worrying about if Phoenix has y'all stationed up here."

"Are you fishing for information?" I teased.

"You know damn well I am. Byte told me a little bit, but he didn't have much time to talk and neither did I. You want a coffee or something to eat?"

"Coffee for now, please," I said and took a seat at the counter. "We don't know the details yet, but someone's been harassing Gabby. They thought it was a guy she went out with a few times. Then they thought it was Lauren, the girl she met here to study with last week. Now they think it might be both of them. The problem is the police can't find either of them, and neither can Byte."

"Oh, I bet that's eating him up," she said and placed a mug of coffee in front of me.

"It is," I confirmed. "He's been glued to Gabby's side since all this shit started."

"I don't think he needs to worry about me. Lauren asked about Byte and Gabby, but I didn't have anything to tell her. She said she was worried because she hadn't been able to get in touch with Gabby. I told her I would call Byte after I tended to a few tables, but the guy came in and they started arguing before I had a chance to call. He seemed pretty pissed off about her being here, so I doubt they'll come back," she said.

"Could you hear what they were arguing about?" I asked.

"Not really. He called her stupid and said something about her ruining everything. She said he was an asshole and was overstepping his bounds. He told her to shut up, and that's when I headed for their table. He saw me coming and practically dragged her out the door."

"I'm sure Byte's downloading the video clips as we speak."

"I have no doubt he is," Irene chuckled. "How many Blackwings are in town?"

"Three. Me, Diesel, and Ink."

"Let me know before you leave. I'll send you home with food for them," she said.

"I'll be here until you close," I told her.

"Seriously, Edge. You don't have to stay here all night."

"It's either sit here or sit at Gabby's house. Personally, I'd rather be here," I told her. I didn't mind hanging out at Gabby's house, but after a few days, it was nice to have a change of scenery.

"Well, make yourself comfortable. Let me or Evie know if you need anything."

"I don't think I've met Evie," I said.

"Oh, you probably haven't. She's new."

Irene disappeared around the corner and came back with a woman in tow. She looked to be in her early thirties with long, dark blonde hair, and two black eyes. Possibly a broken nose. Someone had done a number on her. Rage instantly filled me at the thought.

"Edge, this is Evie. Evie, this is Edge," Irene introduced.

Evie reached out to shake my hand. When she glanced at my cut, her entire body stiffened, and her face paled. "Nice to meet you," she rushed out, while her eyes darted around the room like she was looking for a way to escape.

"Nice to meet you, too," I said.

"He's a family friend. Be sure to take good care of him," Irene said before leaving the two of us at the counter.

"Can I get you anything?" Evie asked, keeping her eyes on the floor.

"What happened to your face?" I blurted. I didn't mean to ask, but the question had been on repeat in my mind since I saw her.

She cleared her throat and shifted from foot to foot. "Sinus surgery."

She was lying. It was written in every aspect of her body language, from the way she was nervously wringing her hands to the way she wouldn't make eye contact.

"Did it help?" I asked.

"Did what help?"

"The surgery," I said.

"Oh, uh, it's too soon to tell. There's still a lot of swelling."

"It looks painful. I hope it helps so you didn't go through all of that for nothing," I said and took a sip of coffee.

"It's getting better every day."

It would continue to get better if I had anything to say about it. I made a mental note to ask Irene about her. There was no way Irene believed her story about sinus surgery. I knew what a face looked like after it had been punched a few times, exactly like Evie's. Surgery my ass.

I wanted to demand she tell me the truth and give me the name of who did that to her, but I couldn't. Something about me scared her. I wasn't as scary as some of my brothers, but I didn't look like a pushover either. I was tall and muscular and had more than my fair share of tattoos. Add in my cut and a little facial hair, and I was the portrait of a typical biker.

"I need to check on my tables," Evie said quietly. "Let me know if you need anything."

"Thanks," I said and wondered what I should do next. I wanted to get her talking, but I had to proceed carefully. One wrong move would scare her off for good.

I tried to read a book on my phone, but I gave up after I read the same paragraph five times and still didn't know what it said. I couldn't stop thinking about Evie. It was hard to keep myself from staring at her while she worked.

Finally, Evie was busy with customers, and Irene was behind the counter. "What's the story with Evie?" I asked quietly.

"What do you mean?"

"Oh, come on. You and I both know those bruises aren't from sinus surgery. Somebody did that to her."

Irene frowned. "I honestly don't know what happened to her. She showed up yesterday looking for a job. Said she was new in town and was living in her car. So, I gave her a job and a place to stay."

"That's sort of your MO, isn't it?" I asked.

"I guess so. It's just a feeling I have when people need help."

"You think she's running from someone?"

"That'd be my best guess. She was looking for a job that would pay her off the books. Poor thing barely had any money. I didn't hang around while she unloaded, but it didn't look like she had much in her car," she said.

"Do you know her last name?"

Irene shook her head. "I didn't ask. I figured she'd tell me when she was ready."

"I know you don't want to pry, but it might be a good idea to know what she's running from in case it shows up here."

"I hear you, but she'll bolt if she gets scared, and then I won't be able to do anything to help her." She glanced at something behind me. "Do you want fries or a different side?"

I wrinkled my forehead in confusion until I looked over my shoulder and saw Evie approaching. "Fries, please."

"Got it. It'll be out soon," Irene said and turned to Evie. "You doing okay?"

"I'm good. I have three tables about to leave, two are waiting on orders, and the others are enjoying their meals."

"Good. You let me know if you need any help or want to take a break. I don't want you getting burned out and leaving me," Irene said.

Evie smiled. "I'm not going anywhere."

"What happened to Marcy?" I asked.

"She's been out sick. Evie worked a double shift yesterday and is doing it again today to cover for her. As soon as I find another server, I'm kicking Marcy's ass to the curb."

"For calling in sick?" I asked.

"She's not sick," Irene snapped.

I held my hands up in surrender. "My mistake. Marcy's bad. Evie's good. I got it."

Irene swatted my hands. "Where is your food? You need something to keep you occupied for a while."

"It's right here," Evie said and placed a plate in front of me.

"Thanks," I said. "It looks great."

"I don't care how it looks," Irene teased. "I want to know how it tastes."

"You're doing a lot of fishing today."

"I'm going to smack you. I am not fishing for compliments," Irene snapped, though I could tell she was enjoying our banter. She always did.

I picked up my fork and took a bite. "Mmm, this is delicious," I said, exaggerating every word.

"Keep it up, and I'll banish you to the table in the corner."

I laughed. The table in the corner was a running joke with Irene. She didn't want to waste any space in the diner, so she had a table made to fit specifically in the corner of the room. The tabletop was triangular, and the attached booths tapered to a point. It could only seat two people, and it was uncomfortable if said people were larger than an average-sized ten-year-old.

"Fine. I'll behave."

"You're distracting," Irene said and pointed an accusatory finger at me.

"You can't blame me for my charming, good looks. I was born this way," I said.

Irene laughed and shook her head. "What are we going to do with you?"

I shrugged. "Feed me."

She feigned exasperation. "I'm trying."

I returned to my food and covertly looked at Evie. She was standing off to the side, watching me. She reminded me of a scared animal, wanting to come closer, but too afraid to do so.

"Irene's good people," I said and kept my eyes on my plate.

"Yes, she is," Evie agreed.

I wanted to say more, but waited to see what she would do. Much to my disappointment, she left me to my meal and went to check on her other customers.

I tried not to let it bother me. There was plenty of time for her to warm up to me.