CHAPTER II

I spent the last two hours wide awake, gazing at the textured popcorn ceiling, my mind consumed by thoughts of my parents’ deaths and of Uncle Malik. He had been checking in monthly, but it was near the end of the month and I had yet to hear from him. I prayed that the men who killed my parents had not found him. “Please, Uncle Malik,” I whispered into the stillness of my room as if my words could somehow reach him. “Just let me know you’re okay.”

The alarm blared, and I turned to check the time—six a.m.

With a heavy sigh, I threw off the covers, and the cool air hit my skin, waking me up a little more. Stretching out the tension in my body, I chose a pair of dark blue jeans and a stylish off-the-shoulder cream sweater and then took a shower. After I was done, I entered the kitchen, where I flicked on my Bluetooth radio and connected it to my phone. I selected my favorite morning-mix playlist, and gathered flour, eggs, milk, and butter for pancake batter.

Just as I started measuring the flour, there was a knock at the door. I paused and set down the measuring cup and walked to the door. Standing on my tiptoes, I peeked through the peephole but didn’t see anything. I slid the chain off the lock, swung the door open, and stuck my head into the dimly lit hall. When I still didn’t see anyone, I shut the door and headed straight back to the kitchen and grabbed a few strips of thick-cut bacon from the refrigerator. I placed the bacon slices onto the hot skillet while I combined the ingredients for the pancake batter. Using a ladle, I carefully poured small circles of batter into the pan.

I stood in place and swung my hips to “Workin’ on a World” by Iris DeMent. I flipped the pancakes one last time and placed them alongside the crispy bacon.

After turning around to place the plate on the table, I let out a startled scream and threw the spatula at the intruder standing in my kitchen. He ducked just in time. “What the hell, Liam!” I exclaimed, gripping the counter behind me to steady myself. My heart was racing like I’d just spotted Michael Myers.

Liam burst into laughter, clearly enjoying that he almost gave me a heart attack. “Jesus, Winter. You scared the hell out of me!” he said, still laughing.

“Me?!” I gaped at him, my eyebrows shooting up. “How did you even get in here?”

“Your door was unlocked. I knocked a few times, but you were too busy shaking your ass to the music to hear me,” he said with a grin.

I rolled my eyes, trying to hide my smile. “Well, next time, knock louder or send me a text message.” I paused, glancing at the plate of pancakes and bacon. “Since you’re here, would you like to join me for breakfast?”

“Don’t mind if I do.” He smirked and pulled out a chair.

I sat across from him, my heart still racing a little as I picked up my fork. I pierced the pancake, and the moment it touched my tongue, the warm, buttery flavor exploded in my mouth, a comforting reminder of weekends spent in the kitchen with Mom, whipping up massive breakfasts just because we could. Cooking was her passion, but as the delicious memories washed over me, a familiar ache settled in my chest; missing her felt like a knife that twisted deeper and deeper. The pain threatened to overwhelm me, and I fought back the urge to curl up and cry. Thankfully, Liam seemed to sense the shift in my mood.

Clearing his throat, he said, “I actually came over for a reason, not just to eat your delicious food.”

“Okay, what’s up?” I asked, attempting to mask my discomfort.

“I was wondering if you’d be willing to teach my buddy’s niece how to play the violin. She’s been really wanting to get into music, and that’s the instrument she’s set her sights on. Do you think you’d have the time to teach her?”

I would love to!” I bounced in my seat, earning a chuckle from him.

“Cool,” he said casually, pushing up from the table and stretching his arms. He picked up his plate and juice glass, rinsing them in the sink.

Out of the blue, he wrapped an arm around my shoulders and leaned down to plant a light, brotherly kiss on my head.

“Thanks, Winter. You’re the best. Seriously, breakfast was amazing. It’s on me for next time.”

“I’ll hold you to that.” I winked at him.

As he headed toward the door, he paused and turned back, that familiar playful grin lighting up his face. “Oh, and don’t forget to lock up when you leave!” he called out. “You never know what kind of crazies might just walk in.”

“You mean like you?” I shot back, my tone teasing.

“Yeah, but I’m the best kind of crazy,” he replied. He gave me a mock salute before slipping out the door, the sound of his laughter trailing behind him.

* * *

“I’m here!” Tabi burst through the door, the aroma of pumpkin spice wafting in with her.

“Gimme, gimme,” I said, reaching out eagerly. I could already feel the warmth emitting from the cup as I took it from her hands. The steam swirled up, tickling my nose and warming my cheeks. This was one of the things I loved most about fall—pumpkin spice.

“No problem, girlie,” Tabi said as she dropped into the seat beside me.

I sipped my latte, savoring the rich flavor.

When I first met Tabi at Starbucks, I was searching for a job, and living in the big city with very little experience kind of sets you back from finding one. So, she recommended I apply at the strip club she worked at. I was shellshocked that I was offered the position on the spot and asked to work that same night. I hated every minute of it, but the money was good, it kept me hidden.

“Winter.” Tabi’s voice pulled me back from my thoughts. I glanced over, catching her fussing with her cup’s lid. “So, it’s my birthday tomorrow night.”

“Oh, that’s right. Are you doing anything fun?” I asked, taking another sip of my latte.

“Well... I’m going to the Luxe Club.” She peeked at me through her lashes as if gauging my reaction.

My eyes widened in surprise. “You mean the one downtown with the valet service and that endless line? You need an invite to get in, right?” People often said it was nearly impossible to score an invitation unless you worked there or were part of an elite circle.

“That’s the one!” Her blue eyes sparkled with excitement, and she practically danced in her seat. “I know someone who can get us in.”

The Luxe Club was practically legendary, and I heard a single drink cost as much as my monthly grocery bill. I mumbled into my cup, “I don’t know…”

“Oh, come on. It’s my birthday,” she whined, her playful tone shattering through my doubts. “What’s really stopping you?”

“It’s just… not really my scene, Tabi,” I tried to explain, but she waved off my concerns as if they were nothing more than a pesky fly buzzing around her.

“Stop that noise. You’re coming with me, and you are going to have so much fun.”

The thought of stepping into the nightlife scene and dancing sounded both thrilling and terrifying. It’d been far too long since I’d had a girls’ night out and a chance to escape my worries, even for a little while. But Madison’s warning about avoiding unwanted attention to myself echoed in my mind.

“I don’t even have anything fancy to wear,” I replied, my reluctance creeping into my voice.

Tabi’s eyes sparkled even brighter at the challenge. “We’ll make a day of it. Shopping, getting ready, the whole shebang!” She clapped her hands together, and I giggled at her childish reaction.

“Okay, fine,” I relented, and a wide grin spread across her face.

“Yay! This is going to be the best birthday ever!”

A flicker of excitement ignited within me, too. I wonder what the night will bring?