I raced into the walk-in, lifting heavy crates out of the way, attempting to get to the back corner. How on earth we ran out of Absolut was beyond me. We generally had enough of that stuff to fill a kiddie pool. Several minutes passed and I’d shoved everything around before finally locating a case of it on the floor. Heaving it up, I walked out of the cold room and kicked the door shut with my foot. When I walked back out to the bar, I was just about to sit the box down on the counter when my eyes landed on a set of brown pits I never thought I’d see again.
Adam was sitting on a bar stool between Timber and Slim. I didn’t even manage to make it the last steps to the counter when the box slipped out of my hands and went crashing to the floor. Vodka seeped out of the cardboard sides, pooling around my feet and under the rubber mats I was standing on. I was held captive by his terrifying dark eyes and rooted on the spot. Adam looked absolutely menacing. I saw the knowing look on his face.
He’d come back for me.
It felt like every ounce of air had been sucked out of the room, and I couldn’t breathe. I had no conception of time and I hadn’t a clue how long I’d been standing there. Eventually, most everyone continued on with their conversations and ignored the girl who’d spilled the alcohol. I was vaguely aware that someone was saying my name, but nothing was breaking through the trance I was in.
Adam continued his visual assault on my nerves. He knew he was affecting me, paralyzing me until I felt like I needed to throw up. The little hairs on my body were standing straight up and I was fighting the instinct to run. The monster of my dreams was sitting in my bar, looking at me, and I was utterly frozen. He still looked as cold and calculating as he had six years ago. The only difference was that he’d traded the football jersey for a suit. It didn’t matter, though. None of it did. He was here to destroy me. To take away any ounce of sanity and happiness I’d built after our last encounter and shred it to pieces.
Something touched my forearm and I gasped loudly, my hand flying to my mouth. I almost screamed, but my palm muffled the sound. I looked to the thing that touched me and met familiar blue eyes. Every inch of Timber’s face was etched with concern. He searched my eyes, trying to see if I was okay, but he had no idea of the storm that was brewing in my body. I couldn’t have managed to utter a word right then if I’d wanted to.
“Kat?” His deep voice questioned. Was this what he wanted to talk to me about? Had he run into Adam while out at dinner and he’d wanted to tell me about it before he came in? He had to have known I wouldn’t be happy about seeing him, but there was no way he knew that Adam was my worst fear come alive. I’d never told him a name. And, standing here now, I was pretty sure I’d never planned on it.
I’d hoped that Timber would accept what happened to me and we would move on. I’d been in total denial. And now, I was feeling like the most naïve person on the planet for thinking that I could escape Adam. He’d threatened me. He’d told me he would never be too far. Just when I‘d gotten a shot at happiness, my solid ground was taken out from under me.
“Kat.” Timber wasn’t asking for my attention now, he was demanding it.
“What?” I was such a mess. I bit down on my tongue to prevent the tears I knew wanted to form in my eyes. Mel was standing off to the side, looking every bit as concerned as Timber did.
“Do you feel okay?” her soft voice chimed.
I didn’t take my eyes from the crystal colored ones looking at me. Whether he realized it or not, he was the only thing holding me together. “I’m fine.” My voice had a slight edge to it, but Mel got the picture that something was going on, but it didn’t involve her. She picked up a tray of glasses and set about serving the customers. I knew she would be keeping an eye on me, though. Beaver was also watching me, probably deciding if he should help. He wisely kept his seat at the front door and let Timber deal with me.
“Hello, Katherine,” Adam spoke.
Everything I’d eaten that day was sitting in the back of my throat threatening to come out. I gritted my teeth to keep them from chattering. As much as it pained me to tear my eyes from Timber, I did. I leveled my gaze on Adam.
“Adam,” I said curtly. He raised an eyebrow at my tone.
“It’s been a long time. Too long, actually. You look… different.”
“Not long enough,” I said, no louder than a whisper. His eyes narrowed. He’d heard me. “I suppose I’ve changed.”
He leaned forward, his chin perched on his thumb and pointer finger over his lips. “Yes, you certainly have.”