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CHAPTER ONE
Ajax
“Okay, Piglet, time to go,” I say without glancing down at my daughter, making sure to keep my voice light and cheery, the exact opposite of what my body is. I’m tense, my body on full alert as my eyes track the man farther up the aisle.
I knew what he was the minute we locked eyes. It’s written all over his face. The way his eyes assess those close, the way he tracks anyone walking into the aisle, the way his body shifts as his woman moves. His face pales slightly as we hold our gaze. He sees what I see.
We’re the same.
He’s a killer . . . like me.
He walks his woman to the other end of the aisle, but it’s still too close for my liking.
He’s tall and broad, but I’m stronger, and whileI’d like to avoid it at all costs, I’m not above killing a man in a grocery store.
Anything to protect Piglet.
“Daddyyy,” Mary whines, drawing my attention. She lolls her head back far enough to pout at me without turning. My gaze flickers between her and the man leaving.We need to leave.
Placing my hand on the back of her head, I tilt it until she’s standing straight and facing the cereal we stepped into the aisle for. “Mary Lou, it’s time to go,” I repeat, glancing down at her briefly.
Her little shoulders sag.
A smile creeps onto my lips. I give one last look down the now empty aisle, happy that Mary is safe for now. I crouch down behind my daughter, then reach out to take hold of the end of her pigtail. Twisting her waist-length hair, I tickle her under the chin with it. Mary squeals, and her smile melts away some of my anxiety.
“You can have those,” I say, pointing at the obnoxiously bright and sugary-looking cereal box she’s been eyeing for the last few minutes. “But then we are leaving.”
I watch as Mary squints, looking at me through narrowed eyes. She twists her lips left to right, and I know she’s about to fleece me.
“I get to pick two things from the checkout.” She tries to bargain.
“One,” I counter.
“Deal,” she rushes, offering me her small hand.
Giving me a grin that I know mirrors my own, Mary shakes my hand with an enthusiasm that says she thinks she won. She didn’t. I’d have crumbled if she doubled down at two items.Anything to get us the fuck out of here.
“You’re too good at this. How are you only five?” I huff, feeding her pride.
“I know!” She smiles up at me.
God, I love her.
Chuckling, I twirl my finger above her head, and she spins instantly. Gripping her under her arms, I lift her to the top shelf so she can retrieve the cereal before safely placing her back down.
Using one hand to hold our basket, I reach out the other for my baby girl to take. With her hand secure in mine and the large box clutched tightly to her chest, Mary lets me lead her to the nearest checkout, a few tills away from him.
The length of the queue makes me groan.So much for a quick escape.
Keeping Mary close as we shuffle forward, I bite the inside of my cheek, pushing down the urge to tap my foot.
Finally, within reach of the conveyor belt, I try to distract Mary from the Halloween candy that’s now brightly marked as on sale. The last thing this child needs is more candy. Her Halloween haul had been an epic success.
The corners of my mouth tip up. She did make a very cute pig.
Pulling the cart closer, I ask, “Baby, can you come help Daddy, please?”
Mary sighs like only a dramatic five-year-old can. I find myself fighting another smile. My mouth twitches, but I keep a straight face. I won’t encourage her sass, no matter how cute it is.
