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I study her for a moment. The absolute last thing I need—or want for that matter—is to get involved in someone else’s problems. I’ve dealt with enough of my own. But if this woman is hurt and I leave her out here alone just because it’s easy, then I’ll never forgive myself.

“You thirsty?”

“I’m fine. I would like to be going.”

Just let her go, Mav. Not worth it. But if she were my sister, cousin, or anyone I cared about, I’d want someone to make sure she was safe. So, as much of a wrench as this is in my nighttime plans, I shove the knife back into my pocket.

“I’m going inside to do some paperwork. I’ll leave a glass of water and some food on the bar. You can either choose to come in for it, or you can leave. Your choice. Either way, please move the brick out of the way so the door closes.” Then, I turn and head inside.

Moving quickly so I can get into the back room and give her some space, I fill one of the glasses I just washed with water, then set it on the bar before pushing through into the little kitchen. Since I don’t typically serve food, there’s not a whole lot back here. But I pull some of my leftover pizza from lunch and quickly reheat it in the microwave.

By the time it’s done and I’m carrying it out, she’s sliding onto a barstool in front of the water.

“Here.” I slide the pizza over to her, careful to keep my distance. Because beneath the lights, even with her hood up, I can see that the bruising is the least of the damage. But who? Why? Was it a fight with a friend, or did some coward put his hands on her?

Anger has me stepping away and putting in additional distance. If it was a man who did that, then the last thing she needs is an outburst from me.

“I’ll be right over here, doing wrap-up. Let me know if you need anything.” I head down toward the end of the bar to force myself to focus on shutting everything down, but my gaze keeps drifting over to her.

She’s eaten the entire pizza—crust and all—and already finished up her water by the time I finish running the nightly reports.

“More water?” I ask.

“That would be great, thanks.” She doesn’t make eye contact with me, just keeps staring straight ahead.

I cross over and refill her glass, then take her plate and head back into the kitchen to grab more pizza. This time, I place two pieces onto the plate and bring it back out. She’s sitting at the bar, eyes closed, when I set it back down in front of her.

I’m just starting to walk away again when she sways to the side. Without thinking, I lunge forward, reaching over the bar to steady her. The moment my hand touches her, she jerks backward and falls off the stool.

She hits the ground with a cry, and I rush around, slowing right before I reach her.

As she sits up, her hood falls, revealing silky chestnut hair in a thick braid. The side of her face comes into full view, and I note more bruising from her hairline down to her sharp jaw.

“It’s okay. I’m so sorry. I guess I’m more tired than I thought.” She scrambles to her feet. “I, uh, will get going.” After reaching into her pocket, she withdraws a few wadded-up dollar bills and tosses them onto the bar top. “I hope that’s enough.”

“You don’t owe me anything.”

She retrieves her bag.

“Hey, wait. Take your money, I don’t want it.”

“You served me food.”

“It was leftover from my lunch.” I take the money and hold it out to her. Slowly, she faces me fully for the first time.

There are dark circles beneath her eyes. The kind of hollow look that you’d notice in soldiers returning from war.

The same hollow look I saw reflected in myself anytime I looked into a mirror those first few years after I’d gotten out.

“Take it,” I tell her as I hold out the bills.

Her hand trembles as she reaches forward, then takes the bills.

Hoping to put her at ease, I shove my hands back into my pockets. “Are you from here?”

“Uh, no. Just passing through. Thanks for the pizza and the water.” She rushes toward the door.

“I have a spare apartment if you want it for the night.” The words are out of my mouth before I can even process what a horrible idea this is. I have literally no clue who this woman is or why she looks like she just got done fighting in a championship MMA ring.