Page 18 of Silver Sinner

My next shift at Frank’s is three days after Pierce walked me home and as I lock up my front door, I toy with the idea of saying something to him. He's never once broken routine, which hopefully means he and Moses should be turning up today. I should be able to give them a thank you lunch like they deserve.

"Mommy," Maddie whines at my side. "Let's go!" Her eyes sparkle with delight at coming to work with me, though it fills me with slight dread. As nice as my boss is, bringing my kid to work isn't a good look no matter how hard I work.

"I'm coming. I'm coming. Hold onto the railing, Maddie. I don't want you to fall."

She obeys and makes her way down the stairs, then she squeals in delight. "Amy! Are you coming to work too?"

I spin away from my door and spot Amy walking down the alley toward me with a soft, awkward smile on her face. "Hey Maddie."

Maddie reaches the bottom of the steps and races toward Amy, who leans down and gives her a big cuddle. She draws away by the time I join them and take Maddie's hand.

"Come on, sweetie. I have to take the car today."

"That old thing?" Amy jokes lamely. "Surprised it still runs."

"I don't want to walk with Maddie," I reply shortly. "Excuse me." Stepping past her, I lead Maddie toward my car parked at the opposite end of the alley. It's seen better days but it's useful for getting around, especially with Maddie. It's hard enough to wrangle an over-excited six-year-old, so with the car, I exchange the fear of her running out into the road with the fear of a crash. At least I can be in control of a crash.

"Layla, can we talk?" Amy hurries after me, skipping slightly in order to keep up with me.

"I have to get to work."

"Please. Look, let me take Maddie. I can watch her while you work, for free! Let me prove that you can trust me. Layla, please."

I ignore her until Maddie is safely tucked into her seat in the back of my car, then I face her. "Where are you staying?"

"A hotel."

"How are you paying for that?"

Amy's gaze falls away. "Drake."

"I don't trust you, Amy. And I don't trust a drug dealer around my kid. Leave me alone."

"Layla, please⁠—"

"I have to go." Moving past her, I climb into the vehicle and drive away, but Amy's face lingers in my rearview mirror. Having time to process what she told me, my anger has faded to a more sympathetic pain. She's going through a tough time and Drake is a hard man to get along with. As much as I love her and want to help her, though, she put Maddie at risk and I'm not ready to deal with that yet.

“Are you mad at Amy?" Maddie asks, staring out the window.

"Yes, sweetie."

"Why?"

"Because she did something that wasn't great."

"Oh." Maddie, seemingly satisfied, returns to gazing out the window with a smile, and we make it to work without any further questions.

After setting her up in her own booth with a coloring book and crayons, the start of my shift flies past. It seems every regular is in today, and they've all brought multiple people with them, so by lunchtime I'm already exhausted. Focused on the till, the ding of the bell above the door brings a pulse of dread through me.

"Be with you in a sec," I say while hastily counting out change. "Take a seat or pick a booth…"

Lifting my head, I trail off as I find myself face-to-face with Adam, the horrible man from my last shift intent on humiliating me for a bet. My stomach immediately drops to my ass, and my heart begins to race. In half a second, I'm hyperaware of Maddie, and I fear her witnessing anything like what happened before.

"Can I talk to you?" he says gruffly. It's not until he leans forward that I notice the crutches tucked up to his armpits and leg wrapped in a thick, heavy brace.

"I have nothing to say to you," I reply tightly. "I'll have one of our other staff take care of you."

"No," he snaps. "It has to be you."