Page 19 of Silver Sinner

Heat pulses up my neck but just as anxiety curls its claws into me, the bell at the door dings again and in walks the handsome, older man of my dreams.

Pierce.

And as always, Moses is right after him.

6

PIERCE

Moses moves past me in a quick stride to secure our usual booth at the back, not that there's ever any chance anyone else will sit there.

I walk more slowly, locking eyes with Layla and letting the warm intensity of her gaze wash over me like a gentle caress.

Everything about her takes my breath away every time I see her, and yet today it's different.

Maybe it's because I've finally spoken to her about more than the food on the menu, or because I can still feel the lingering warmth of her arm looped through mine. Whatever the reason, I like it.

Her gorgeous green eyes sparkle and crinkle at the edges as she smiles at me, her plump lips curving up with affection that seems only for me and no one else.

Certainly not Adam. That bastard.

A glimpse of him almost sours my mood and a deep pulse of satisfaction warms my gut to see the brace around his leg and the shattered remains of his knee wrapped up tightly in bandages and more.

An injury like that surely needs a cast, but it seems he's opted for some kind of brace instead. More fool him.

"Afternoon," I say gently to Layla as I move past.

Adam, upon hearing my voice, immediately tenses like all the pieces of his spine snap into place and he glances at me over his shoulder. I meet his wide eyes with a brisk, polite smile and then keep walking to where Moses sits with his familiar frown locked on the scene behind me.

"A-as I was saying…" Adam trips over his words and sends me another nervous glance. I hold his gaze as I slide into the booth while unbuttoning my suit jacket for ease.

Uncertainty flashes over Layla's face, and her lower lip shrinks slightly as if she's sucking on it.

"I'm sorry," Adam blurts out. "For what I did the other day. It was cruel of me to turn you into a joke and even crueler to make a bet out of it. You didn't deserve that at all; no one does. I'm really sorry I upset you and humiliated you, and it won't ever happen again. You have my respect and understanding, and I'm really sorry."

The words fly out of him in a rush and then, with one last glance at me, he flees from the diner as fast as he can hobble on his crutches. I track him all the way outside, where he throws himself into a waiting car and they race off down the street.

"Shit," Moses snorts, amused. "Almost thought he was going to shit himself."

"That would have been the cherry on top," I agree. Layla remains behind the counter, visibly stunned and staring out of the door after him. As apologies go, it wasn't terrible. I would have preferred more on the knees groveling for what he put her through, but as long as she's happy, then I am happy.

"Satisfied?" Moses finally locks eyes with me.

"Yes." I nod. Given the hectic few days trying to soothe the cartel and find out how the hell one of our tankers overturned, the familiarity of this place brings me a great deal of comfort.

The scent of coffee and fruit, the hubbub of busy noises, the old classics humming from the jukebox; there's nowhere I'd rather be.

And Layla is here.

She kickstarts back into motion by tucking a strand of dark hair behind her ear, grabbing her notepad and slipping around the counter toward us. The moment she smiles, my heart lifts eagerly and I find myself smiling back, much to the amusement igniting in Moses' eyes.

"Now," Layla says as she stops at her table. "I don't know if Pierce told you but your next meal here is on me, no excuses or exceptions. Except—" She points her pen at Moses as he opens his mouth. "No steak."

"What?" Moses' face crumples like a kicked puppy, then he glares at me. "This is your doing."

"Maybe."

"I like the steak."