Page 22 of Silver Sinner

We eat quietly while Maddie colors and talks animatedly about a school trip she's excited to go on, as well as how her mom has fallen out with her friend and she hopes the drawing will make them forgive one another.

I learn more about Layla in the hour Maddie is with her than I'd ever learn from Layla herself.

Then, the bubble breaks as Moses gets a message and his face turns grim.

"We have to go."

"Can it wait?" I ask, helping Maddie color in a vibrant yellow eagle.

Moses slides his phone across to me, where a message from Adrian lights up the screen. We have a meeting with the cartel, and they're impatient enough to make it immediate.

"We really have to go," Moses says.

7

LAYLA

The cook's accident with a pot of hot water gets her sent immediately to the emergency room, which means I then spend ten minutes trying to get in touch with our boss to let them know.

When she finally answers, she tells me she'll be right there and to keep things afloat until she arrives, so that's what I do.

We reduce the menu to only include cold items that me and the other girls can whip up without the cook’s help, and get things running smoothly again within half an hour.

Unfortunately, my hope of going back out to the main floor to see Moses and Pierce playing with Maddie fades when I step through the doors and see Pierce sliding his suit jacket back over his shoulders.

They're leaving.

Moses walks Maddie back to her booth and sets her up with her coloring items again, while Pierce meets me at the counter and flashes me an apologetic smile.

"I'm sorry, Layla. A work emergency has cropped up and I really must go."

"It's no problem." I wave him off with a smile. "I hope Maddie wasn't too much trouble."

"Not at all. You have a delightful daughter."

"So they tell me." Laughing softly, I bring Pierce to the till. "Now this is on me, but if you need the receipt or anything to class this as a business lunch then give me one sec." The paper churns out quickly and I quickly mark off what I'm covering, then scribble my name at the bottom and hand it over. My heart drops slightly when I look up. "It's free."

Pierce stands there with a wad of cash in his hands and a warm smile on his handsome face. "This is your tip."

I can't count it all but even at a glance, I know it's too much. "Pierce, you don't have to."

"Please, I insist." When I don't move to take it, he leans forward an inch. "Buy something nice for your cookwhen she comes back. And something nice for yourself. Please. The meal was lovely as always, and eating here remains the highlight of my week. Let me tip how I please."

I should say no, but I'd be a fool to ever pass up a tip from Pierce. One month, he was so happy that he ended up paying for half my rent with his tips.

"That's generous, thank you." Reaching out, I take the money, and for a single second, our fingers brush against one another.

His skin is warm and slightly coarse to the touch, proof of his age and a life well lived, but something else jolts through me at that brief touch of contact.

A shock of energy that thrums up my heart and sends my heart racing in my chest, all while I'm unable to look away from his bright blue eyes.

"You're welcome," Pierce says. He looks like he wants to say more, but Moses appears behind him with a soft, sharp throat clearing that brings an end to our conversation.

"See you next time," I call. Both Moses and Pierce wave at me, then they hurry away. I stare after them for as long as I dare until an obnoxious woman snaps her fingers at me like I'm some kind of dog.

"Bill!" she squawks, and the bubble left by them bursts.

After sorting her bill, I check on Maddie and ensure she's got enough food and drink to keep her satisfied, then throw myself back into work.