chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE: 

                   Darcy's Pov 

"You don't have to be a dickhead all the time Shawn" I glared and his laughter rang out as he served the customer he was flirting with before I intervened. 

The blonde didn't seem like she was against his mindless flirting. If anything she looked like she would be willing to follow him home tonight, I shook my head diverting my attention from the scene and focusing on my task. 

My bar was everything to me, it wasn't fancy but it was everything I had ever wanted and dreamed of. 

I have always wanted to own something I can call my own, something I built from scratch. 

That wasn't given to me by anyone. 

A distant memory buried deep inside stirred and I struggled to school my expression as I stared at the glass of whiskey placed in front of me. I lifted my gaze and found Hazel, one of my employees, wink at me as she sauntered off with an empty tray. 

I had known what that meant, someone had bought me a drink but wanted to stay anonymous. 

Stupid if you ask me. 

My skin prickled with unease as a weird feeling consumed me, goosebumps spread all over my body and I looked around. 

My bar was big and very rowdy at night so it was easy to blend in... 

Someone was watching me. 

I left Shawn to his mindless flirting with the blonde. As long as he is working it doesn't affect my business, I headed back to my office and shut the door rushing to the cameras around the bar. I studied everyone from the crowd. 

Nothing caught my attention, no sign of anything out of the ordinary which is weird. 

I had felt like I was being watched and my instincts are never wrong. 

Have they caught up with me? 

I would rather die than let them take me back. 

I panicked and quickly called Xander's nanny, she picked up after the second ring. 

"Hello, Miss Callum?" Her young feminine voice called when she picked up. 

"Jasmine, is Xander with you?" I asked almost immediately. 

"Of course, we were playing with Legos before you called, hold on let me put him on the line," She said and I nodded as if she could see me, my eyes fell on the computer screen watching the footage on the screen. 

Nothing out of the ordinary. 

Calm down Darcy. 

"Mummy?" My angel's voice sounded a bit confused and I smiled. 

"Baby, are you alright? Do you need anything?" I asked him frantically and he sighed. 

"I'm fine, I was having fun with Aunt Jasmine before you called and you interrupted" He huffed and I chuckled with relief surging through me. 

"So you don't want me calling? Should I stop? I was worried about you that's why I called to check up on you" I remarked softly. 

"I'm alright, and worry about yourself too, my teacher told us how many sicknesses our parents can die from today and I thought about you. You don't take care of yourself Mommy and it's really bad, I only see you at night and on weekends you hardly rest" He nagged and my eyes watered. 

He was too smart for a six-year-old, he is going to be seven this year and it's also a reminder of how many years had gone by since I ran away from home, and why the hell did his teacher tell them that? 

"I'm fine, it's you I'm worried about" I replied. 

"I'm not a child, I'm a big boy. When are you getting back?" He asked and I could hear the frustration in his voice. 

"Soon, lemme wrap up here first. Love you" I beamed as I heard him mutter those words shyly before I hung up. 

Then my eyes caught the screen, this time the feeling of unease came back as I stared at the tall broad broad-shouldered man in a black leather jacket walking out of the bar. 

He can just be a local, but the leather jacket had my mind spiraling, why didn't I see him before? 

Unless he knew about the cameras so he stayed out of sight. 

Shit! 

That's not normal at all, and I bet he is not a local. 

I opened my drawer and took out the Glock from where it was hidden, I haven't used it since I purchased it and I had prayed I wouldn't use it. 

What if the man was just someone normal? 

Am I being paranoid again? 

I love this town and I have established something here. It's so far away from home and I made sure of that. 

But I also don't believe in coincidence, not when I had a lot at stake just one slip up then I will find myself thrown back into that life I left behind. 

I put back the gun and walked out of the office, I found Hazel serving a customer and waited for her to finish. 

She smiled at the group of males she was attending to and I watched her slip a piece of paper under the cup of one of the guys. I never placed a rule not to engage with the customers and now I'm starting to regret it. 

Flirting was good for business but nothing more than that. It leaves them wanting more, and coming here will be an addiction before they realize that they're not going to get what they want. 

But I guess my employees have forgotten that. 

She turned and froze when she saw me, I didn't say anything and beckoned to her to follow me. 

She probably thinks she is in trouble for what she did back there but I had no interest in whatever she wanted to do with her life. We entered my office and I sat on the desk while she remained standing beside the door looking down at her feet. 

"The man who gave you the drink you sent to me, have you seen him around before?" I asked and she lifted her gaze with a shocked expression on her face. 

"Ye-yes, I have" She stuttered. 

"I'm not going to give you shit for what you did back there, I know you need money for your college funding, I'm not going to judge you for any of that. If that's what you wish to do then do it. Just don't let it affect my business" I warned sternly. 

"Yes ma'am" She bowed her head slightly. 

"Now tell me about the man, the one that sent the drink my way" I emphasized. 

"He said you could use the drink, I told him you might not accept but he told me to give it anyway," She said an unknown glint flashed in her eyes as she looked at me then it was gone. 

Was that... Jealousy? 

"Was he the man wearing a leather jacket and black jeans?" I asked and she looked surprised before she nodded. 

"And do you recognize him as any of the locals?" I questioned further and she shook her head. 

"No I think he is new to town and he seemed to have taken a liking to this bar" She grinned at me and my brows almost reached my hairline. 

"What do you mean taken a liking to this bar? How long has he been coming here?" I inquired. 

"For two weeks every day! Isn't that great"

My eyes widened. 

Definitely not a local or a tourist. 

They've found me.