Page 9 of The Broken Note

Once Cadey is close to me, my body goes berserk.

Taking a deep breath, I control my thoughts and add, “Did you two fight?”

“No, we didn’t,” she snaps. Then the light in her eyes dims. “It’s complicated.”

I take note of her expression. It’s my first time seeing Cadence Cooper so defeated.

Even that first day, when she ducked away from my gaze and hid behind her textbook, there was still a spark. There was still a reckless courage.

But now?

It’s like the fire’s puttering out, on its last dying breath.

My heart tightens harder than my pants did. She’s squeezing the freaking life out of my chest. A sign that, whateverthisis, it’s about more than just sex and revenge.

Seeing her hurting is enough to stop me in my tracks.

Seeing her in pain makes me want to burn the world down.

I pass the beaten-down community center and push the door of a small pharmacy with my shoulder.

A man with dark skin and skittish eyes jumps to his feet. He sees Cadey being held captive in my arms, sees the angry look on my face and his body starts shaking.

“I-I don’t want no trouble,” he mumbles in a heavy accent.

I advance anyway.

The door bangs shut behind me.

“What are you doing?” Cadey hisses.

I ignore her question and set her on top of the counter.

The shopkeeper’s eyes widen.

Cadence scowls at me, presses one arm down and moves as if she’ll hop off. “I don’t have time for this. I need to find—”

“Set one foot on the floor and you won’t like what happens next.”

She freezes, her chest heaving and her eyes burning me to a crisp.

I hold her gaze, letting her know that I’m good for the threat.

Cadey backs down, but she’s not happy about it. Anger flushes her cheeks red and emphasizes the delicate line of her jaw.

The shopkeeper makes a sound of annoyance. “Hey, man. This isn’t a playground. And you can’t put her on the counter like that—”

I stick a hand into my pocket. His mouth snaps shut and he automatically raises both hands in the air.

When I take out a wallet instead of a gun, he sighs in relief.

Thumbing through the bills inside, I slam a stack on the counter.

The money disappears before I can blink and his tone becomes soft and accommodating.

“Would you also like to sit?” He gestures to the counter. “Sir?”

“I need medicine and band-aids.”