"Mina" Dom beamed pulling the woman off of Rowan "I can tell you all about how they met." Dom took Mina's arm and turned back to the main house as he told her the story. Rowan, thrilled to be back on his search, raced out of the compound and back to the motel.
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Walter was just getting off his shift at the motel when the black SUV pulled up. Walter's nightmare stepped out of the car somehow looking just as menacing in the morning light as he did shrouded in darkness. He tried to hide but he seemed to zone in on him immediately.
"Walter, don't try to hide from me. I just have some simple questions for you."
"Wh . . . what do you want? I ain't done nothing. I swear," Walter held his hands up and backed away from Rowan slowly.
"I just want to know about Layla."
"Sh . . . she's still here. Hasn't checked out. She did make a deposit for the week."
"Ok, go on then," Rowan rushed around the building towards room 201. With each step his heart beat quickened until there she was. Right in front of him. She was more beautiful than he remembered. They sunlight shimmering in her hair. Rowan's human and wolf sides were at war with each other. His wolf, tongue hanging out of his mouth, urged him to run and claim her while his human side knew he needed to wait. He was rooted to the spot watching his mate lock her door and run down the block. Gaining control of his wolf Rowan followed his mate at a distance down the block to a small tourist shop called Small Treasures. Keeping out of sight he watched his lovely mate through the shop window and began to formulate a plan.
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After Layla had liberated the green-eyed man of his wallet she had travelled through the city looking for a job and lodging. Searching every hole in the wall establishment she could find Layla finally found a small shop in need of an employee. It sat sandwiched between two other more prominent shops. The shop, called Small Treasures, sold worthless trinkets to tourists and those who couldn't hold onto a buck. It was tiny with few employees. The owner, a kind old man named Henry, was thrilled the moment she inquired about the advertisement in the large display window. She was about to give up and find a motel when she had seen the sign. The small bell chimed as she entered and the old man behind the register had greeted her warmly. Following a short chat Henry hired her without reservation. In the few minutes they had talked the pair felt like they had become fast friends.
The cash she had stolen the day before had given her the ability to pay for a room in a rundown motel that offered a bit of privacy and cheap prices. The motel was two blocks up from the tiny shop for which she now restocked the shelves. She pulled the tacky knick-knacks out of the Styrofoam packaging and placed them carefully on the glass display shelves. Snow globes and brightly painted ceramic figurines filled her vision but all she saw were warm green eyes in that handsome masculine face. The shock that passed between them haunted her dreams even now. After watching him disappear into the office building the day before she had not stopped thinking of him. He even invaded her dreams. At one point in the middle of the night she could have sworn she felt him nearby. It was excruciating for some reason knowing she would never see him again but she pushed it aside as well as she could. She knew better than to dream of the impossible.
"Sweetie, it's your lunch time. Go take a break. I'll finish here" Henry smiled kindly as he handed her the bag she kept under the register and ushered her towards the door. "I won't have my favorite employee worked to death on her first day. That would be most unfortunate!" Henry chuckled kindly adding laugh lines to his already wrinkled face.
"I'm almost done here. I have just one more box –"
"Don't be silly dearie I can manage. Go on out into the sunshine. There will be plenty to do when you get back in an hour" The old man hobbled over to the front door guiding the girl in front of him. She had only been working for him half a day and he could already tell she was a hard worker. He liked the dark haired young woman and was happy she walked into his shop when he needed the help.
"Okay, I'm going but I will take care of those heavy boxes in the back. I don't want you to hurt yourself"
"This old man's heart is touched that you care child"
"What are you talking about old man?" Layla joked. "I just need the job" she said as she skipped out the door pulling a well worn paperback out of her bag. Henry laughed as he shut the door behind her. She was a good child.
-----
It had been a long time since Layla had actually liked the people she worked with. Usually her job entailed perverted guys who couldn't keep their hands to themselves and buildings full of cockroaches. Small Treasures may not have been an excessively prosperous shop but it was clean and the owner was kind so she was happy to stay.
As she stepped out into the sunlight, book in hand she contemplated where she should go on her break. Her motel was close but she hated to spend any more time there than she had too so she made her way to a small café that had outdoor seating and indulged in a burger and chocolate milkshake with her meager funds. Content with her meal she settled down in the warmth of the sun to try and forget that handsome face and disappear into her favorite book.
The pages of the well loved novel were soft between her fingers as she flipped to where she had last left Edmond the protagonist. She had read The Count of Monte Cristo multiple times. She could tell the long story all the way through without difficulty and recite her favorite quotes as though she had written them herself. Yet it was the only book she carried with her everywhere she went. She picked up the novel years ago in an open trash can. The novel had already been well used and the cover jaggedly torn off probably the reason for it being discarded. But it was Layla's small treasure.
She had just endured Edmond's tragic imprisonment when her years of experience alerted her to the presence of someone watching her. Not wanting her watcher to know she had caught on to his intent gaze she continued to stare at her book. Trying to determine if her onlooker was a threat was difficult without the visual assessment but she listened intently and felt the tension around her. Living alone had taught her to be vigilant. She could assess the feelings around her and determine if there was any danger. Closing her eyes for a brief moment Layla reached out but it wasn't danger she sensed. She couldn't identify what it was but it made her slightly uncomfortable. Realizing she was due back at the shop anyway, Layla swiftly packed her tattered book back into her bag and left the sun warmed table of the little café to begin her journey back.
Passing through the crowded street Layla began to feel a little more at ease as she left her onlooker back at the café.
"Hello, Henry. I hope you didn't miss me too much," Layla called as she strolled through door.
"Layla dear did you have a good break?"
"Just fine thank you. I hope you didn't hurt yourself caring those boxes"
"No, no I left them in the back just as you told me. I swear you're a bossy little thing and here I thought I was in charge"
"I'm just looking out for you" Layla declared.
"Well, I'm stepping out for a moment. Watch the shop for me?"
"No problem Henry" Layla called after him. Laying her bag under the register Layla brought the largest of the boxes into the small store front. Unpacking the box of miniature ceramic animals Layla began placing them next to the cash register when her day dreams of the green-eyed man began again. Picking up a small black kitten out of the box she held it close unaware of the man entering the store behind her.
"Hey sweetheart," a low voice sounded behind Layla startling her out of her reverie. Turning quickly she prepared to defend herself before she realized she was working in the shop not out on a dangerous street.
"Oh, hello. How can I help you today?" Layla set down the ceramic kitten she was holding to give her full attention to the blonde man standing before her. Though he was smiling at her she sensed something off about the man. He would have been attractive if his brown eyes weren't so cruel and his presence was more threatening than the one at the café. Stepping away from the man, she made sure the baseball bat Henry stashed in the corner was in reach and kept an eye on the exits. She wasn't sure of his intentions but she knew from experience not to take any chances.
"Are you looking for something specific? Or maybe a gift for someone special?"
"Yea, I'm looking for something specific. I saw you through the window and thought a good looking girl like you would look good on my arm tonight. I am going to show you a real good time," the man said leering and reaching for her.
Swatting his hand away and inching closer to the bat Layla gave the stranger an incredulous glare.
"I sell ornaments and ceramic figurines beyond that I can't help you." The smile on the stranger's face waivered slightly.
"Sweetheart, I'm Marco," he said flexing his muscles in a way he must have thought was alluring "Girls throw themselves at me and I'm willing to spend my time on you. So I will be picking you up at 9. Where do you live?"
Layla laughed. She couldn't imagine how this arrogant man could actually think she wanted him. "Forgive me if I don't swoon, but I'm not interested. Now unless you plan on buying something, you need to leave," she said sternly preparing to return to work. Layla could see how her disregard infuriated Marco, his faced turned red, the vein in his forehead throbbed dangerously and his smile turned into a scowl. Striking out Marco grabbed Layla's wrist in a bruising grip dragging her closer to his imposing figure. Leaning in, Marco got right in Layla's face. "You will be going out with me. It's not an option," he sneered spit flying out of his mouth.
"Let go!," Layla yelled. She could deal with pushy assholes but this one had gone too far. Before he could finish his threats she punched Marco square in the nose feeling the satisfying crunch and warm blood drip from his face. Marco hollered and released her now bruised wrist allowing her the chance to lunge for the bat leaning against the wall.
"You bitch! How dare you . . ."
"Kitten, are you ready to go?," both heads turned quickly to the door in confusion. Layla's eyes widened and her mouth went dry as her day dream strolled into the shop. Warm green eyes gazed into hers taking her breath away. Layla stumbled forward instinctively preparing to reach out for him when Marco rounded on the man.
"Get out of here. She's with me," he yelled one hand trying to stop the flow of blood while the other waved furiously at the stranger.
Her green-eyed dream glowered down at Marco without a word. Standing face to face for a moment Marco's snarling expression became unsure, then he began to shrink towards the door.
"Man, I'm sorry. I just saw her through the window." The stranger continued to glare, arms crossed over his broad chest, as Marco sputtered explanations nervously. "She's hot I couldn't pass that up. But if she's yours . . . I'll just be on my way." By the time Marco was at the door his voice was barely a whisper. He held his hands up in front of his bleeding face trying to shelter himself from the powerful man's wordless threat then he scampered out into the street. Marco wasn't one to be scared easily but this man oozed a dangerous power. He'd have to make his move on the girl another time when she was alone. He considered just leaving her alone but he couldn't let some bitch best him like that and get away with it. He'd be back one day soon.