Chapter 4.

Teagan POV.

Shit, that was fucking close. I knew exactly who he was, but I had to play dumb and I know he bought it. I can feel his eyes on me as I lean over the bar to give Sarah the order. My skin heats and prickles as I push my ass out and arch my back. I hear him groan before he walks away, talking into his cell.

I release the breath I didn’t know I was holding and Sarah looks at me with a wink and a smirk.

“It looks like you are now his target, Bobbi. There is no running away.” She says as she passes me the tray and I take it from her with a smile.

“Who said I would run?” I wink at her and she laughs as I turn and my smile drops and a wicked smirk lines my face before I remember where I am and he is no doubt watching, so I slip back into character and work the room again.

I didn’t see him again for the rest of the night. At the end of the shift, I collected my tips and changed back, ready to go home.

I said goodnight to the staff and left the premises. The bouncer on the door. Walked me to my car and waited until I was safely inside before he walked back to the club as I drove away.

Once home, I need a shower. I need to wash the smell of alcohol and sweat off my skin and have to get some sleep. Lucifer is waiting at the door when I stumble in. He doesn’t bark; he greets me and I stroke him and walk through the house to the back door to let him out.

Grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge, I lean against the counter and look at the clock. It’s three in the morning and I sigh. Shuffling to the back door to let him in. Once he is in, I shut and lock the door. Heading upstairs, I begin to strip down and head to the bathroom. I don’t bother taking the makeup off.

I peel the lashes off and turn the shower on. I enter the shower and get washed and shampoo my hair; I wash my face and I feel better. Leaving the shower, I brush my teeth and put my moisturiser on my face and body. Pull on my sleep shorts and wobble through to my bedroom and flop down on the bed.

Crawling under the quilt, Lucifer takes up his spot next to me and I fall asleep.

Waking to a wet snout and a whine, I groan and roll over. It is like having a child. He nudges me with his snout, then his paws. I ignore him again when the air leaves my body with a whoosh and a heavy weight pressed down on my back.

“Let me up, Lucifer.” The evil pup is lying on top of me and he is a heavy bugger.

“Lucifer! Move!” I shout and the weight goes and I hear him jump down onto the hardwood floor. His claws click against it.

“Fine, I’m up.” I rip the quilt away and grab my dressing down and pull my arms through and put my slippers on my feet as I walk towards the stairs and down to let the shithead out.

“Go on, git.” I usher him out and slam the door behind him. I rub my eyes and look at the clock. It is ten in the morning and I lean my head back against the door before pushing off and making coffee.

I also prepare his breakfast and put it down for when he comes back in. Leaning against the counter, I sip the goodness and moan as I sip my coffee.

There is a knock at the front door. I reach for the gun at the back of the drawer in the kitchen and hide it behind my back as I move through the house towards the front door. I look through the curtain and smile at the elderly lady that is standing at my front door. I hide the gun in the back of my waistband and adjust my dressing gown and open the door with a smile.

“Good morning, I thought I would call in to meet the new neighbour. I’m Carlotta, I live down the street.” She is a beautiful woman. She is in her seventies. She has white-grey hair that is curly and hangs on her shoulders. Her eyes are brown and they hold a kindness to them.

“Good morning, I’m Bobbi-Jane. Would you like to come in and have a drink?” The southern hospitality is always there unless you piss me off. Still, I would kick you out with a smile.

“Oh thank you, dear.” I step aside and open the door wider for her and let her in. I walk with her through to the kitchen when I hear Lucifer scratching at the door.

“Excuse me, I need to let my dog in.” She waves me off as she sits at the table and I let the dog in, who instantly goes over to her and she fusses with him and calls him a handsome boy and he sits nicely, wagging his tail and lapping it up. Traitor.

“So Mrs Carlotta, what can I get you?” I ask her and she smiles at me.

“Please call me Carlotta. A coffee would be lovely, thank you, Bobbi-Jane. I must say it is nice to see the house being used again. It has been empty for so long.” She says as I get to work making her coffee.

I hand her the cup and place the sugar and milk in front of her and she helps herself.

“Please call me Bobbi, I only get the full title when I’ve been bad. Yes, this house I got for a steal. It has such character.” I tell her, taking a sip of my own coffee.

“It really does. If these walls could speak, I used to know the family that lived here.” She sighs and I watch her when she continues. “Gerald was a lovely man. It was such a shame when he passed away. I was friends with him and his late wife, Laura. They were such lovely people. Friendly people. I do miss them.” She says, and I look down at the table as I think of my mom. They were my mom’s and aunts parent’s.

They died, but I don’t know how or why. Mom never talked about them. They left the house for my mom, who gave it to my aunt. With instructions for it to be passed on to me.

“Oh, that is a shame. They sound like really nice people. Did they not have any children?” Yes, I’m fishing, I never knew them. So maybe while I am here, I can learn more about them. Even aunty Rita never spoke about them. So I’m completely in the dark. All the research I did about them and the area came up with nothing.

She looks away and I know she knows. Unlike me, I can switch it on and off. I am a specially trained agent.

I can lie on a polygraph test, and it would not show as a lie. I can even lie when given truth serums. I should have been an actress.

I’m that good. Another one of my assets. Aunt Rita prepared me for everything growing up. It was very cloak and dagger, but it was fun.

“So, how long are you here for?” she asks, completely bypassing my question. Now that is interesting, and I sip my coffee and give her my full attention.

“I’m hoping to settle down here. May be even start a family of my own.” I say as I stroke Lucifer and he whines and I coo at him before clicking my fingers and point to his food and he follows the command.

“So you have a boyfriend? I’m sorry for being forward. I don’t see a wedding ring.” I chuckle and shake my head.

“No, I found my boyfriend with his secretary and haven’t looked back since. So here I am, just little ole me with Lucifer wanting a fresh start in a small town.” I shrug, laying the accent on thick and she smiles, bringing her cup to her lips and taking a sip.

“That is some good joe. Well, we are pretty friendly in the area. Everyone looks out for one another, so don’t think you are alone, sweetie, because you aren’t. Oh, I know. I am having a get together for the local people tomorrow. You and Lucifer should come and meet the neighbours and I can introduce you to my family. They would just love a beautiful girl like you,” she says, and I smile at her.

“I would like that, thank you.” We chat for a while and she tells me about her late husband and her son and grand kids. I can tell she loves them very much and is a really nice genuine person.

“Well, I have taken up enough of your time, Bobbi. It was lovely to meet you and, of course, you too, Lucifer. I better head back, my grandsons will have a fit if I’m not at home.” She chuckles and I smile at her. I show her to the door and she turns to face me before she hugs me and kisses my cheek. I stiffen, not used to affection. I have my dad to thank for that.

“My house is at the end. You can’t miss it. So I will see you both tomorrow at two. Have a lovely day, Bobbi, and welcome to the neighbourhood.” I wave her off and watch her walk away.

Closing the door, I lean back and pat Lucifer on his head.

“She seems nice. What do you think?” I ask him and he yips and I chuckle at him. “Come on, we need to explore.” I tell him and head to get ready for the day.