“Over easy, it is.” Grabbing eggs from the fridge, he added some bacon bits and cheese to his supplies. Using a different pan, he plopped some butter and swirled it around. Adding eggs, he let them simmer and tossed in some pepper and parsley. When they looked just right, he flipped everything over and tossed some shredded cheese on top.
Shoving some books and motorcycle magazines aside, he made room for them to eat. It briefly crossed his mind to wonder when the last time someone had been there. He couldn’t remember. Solitude was peaceful; if he wanted to be around people, he’d head to the club.
When Saige didn’t return, he started to worry. Was she okay? “Saige?” he called out before heading toward the bathroom. The door was open, but she wasn’t inside. His house wasn’t that big, so there weren’t that many places she could be. Dread filled him with a dose of embarrassment thrown in. His hobby wasn’t something he shared with many people.
Walking to his spare room as quietly as possible, he spied Saige studying the different items in his special room. He cleared his throat and leaned against the door frame.
Saige jumped and turned around. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to spy, but this…these are amazing.” She twirled around before facing him again. “Are you the artist?”
He nodded.
“Tell me more.” Her eyes were wide, and she bounced on her toes.
“What’s there to say? I loved drawing as a kid. A teacher in high school thought I had talent and got me interesting in painting.”
“There’s so many different ones also. Landscapes, portraits, animals, and this one of the woman by the motorcycle. That’s Tracy. I’d know her anywhere.”
“Yeah, I just finished it and was saving it for her birthday.”
“Capone, I work at a small art gallery in Chicago. You should do a show. People would pay a fortune for these.”
“Thanks, but I’m not interested.”
“What? Why?”
Capone exhaled and pointed to his face.
“What because of the scar? What does that have to do with it?”
“No art gallery will want to have a show with someone that looks like me.” Just thinking about it brought back nightmares. He’d even been a candidate for an art scholarship. As a kid from a poor family, that was huge. Unfortunately, the night before his high school art show, he decided to go and celebrate with some friends in town. There were tons of people in town that weekend. As they passed a bar, they were pushed to the sidewalk when a couple guys fighting crashed through the front door. One had a bottle in his hand. He crashed it on the concrete and turned to attack his opponent. Regretfully, the glass met Capone’s face instead. The doctors told him later he was lucky he didn’t lose an eye. Some luck. He missed the art show and lost interest in pretty much everything after that. Until the Tribe of Mayhem motorcycle club showed up, that was, but Saige didn’t need to hear either story right now.
“That’s where you’re wrong.” Saige started again. “People love interesting artists. A bad-ass biker that can paint. They would eat that up.”
“Speaking of eating. The food’s getting cold.” He turned and headed back to the kitchen with Saige trailing behind.
“Well, thanks again for the accommodations and giving me a ride. I promise to pay you back when I can get to an ATM.” Saige took the seat he pulled out for her.
“The only thing you owe me is answers and you’re not leaving until I get them.”
Chapter Three
He set a heaping plate of pancakes, bacon, and eggs in front of her before going to the fridge for some OJ, milk, and maple syrup. At least he’d just gone grocery shopping not too long ago so there was plenty to eat.
“How about you tell me about your paintings instead? That sounds much more interesting.” Saige tucked both hands under her knees and stared at him.
“No, I want to hear about you,” he insisted.
“If I share my story, then will you tell me their stories?” Her head nodded toward the other room.
She bit her lip and looked up from her plate.
Those eyes of hers drew him in. Saige was becoming a danger to him. Something he yearned for and needed but didn’t want to let go. Maybe she had that effect on the other man and that’s what landed her here.
“Deal,” he finally relented. “You go first.”
She smiled and reached for the syrup. Saige popped the top and poured it over both the pancakes and bacon. Taking it from her, Capone did the same. The girl just eased her way into his heart a little more. If she was able to eat everything on her plate, they just might be soulmates. He laughed at the lovesick thoughts racing through his head. The fuck! He needed to get out more.
“Did I do something wrong?” Picking up her fork and knife, she used both to finely cut and eat her food. She had manners much higher than the usual chicks he hung out with and did she just place a paper towel on her lap like it was a napkin?
“No, just thinking about something else.” He took a healthy bite of food to give him time to figure out what to ask next. “Tell me, why did you say that man from last night was trying to kill you? Did he cause the bruises?”
“It’s complicated.” She rolled her eyes.
“Most things usually are.”
Saige followed his example and took a bite of eggs instead of answering. “These are really good.”
“Yeah, now spill or I’ll take them away.” Her eyes got big, and Capone winked.
She pulled the plate closer and narrowed her eyes. Chuckling, he admired her spunk.
“Let me finish eating and I’ll tell you everything I know.”
“It’s a deal, but at least tell me where you’re from.”
“Here.” She waved her fork in the air. “I was born and raised here in Genoa.”
“Really? You don’t live here now?” That was a surprise. How did he not know her?
“After I graduated from high school, I decided I wanted to get out and see the world.” Saige frowned and took a sip of milk. “It didn’t work out so well.”
“So, you came home?” He grabbed the pot of coffee and poured them each a cup. “Do you have family here?”
“Like I said, it’s complicated.” Saige turned her attention to her breakfast again and seemed to tune him out. Capone’s spirits took a tumble. At first, he cursed having to babysit this woman, but as much as he hated to admit it, in the short time she’d been there, he was actually starting to enjoy having her around. She was a mystery, and that was something that had always intrigued him. If he still wanted her around after discovering all Saige’s secrets, well, that still remained to be seen.
“I can wait.” He’d eaten much faster than his guest. Pushing his plate back, he leaned back in his chair. The front legs came off the ground. Maybe he wasn’t ready to hear what she had to say just yet. Hell, maybe she was married. At least he could pretend she was available for a while longer. Pretend he might have a chance with someone clearly out of his league. “Got any plans for today?”
“Huh? No, and my car isn’t going anywhere even if I felt safe enough to retrieve it.”