Criminal Daddy

Mallory

If there was ever a man your parents told you to stay away from, Axel King was this man. One look from him and you ran in the opposite direction. He wears dark sunglasses half the time, and you can never tell if he is looking at you. I used to go to school with his son, Rocco, but he got banged up three years ago for a robbery. God knows how many times Axel has been in jail. But here he is walking the streets. There is no sign of a wife, but I’ve seen enough women around him.

I work at Fairfax Cafe, and I’ve never seen so many ladies cling to their handbags and purses. None other than Axel King walks in; that’s why.

“What is he doing in here?” Whispers fill the cafe.

“You serve him,” Alishia pushes me forward.

Before I know it, a shiver runs down my spine as the others suddenly scatter like frightened birds, leaving me alone to serve the menacing criminal daddy. As always, he wore his signature sunglasses, adding an element of intrigue and bad boy reputation to his appearance.

“Coffee, strong and with cream.” His jaw twitches as someone at a nearby table makes a comment.

“Would that be to sit in or take away?” It is an automatic response when someone just orders a coffee. A subtle, but unmistakable, curve of his lips formed a warm smile on his face. Oh gosh! The way he stands dominating the space around, the more I realize just how handsome he is. With a rugged jawline and stubble, and his hair devilishly ruffled. Was I staring too long?

He leans in closer and lowers his voice. “Would I scare you away if I took a seat?” With a finger on the tip of his sunglasses, he brings them down and I come eye to eye with him.

Did I say he was sexy? His eyes are dark hazel, and the way he stares at me, I think I might need a cold shower after this.

“There is a spare table near the window. I can bring it over to you when it’s ready.” I smile and I think my heart has a mini heart attack.

“I’ll be waiting for you.” He winks and slides a ten-dollar note over. Now my insides were swirling like a washing machine. Was he hitting on me? I go to take the money, but he doesn’t lift his fingers. His tongue runs along his lips, wetting them, then in his low husky, panty wetting voice he adds on. “You can keep the change.” He releases his hold and turns, striding over to the table I suggested.

I stand watching him stroll over and sit down, and then he pulls out his phone, and he is texting someone. “Pull yourself together, girl.” I say to myself. Then he takes off his leather jacket and my insides flutter harder. The t-shirt he has on shows his muscles and tattoos off.

“One coffee, strong please.” I ask Alishia to make it as I put through his order. The coffee is only four bucks. I can’t take the change.

I get a little cream jug and place it on the tray along with the change and his coffee. Three groups of people have already left the cafe since his arrival. Surely he isn’t that bad?

I take a deep breath and carry his order over, placing it down on the table. “I didn’t know how much cream you liked, so I brought it separately for you.” Then I gave him his change.

He picks it up, then grabs my hand, placing it in my palm. “I said keep the change.” His voice is rough and commanding.

“But the coffee was only four bucks.”

He removes his sunglasses altogether and places them down on the table. I realize he still hasn’t let my hand go. He takes the one dollar coin and folds my fingers around the five-dollar note.

“Consider it your tip for being nice. Next time, I might not be so generous.” His fingers brush over the top of my closed hand. Next time! Holy moly. He let my hand go and smoothly went to pour the cream into his coffee. “Perfect,” he mutters and winks at me, making me blush like crazy.

Two more people leave and rush out of the door. “Enjoy,” I say and turn around, hurrying back. What the hell just happened there? His touch alone had the power to awaken a deep desire inside of me. No, he is Rocco’s dad for a start, and a criminal.

I ignore the comments from Alishia and go into the kitchen to take a moment. When I come back out two minutes later, he has gone, and the atmosphere in the cafe has relaxed. I find the rest of my day going by daydreaming about him. Maybe it was his voice? I’ve never been so close to him before, and it makes me wonder why he came into the cafe, especially Fairfax Cafe.

Now whispers are floating around that he was checking the place out so he could plan a robbery. I roll my eyes at everyone and finish up my day. Bex, who is two years older than me, asks if I am going out tonight since it is Friday night.

“Hell, yeah, I think we are meeting up in the Barbarossa Lounge.” I let my hair down now that I have finished.

“Isn’t that place a bit rough?” Bex furrows her brow at me.

I laugh along with Alishia. Every bar is rough when people have been drinking around here. Plus, we weren’t planning to stay there all night. With the cafe left in the hands of Blaire to lock up, Bex, Alishia and I head home to change and get ready so we can meet up later on.

A text comes through as I’m changing into my outfit. “Damn girl,” I whistle as Bex has sent a photo of what she is wearing. I snap one back of my outfit. A short black leather skirt and a black halter neck top. I leave my long, honey blonde hair down, as I always do when I’m out. It is my pride and joy. I pump up the volume on my Spotify playlist, and next minute mom is coming in to tell me to turn it down.

“Isn’t that skirt too short?” She grits her teeth together. “It barely covers your ass.”

“Mom, it’s not that short.” I roll my eyes at her. Anything a few inches above the knee, mom considers short.

“Is your phone fully charged?” She always checks, and I love her for it. She had a panic attack once when my battery ran out and I didn’t turn up home after a night out as I went back with Bex. I’ve promised her to always send a message if I’m not coming home.

“Yes, mom.” I kiss her cheek and grab my purse as my Uber has arrived. “See ya later.” I rush out of the door before she can say anything more.

It takes fifteen minutes to reach the bar. I’ve paid for my ride and dash inside to meet Bex. She is at the bar and surrounded by a couple of guys. It is buzzing in here and I walk over to where she is.

“Oh babe, save me from these two hunks, would ya?” she jokes.

I don’t recall seeing them around here before, but they are handsome. Bex gets the drinks in and I play catch up with her. An hour later, Bex rushes off to the toilets, and I follow. She throws up and I hold her hair and rub her back.

“Are you okay?” I ask once she has finished.

“I can only think it is something I’ve eaten before coming out.” She looks green. “I don’t think I’m going to throw up again, but I don’t feel right.”

“Go home. I’ll call an Uber for you.” Within five minutes, I help Bex out to the ride, and make sure she is going to be okay. I head back inside and decide to have another drink before leaving myself. I’m not going clubbing on my own.

“Is she alright?” One guy asks as I come back to the bar.

“Yeah, something she ate, I think.”

“Here,” he passes me a drink. “Looks like you might need it.”

“Thanks.” I guzzle it down and the guys chat to me as I get in another drink. “Why not?” I laugh and sip this one. “What did you say your names were again?” The atmosphere suddenly shifted, and a peculiar sensation washed over me, making everything seem unfamiliar and out of place.

“I’m Tom,” he whispers close to my ear. “How are you feeling?”

“I — I, what?” I blink as I try to focus on their faces.

“Here, let us help you go get some fresh air. I think you’ve had a bit too much to drink.” His voice feels dreamy. Then hands help me and by the time we get outside, my head spins and I lose my balance. Everything around me goes black.