“Give me a fucking name!” He shoved their heads farther down, making their feet slightly come off the ground.
The screams were torturous before Stacy tried to get a word out of her mouth. She tried again, finally gaining enough strength. “Ch-Chloe!”
Amo stepped closer. “What the fuck did she just say?”
Nero pulled the girls up, tossing Stephanie to the side. He held Stacy in place in front of him. “What did you say?”
Through sobbing, she managed to get out, “T-talk to Chloe.”
Nero let Stacy go.
“Vincent, make them aware of what happens when they talk.”
He ran his hands through his hair, trying to get it to smooth down. He heard the balcony door open and the cries start to disappear. He and Amo stood there, looking out into the distance. They waited for Vincent to return before anything was said.
“What the fuck did she mean by that?” Vincent asked, returning.
Nero waited to hear what Amo would say first.
“Chloe would know who all has hurt Elle. Maybe she’s saying to ask Chloe who has hurt them.”
Nero thought about Amo’s words, but something didn’t feel right to him. He didn’t understand how the pieces fit yet, however. They were all there, but it was a matter of putting it together.
He pictured the photo book of Elle’s, remembering how badly he had wanted to shake her and make her tell him everything. How badly he had wanted to paralyze the rest of her father’s body after seeing Elle’s nose broken and a cast over her arm. All the fucking black eyes. Nero knew that was just what was visible to him. There could have been several under her clothing, not to mention all the times it healed before a picture had been taken.
He decided enough was enough. The next person he questioned, he was going to get some real fucking answers. No matter what.
Nero looked at Amo to make sure he knew how far he would go if need be. “Well, then, we talk to Chloe.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Can You Pass the Sugar?
Elle had a big crowd again at the diner tonight. She was thankful; it would help keep her mind off Nero. The way he and her father had looked at each other when they’d left had her confused as to what they had talked about. Whatever it was, she probably didn’t want to know. The ride over had been nice and she had to admit she liked it. She could definitely deal with him driving her to and from work.
Elle looked at the door to see who walked in, still on the lookout to make sure the boss and whoever worked for him didn’t walk through. Every time that door opened, her heart raced until she realized they had no relation to the murder. When Nero walked in, her heart calmed. Wait, what is he doing here?
Elle could only stare as Nero walked to a booth in the corner. He took a seat with his back up against the wall, giving him a full view of the diner. He had brought a bag with him. She had no idea what he had planned.
Elle walked over to his table. “What are you doing here?”
Nero smiled wide. “I’m starving.”
She didn’t like where this was going, although she knew better than to question Nero when he was set on something. She was at work and needed to treat him as a customer; consequently, Elle reluctantly took out her notepad and pen.
“What can I get you?”
“Surprise me.”
Elle put the pad and pen back in her apron and smiled. “Would you like me to pick your drink, as well?”
Nero leaned back in his seat. “No, I’ll take a coffee.”
Elle realized he was clearly just getting comfortable. The perfect night for the perfect day.
Elle went to the window and asked for the special then she went and grabbed a plate, holding a mug in one hand and taking the coffee pot in the other. She returned to Nero’s table and set the plate and cup in front of him, looking at him right before she poured the dark liquid into the mug. Elle could read his face and knew he had been waiting for this moment.
Returning her eyes to the mug, mostly because watching him look at her that way had started to heat her body, she managed to successfully pour the coffee. Nero’s hand covered hers for her to stop pouring, making Elle look at him again. She didn’t know how something like pouring coffee for Nero could turn sexual.
“Can you pass the sugar?” Nero’s free hand pointed to the packets of sugar at the other end of the table.
Elle looked at the ceramic box holding the packets. She knew he could very well get them and it would be easier for him to, but for some reason, Elle leaned over the table, having to go to her toes to reach them. She could feel Nero’s eyes all over her body, exciting her. She figured that feeling was the reason she wanted to please Nero.
Elle slowly slid the sugar across the table until it lay in front of him.
Nero’s thumb rubbed the top of her hand. “Thank you.” Then he finally released her hand, letting Elle look away from his eyes that had held her prisoner, as well.
She licked her now-dry lips before she left the table without a word. Elle felt his eyes all over her body again as she walked away. She tried to get her thoughts and body under control as she waited on her other tables. By the time she managed to do so, Nero’s order came up in the window.
Taking the hot plate, she headed for his table and set the plate of food in front of him. His expression now was sour, unlike the one he’d had on when Elle poured him coffee. What got into him?
Elle left the table when Nero gave no response, continuing to work despite Nero distracting her. His eyes hadn’t left her while she waited on her tables and he ate.