Fighting Blind Read Online Free Page A

asking of me.
    At first, it was just small things, picking up and dropping off packages. I didn’t realize what they were until one of his clients opened the parcel in front of me. I don’t know much about drugs, never touched the stuff, but I’m pretty sure it wasn’t oregano in the bag.
    I refused to make another delivery after that. Stefano just glared at me with his dark, gargoyle-like eyes. I’d thought I’d won until I came home later that day and found my mom barely conscious on the floor, her face bruised, lip bleeding.
    Of course, she wouldn’t admit what happened, but I knew it was a warning.
    I’ve made every delivery he’s asked of me since. But once I get out of there, I’m finished.
    “Order up.” One of the cooks slams his palm down on steel pass-through, making me jump.
    “That’s yours, Mac,” Sarah says, tapping a new order into the new computer system we got last month. She curses when the screen freezes. “Oh, and table twenty-three is asking for you.”
    “Got it. Thanks.” I stack the plates of burgers, fries and wraps onto my tray and move through the crowd. We’re usually closing up by now, but it’s homecoming and the entire town has turned into one giant party.
    After I drop the food off, I take a deep breath and head to the boisterous table of guys swinging their empty beer bottles in my direction. 
    “Another round.” The words are slurred, but not enough to warrant cutting the man off.
    “Last call.” I ignore the way the guy ogles my ass when I lean over to collect the empty beer bottles. 
    “In that case, bring a round of Jägerbombs.” He gives me a crooked smile, and I notice that he’s actually kind of cute. “And bring one for yourself.”
    “Can’t drink on the job.” Plus, I’m still two years away from being legal, but I don’t tell him that. 
    He grips my wrist when I turn to walk away. “Maybe some other time.”
    “Doubtful.” I roll my arm to break his hold and ignore his friend’s raucous laughter as I walk away.
    “Your hottie is here.” Sarah nudges me and glances towards the front door.
    I look over my shoulder and Theo gives me a dimpled grin when our eyes meet. He’s with a couple of his fight club buddies, and by the looks of them, they’ve been drinking. He points towards the bar, before heading in the same direction.
    “He’s just a friend,” I mumble.
    “Right.” Sarah rolls her eyes. “So you wouldn’t mind if I hooked up with him?”
    I look at Sarah, all legs and boobs, and my stomach twists. “Of course not.”
    “Good.” She wiggles her eyebrows, then laughs when I frown and turn away.
    After I punch in the drink order, I make my way to the bar.
    Theo and his friends have a row of tequila shots lined up.  
    “What’s going on?” I frown at Theo when he slams the shot back. He doesn’t drink. Ever.
    “Did you get my texts?” Theo places a heavy arm over my shoulder and leans on me heavily.
    “It’s been busy.” I almost stumble with the weight of him. “Is everything all right?”
    “Better than all right. I got approved for the mortgage. The gym is mine.”
    “Oh my God. That’s amazing.” I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him in for a tight hug. “I’m so happy for you.”
    The muscles in his shoulders bunch and tense under my hands. I stay in his arms longer than I should.
    His hands rest on my lower back and his warm breath tickles my neck.
    When I pull back, his expression has gone dark.
    “What’s wrong?”
    He clears his throat and drops his hands. His voice is strained when he says, “Nothing.”
    “I’ve got to deliver these drinks. I’ll be another hour before I can go home, but if you want to share a cab…”
    His buddies have managed to round up three of the sluttiest girls in the bar, and are tossing back a second round of tequila shots. I see Theo’s gaze drift towards them.
    “Unless you have other plans.”
    Theo shakes his head. “I’ll wait.”
    “Okay.” Something