The Demon Trappers: Foretold Read Online Free PDF Page B

hook-ups.’
    Ohhhkay . . .
This guy definitely fell into the ‘no commitment’ category.
    The waitress reappeared, placing Beck’s coffee in front of him and a tall glass of iced tea near Riley.
    ‘Un-sweet,’ the woman said, shaking her head. Her tennis shoes squeak-squeaked across the linoleum as she headed towards another booth.
    ‘So were you . . .
social
. . . with our waitress?’ Beck shook his head. ‘Good. Then she won’t spit on our food.’
    Before he could respond to that, the diner door swung open. His eyes rose to the newcomer and he tensed in recognition. It was then Riley realized why he’d chosen this spot: it was a quick
way out in case of any hassles.
    The newcomer made his way to their booth. He was about six feet tall, dressed in jeans and a chamois shirt with greying hair and a moustache that needed trimming. His eyes were a pale, watery
brown and he squinted as if glasses were in his future.
    The man smirked. ‘Denny Beck, well I’ll be damned. I heard ya were back and here ya are, the devil himself.’
    ‘Mr Walker,’ Beck said, no warmth in his voice. He took a slow sip of his coffee, but Riley could see by the way he gripped the cup he was expecting trouble.
    ‘It’s been a long time. Where ya been? Prison?’
    ‘No, Atlanta.’
    When he didn’t get a rise out of her companion, the man checked her out. ‘I see yer still going after the ones too dumb to know yer trouble.’
    If this guy kept it up, Beck was going to be all over him. Fortunately, the waitress provided the perfect diversion.
    Riley gave Walker a hard stare. ‘Could you move, please?’
    ‘What did you say?’ he said, frowning.
    She pointed behind him at Karen and her tray. ‘I like my food hot.’
And you out of my face.
    The guy glowered at her, but backed off, grumbling under his breath.
    The waitress delivered the plates, hiding a smile. ‘Anything else?’ she asked.
    ‘Not right now. Thanks,’ Beck replied.
    Walker had found himself a seat at a nearby table so he could continue to glower at them. Beck ignored him, squirting ketchup, then mustard and hot sauce on his burger. He carefully rearranged
the pickles then picked up the burger, admiring it like it was a work of art.
    ‘Was it his daughter?’ Riley asked in a low voice.
    A shake of the head. ‘Wife.’
    No wonder he’s pissed.
‘How old were you?’
    ‘Sixteen.’ He took a big bite of his burger. After he’d finished chewing and had swallowed, he added, ‘It was right before I left town.’
    ‘Did you leave by choice or were you voted off the island?’
    He dabbed at his mouth with a paper napkin. ‘Jury’s still out on that one.’
    Riley did a quick mental recap – she was in some dorky small town with a local boy who had slept with just about every girl in sight, at least those of legal age. It was a good bet that
every one of their fathers, brothers or husbands would love the opportunity to have some serious face time with Denny Beck. She would be caught in the middle.
    Lucky me.
    Riley turned her attention to the burger and after a bit of doctoring she took a bite.
    Ohmigod.
It was incredible, juicy and rich with flavour, nothing like the ones she got at the fast-food places. She focused on her meal, ignoring the staring dude at the far table and the
whispered conversations at some of the others. When anyone left, they called out a goodbye to Karen or the other waitress and then took the long route round the diner so they walked right by their
booth.
    ‘Just ignore ’em,’ Beck said.
    ‘Easy for you.’
    ‘Not really.’ When he’d finished the huge mound of fries, he leaned back in the booth, content.
    ‘How can you eat that much?’ she asked, still picking at her own meal. The burger had been enormous and the cottage cheese the extra-creamy kind.
    ‘I’m a growin’ boy,’ he said.
    ‘Well, you will be if you keep packing food away like that.’
    Beck lowered his voice. ‘You aren’t like throwin’ up in the