Chapter One

The Arizona heat blared down on her as she stepped out of her apartment. The sound of cicadas all around and the smell of an oncoming monsoon drifting through the air. They needed the rain. Although summers in Arizona are known for the heat, they've been in a heat wave for the last several weeks.

Making her way down the stairs of her ratty old apartment building, Isabella braced herself for the walk to work.

She didn't know what made her choose Arizona, let alone a small town.

She lived with her mother for a better part of a decade down in Phoenix, always complaining about how hot it was. The only perk of the dry land was the tan she's been getting after spending most days poolside.

Huffing and pulling her hair into a bun at the top of her head as the wind began to pick up. Looking towards the sky she noticed the rain clouds slowly moving their way. She couldn't help but smile at the fact. She'd take walking in the rain then in 120 degree weather any day.

Quickly, using the crosswalk to get across the busy road, she steeled herself before walking into the restaurant. Noticing how packed the place was at this time of day, she sighed. She usually works the morning shift, when it isn't so busy. When a co-worker called her up and asked if she could cover for her, Bella just couldn't say no.

"Izzy," the voice on the other end of the phone breathed in relief. "I'm so glad you picked up."

"Hi Ronnie, are you okay?" Isabella asked, a little nervous. Veronica, also known as Ronnie, doesn't usually talk outside of work.

"Yes and no," Ronnie replied. "I am scheduled to work the closing shift tomorrow but I have to go out of town for a family emergency. Can you cover for me? My boyfriend and his friend usually come in every Friday night and I don't trust any of the other girls. Can you do a solid and switch shifts with me?"

Isabella sighed but agreed.

Isabella didn't know what she was getting herself into when she agreed to cover for Ronnie. However when she walked into the restaurant and saw the place completely packed, her emotions wavered between annoyance and excitement for the extra tips.

Clocking in before heading to the host stand, she tapped the host on the shoulder.

"Hey," she greeted.

The host turned around and looked as if she would cry with relief. "Oh thank God, Izzy. Your section is already packed full. I already got their drink orders for you but I need you to hurry and go grab their orders."

"You got it girl," she smiled, at the young teen. "What section does Ronnie usually work in?"

After being shown the section on the clipboard, Isabella confidently walked up to the first table. There were six tables in total tonight that she would be watching. Friday nights were always chock full of people. Small towners take Friday night, date night seriously. Not only is it date night but they will be expecting another huge wave of people coming in after the high school football game.

Bella was happy when she finally got to her last table. She hoped that they didn't mind how busy she was and it took her a while before she was able to greet them.

Putting on her best smile, she greeted the four top, full of men. They looked intimidating to Isabella. They all had arms full of tattoos and they looked HUGE. Even sitting in the booth they looked to all be over 6 feet tall. To Isabella they looked like they hardly fit.

"Hi, my name is Izzy and I'll be your server today. I just wanted to say thank you for your patience, I wasn't expecting a full section the moment I walked through the door," she gave a small chuckle as she looked at each man, while she spoke. "Can I get you any beers or a refill of your soft drinks?"

The man that looked to be in charge, gave Isabella a smirk. He looked to be the second tallest, but she could be so sure with them all sitting down. His blond hair was cut short but not too short, and was tasseled. His bright blue eyes captivated Isabella and she found it hard to look away. His voice was ever sexier, she could feel her panties getting wet with every word he spoke.

"Hello, there darlin'. You're not our regular waitress. Where's Ronnie tonight?"

'This must be the table with Ronnie's boyfriend and his friend's,' Isabella thought. Being the cautious person she is, she decided to tread lightly.

"Oh, Ronnie asked to switch shifts with me today," she gave the man a smile. "I usually work mornings, so you've probably never seen me if you don't come in for the breakfast or lunch rush."

"Where's Ronnie at?" One of the other men at the table asked. This one looked like he could be the first one's brother. His blonde hair was almost to his shoulders and he had the same blue eyes as the man who captured her attention.

Isabella cocked her head to the side, looking at all the men before answering the question, without answering the question.

"I don't discuss the personal life of co-workers with patrons," she gave them her best smile. "Now-"

She was cut off by the man who asked where Ronnie was.

"I'm her boyfriend," he smirked at her. "I have a right to know where my girlfriend is."

Huffing, Isabella responded with an edge to her voice, "You may or may not be her boyfriend, I wouldn't know. I've never met him. However, I. Do. Not. Discuss my coworkers personal life with patrons. If you are really her boyfriend then you would know EXACTLY why she's not here."

Pausing a moment to reign in her escalating temper.

"Now, would you like to order something or do you still need a few minutes?"

The men sat there and stared at her in shock. It didn't take long for them to react. They all smiled at the same time and the man who claimed to be Ronnies boyfriend leaned over the first blue eyed man to present his hand to her.

"Well, well Izzy," he chuckled. "My name is Jasper, and I am indeed Ronnie's boyfriend. I know she had a family emergency she had to attend to. She's told us a lot about you. We wanted to see if what she told us was true."

Isabella stood there, looking unimpressed with a raised eyebrow as she looked at the men- Jasper. When she didn't reach for his hand, he pulled it back looking like a wounded puppy.

"Forgive my brother," the first man spoke. "He can get quite protective of his girl. I'm Peter by the way."

"I'm Emmett," the man sitting in front of Jasper said. He was probably the biggest man she has ever seen. His brown hair and green eyes, paired with his smile made him seen like a huge teddy bear though.

The man sitting next to Emmett and across from Peter, then introduced himself.

"Since we're all introducing ourselves to the pretty little waitress, I might as well join in," he began with a sly look on his face. The way he spoke sent shivers of fear down her spin, subconsciously making her move closer to Peter and away from him. "My name's James, and you are absolutely delicious."

The glare Peter gave James didn't go unnoticed by her or any of the boys at the table.

"It's nice to meet you all," she spoke before looking towards Peter. "Are y'all ready to order?"

Peter gave her a wide smile and nodded. She quickly took their orders and headed back towards the kitchen. Passing one of the runners along the way and thank him quickly for giving her first couple tables their food.

Isabella quickly inputted the last tables order into the system before hurrying and taking the rest of her tables their food before heading to the bar and gathering the two pitchers of beer and four glasses for the table of Ronnie's friends. When she made her way back to their table she noticed that Emmett and James switched places.

She couldn't help but give Emmett a small grateful smile, while she placed the beers and glasses on the table.

The night went on and she became more and more busy. Five out of the six tables she originally had switched customers several times throughout the night. The four top of me however, stayed until closing time.

When all the customers were gone she let out a breath and went to close out for the night. Cleaning didn't take long and she was happy to see the large amount of tips she made that night.

If she didn't hate larger crowds so much, since being on the run from her ex-boyfriend, she'd ask to switch. Since she was trying to keep a low profile she felt safer and more comfortable working the day shift where it doesn't nearly get as packed as it does at night.

"Bye, Izzy," her manager called as she went to exit the building. "See you in the morning."

"Bye, Beth," she called back. "Have a good night."

"You too hun," the older woman replied. "Get home safe, you hear?"

"Yes, ma'am," Isabella replied before pushing the door open.

Signing in relief that her shift was over, Isabella rolled her neck and her shoulders, before taking off into the night.

Unbeknownst to her that she was being followed.