Page 3 of Whispers in the Dark
“Or this.”
It all happens so fast. One moment I’m strapped to this man’s lap, and in the next, as the man is yanked out of his seat and thrown to the ground, I’m moved to the side, where I find Jen tucking me under her arm.
“Are you okay? I called for Big D the second I saw what happened,” she tells me, looking me over cautiously with worry in her eyes.
“I’m fine, really.” I smooth down my skirt with a slight shake in my hands, tugging it as far down as it will go. “Nothing I can’t handle.” My glasses inch down my nose, and I carefully push them back into place.
“Get your fucking face out of here.” Declan, also known as Big D, kicks the man in the ribs, who is now curled in the fetal position. Gazing around, I notice his friends are long gone.
Can’t say I blame them.
I’d be scared of Big D too if it weren’t for the fact that I know he’s secretly a big softy who prefers spending his nights offrewatchingDownton Abbeywhile experimenting with different sourdough recipes.
I always love it when he sends me home with a loaf to sample.
The man coughs out, “The governor will hear about this.”
“The fuck if I care,” Big D retorts with a grim expression.
Eventually, the man crawls a few feet away before jumping to his feet and scurrying out the exit like the scum that he is. With the front door open, I see snow falling heavily in big flakes, coating the sidewalk.
Great. The drive home’s going to be fun.
Big D faces me, frowning. “You okay?”
The bar manager, CJ, comes up beside him, looking between us and signs,What did I miss?
I speak and sign at the same time, “Nothing out of the ordinary.” I wrap my arms around my midsection to hide the tremble running through me and see the look in Big D’s eyes. The one that says he doesn’t believe a damn word I’m saying. “I promise I’m fine. Totally fine.”
He arches a brow, crossing his burly tattoo-covered arms over his chest. “Why don’t you take off early? I’ll comp you for your time.”
I shake my head. “I’m not leaving you short-staffed.”
“We’ll manage. The crowds are light tonight, anyway, with it being Christmas Eve and all.”
I chew on my bottom lip, looking around the room. It is pretty quiet here. “Are you sure?”
“Girl, get out of here.” Jen playfully elbows me, smiling. “Go see your dad.”
I glance over at the clock hanging above the bar and note there’s still plenty of time left before he goes to bed. “Yeah, actually, I think I will. Thanks.” I pick up the tray from the ground and place it on the nearest bar top before turning toward the employee lounge. “Merry Christmas,” I call overmy shoulder. Quickly, I turn, and as I walk backwards, I sign,Merry Christmas,to CJ, who signs it back to me, grinning.
“So…” Jen walks side by side with me. “Did you have any time to think about it?”
I scoff, remembering our conversation from last night. “I can’t strip.”
Isn’t that for damn sure.
Besides my nonexistent grace, I also lack a single morsel of self-confidence and refuse to stride up and down a stage with lights pointed right at me for men to throw dollar bills at.
I outwardly cringe.
She leans against her locker, twirling a piece of dark hair around her finger. “Aren’t you the one who told me you’d do anything to get out of all the debt you’re currently accruing because of your—”
“Almost anything.” I untie my apron and hang it in my locker before grabbing my street clothes to change into.
She laughs, adjusting her Santa’s hat. “All I’m saying is you’ll make more money in one night than you would in a month serving assholes drinks. Not to mention, you wouldn’t have to put up with scumbags like that guy out there, putting his grimy hands all over you, if you were up on a stage. They can look at the goods all they want, but they can’t touch.” She wiggles her index finger back and forth.
I sigh. The idea of making more money is awfully appealing. But…
