• Eight •
“No need to make this messy.”
Storm
The parking lot was empty, except for a black Mustang. That would make this easier. I wanted it handled now so I didn’t have to worry about Briar running her ass over here the first chance she got.
The front door was unlocked, which was fucking stupid. Bash needed to be more careful. Anybody could walk in on him here alone. Like me, for example. Shaking my head, I stepped inside the bar. Bash was behind the bar, leaning over what looked like paperwork laid out on it. His head snapped up, and the frown on his face turned into more of an uneasy one as he straightened.
“How can I help you?” he asked me.
I held up both hands. “Just here to repay a debt,” I assured him.
“Debt?” He didn’t seem to relax from my words. If anything, he tensed up more.
“The money you gave to Briar,” I explained.
His shoulders eased then, and he shook his head. “No need. I told her it was hers.”
I pulled out a barstool and took a seat across from him. “That might be true, but she doesn’t agree, and I don’t like that another man gave her money,” I told him, taking the five grand from my pocket and laying it on the polished hardwood top of the bar.
“That’s too much,” he said.
“It’s with interest.”
He let out a low chuckle and shook his head again. I was getting annoyed.
“Briar belongs to me now,” I said, placing my hand on the money and sliding it over to him. “I take care of what’s mine.”
Bash tensed as his eyes followed the money. When I took my hand away, he picked it up. “I see. I wasn’t aware that had, uh, happened.”
“It was inevitable. Just took me a minute to accept it.” I smirked.
He put the money under the counter, then reached over and took a glass from the shelf. “Whiskey?” he asked.
Why not? “Maker’s,” I replied.
He took the bottle down and poured two fingers before scooting it over to me. “She’s safe,” he said with a sigh. “That’s good to hear.”
Yeah, it was, but him caring about her wasn’t sitting well in my chest. In fact, it was causing a restless stir with my inner beast.
“She’s gonna show up here. Wanting to work to pay off the money she owes you. She isn’t going to work here again. You understand?” I told him, picking up the glass and taking a drink.
He let out a small, nervous laugh. “I see. You know how hard she is to tell no?”
I put the glass down harder than necessary, and Bash tensed up again. “But you will tell her no.”
He cleared his throat, then nodded. “Yeah, I’ll tell her no.”
“That’s good,” I replied, standing up. “No need to make this messy.” I watched him as I picked up the glass and drank down the rest, then put my empty glass in front of him. “Thanks for the drink. Place looks good. I’m sure your dad is proud.”
He nodded again and tried to smile. “Yeah, thanks.”
“All right then. I hope this is the last time I need to walk in here. You take care.” I grinned at him but made sure my threat sank in before I turned and headed back out the door.
Now, my little siren could drive her sexy, stubborn ass over here, and I could just sit back and watch.