Epilogue
Molly
The party wound down, the married couple long gone to bed to whoops and hollers, and the rest of the crew living it up almost until dawn. I was a night owl through and through, so the late hour didn’t bother me.
The extra cash for overtime hit just right.
Two women approached my bar, Cassie with Dixie. Both wore the same cautious expression. My stomach tightened.
Dixie gestured for me to come to the bar entrance, lifted from where I’d been collecting bottles and glasses from Divide’s dance floor. She leaned in. “I wanted to talk to you this evening.”
“Me, too.” Cassie sidled up with her. “To apologise, on my part.”
Heat rose to my cheeks. “There’s no need.”
“Naw, there is. I was a dumbass.” She jacked a thumb at Dixie. “I was so scared when Dixie’s name went public that I temporarily lost my mind. I jumped to a conclusion and it was wrong.”
My shoulders went down an inch. “I would never spill someone else’s secrets. I gave you my word and I meant it.”
Dixie smiled. “We know. It was a horrible experience all round.”
“And my fault that ye were brought into it.” Cassie stuck out a hand. “I’m sorry. Accept my apology?”
That tightness inside me unravelled. Badly, I wanted friends here. Despite the fact I should be keeping to myself. I hated being the island my sister said I had to be. Something she’d never failed at.
I shook Cassie’s hand.
Dixie took a turn next and pulled me into a hug. “If you’re finished, have a drink with us? Last one before Arran sends everyone home.”
Inside, I lit up. Found myself at a table with a cocktail, being introduced properly to a large group of men and women, some on the crew and others who worked the clubs.
Cuddled up next to her massive, terrifying boyfriend, Lovelyn eyed me. “You owe me a story. You said that once, Dixie gave you advice for handling an ex. I’ve been wondering about it ever since. Spill the details.”
Dixie laughed softly and arched an eyebrow at me.
I took a sip of my drink, rolling the glass between my palms. “Right, but it wasn’t exactly an ex, just some guy I’d been nice to in the course of my job. Don’t judge me. I was not at my finest.”
They begged me to continue.
“This man, a customer in another bar I worked at and an absolute walking red flag, wouldn’t take a hint.
I’m cursed with enjoying chat, and he took this as meaning I was interested.
He kept waiting for me outside and getting loud at any other customer who smiled at me.
Weird, right?” But sadly far too common.
“I told him straight, had the bouncer warn him, and even threatened to throw a pint over his head if he showed up at my work again. Did he stop? Nope. He kept hanging about, acting like we were a thing and I was being difficult.”
I glanced at Dixie who wore a pretty smile.
“So I told Dixie in passing when I was delivering water to Divine’s dressing room.
Right after I started here and was working between the two places.
She considered it then told me that men like him only listen to one thing.
The bark of a bigger dog. I thought she meant yell at him louder.
No. She advised me to invent a new boyfriend.
Not just any boyfriend. An unhinged one. ”
I let a grin spread. “In thirty seconds, I had my solution. She helped me build him. Name, job, backstory. Said he worked nights, was charming, but had a hot temper. Then she told me to drop it casually into conversation with the red flag. Not like a threat, but a warning. So the next time this guy shows up, I’m all sweet smiles and ready with my explanation.
I said my boyfriend wanted to meet him. He hated when people hung around me like this. That he got weird about it.”
If only such a guy existed. I could take care of myself, but I had a little pang at missing having someone care about me in that way.
I continued, eyeing Dixie. “But your advice wasn’t done. Do you remember what you said?”
On Tyler’s lap, she squinted. “The scary text?”
“Bingo. She told me to pretend to get a message while he was there, look terrified, and say that he was coming, and that the guy should leave for his own sake.” I took another sip, still smirking.
“Man practically tripped over himself getting out the door. He didn’t come back for ages.
And when he finally did, he kept looking over his shoulder like someone was about to jump him. ”
I lifted my glass toward Dixie. “The best part? There was no boyfriend. Just solid advice and a very convincing performance.”
She chinked cocktails with me.
The group laughed, and inside, I freaking glowed.
When my glass was drained, Arran did as Dixie warned. He called time, and weary feet took to the exits.
I slipped back to my bar and wiped it down. Got the last bag of rubbish ready to take out to the bins.
A guy sat at the end of my countertop, nursing a beer. Non-alcoholic, from the label.
He was pretty. A little older than me, black hair tied back, inkwork on his neck. What was that, a dagger? Hoo boy, that was hot. I’d seen him around once or twice but didn’t know his name.
He caught me staring. “Molly, right?”
Don’t flirt, don’t flirt.
“And you are?”
“Ash. I’m your ride home. Ready to go?”
“Bold of you to assume I’m going home.”
His eyes gleamed in interest. “Then I guess I’ll be following you until you do.”
Damn. I had to get into a car with him. I might spontaneously combust from the proximity. I also had to be ultra careful with the escort the crew insisted on for staff working nights, not letting them see exactly where I lived. They needed me to be safe, I needed to mind my business.
There was too much to lose if anyone got too close.
I gestured to the rubbish bag. “I’ll take this out then I’m done.”
“I’d help, but I’m currently operating at fifty percent.”
I rounded the bar and saw what he meant. Ash had a plaster cast on one leg, his jeans torn open to accommodate it.
I widened my eyes. “How did you do that?”
“Lost a fight with a table.”
I raised my eyebrows. “You’re telling me furniture won?”
“It was marble. Came out of nowhere.”
“Who knew Deadwater had such a problem with violent, unpredictable tables. Big issue in the city.”
His lips curved. Bright eyes, a mouth that fell into a devastatingly attractive smirk. A heated look that eased over me, taking in my cropped crew t-shirt. My black shorts and bare legs.
Nope. I had to shut down that attraction fast.
Out of sight, I checked my pocket for my phone and keys. My work here was done, the lights the last thing to be switched off, and usually by the cleaning crew, not me.
I hefted the bag. “Be right back.”
A lie. I was outta here.
I exited the warehouse by a side door where the bins were stored, and slung the black bag into the huge container, avoiding a spray of something fruity-smelling. Gross. Then I left the pool of light and took off down the dark cobbled path that led to the harbour.
It was a mild night. If I walked to the centre, I could grab a taxi for cheaper than if they came out here. Or maybe even walk home and save the cash.
Further on, a few other dockside buildings lurked, the last of the industrial zone before it turned into luxury apartments that lined the water.
At the end of a narrow alley that ran between them, I paused.
Something in the darkness had snagged my attention. What was that, a sound? A scuffle?
I took a step, fear brewing in my belly, but also bravery from that single cocktail, the coffee taste still on my tongue. Damn alcohol for being the best way to make bad decisions.
Like I needed the help.
The sound came again. A tiny groan of pain.
Shit. My heart thudded.
My senses were on point tonight. I inched past the alley entrance, one hand to the brickwork and squinting into the dark. Nothing but shadows held the space. No figures, no one on the ground.
Nah, I couldn’t go in there. Even if I got why the girls in the movies always entered the creepy basement. I was that girl. The curious cat, seeking the drama.
Something dragged over the concrete.
I froze. Ahead, a pair of feet slid out of sight, one shoe falling off. As if someone had pulled a body from the gloom and out of my eyeline.
Horror slammed into me.
Oh, fuck this.
Except what if it was a woman who’d been hurt?
A car door slammed, and I was almost certain. It was an abduction taking place right under my nose. I had to go after her. I had to run into that alley and chase them down.
I went to move.
A hand landed on my shoulder.
I’d blown it. All I’d worked towards was over. Just because I couldn’t leave well enough alone.
My sister would kill me for this. If someone else didn’t do it first.
The End.