Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
Riley
My heart is pounding as I make my way down the never-ending corridor.
I don’t remember it being this long when I was leaving the office yesterday.
Maybe it’s the fact that I didn’t have time to put on my bra and instead just shoved it into my bag and rushed outside.
Or the lingering musky smell still filling all my senses.
But when I finally step outside and walk past the bar, a breath I didn’t realize I was holding escapes me.
“Riley?” A familiar voice calls after me. I turn around to see Cohen behind the bar with a friendly smile on his face.
“Hey,” I force myself to smile. “Is Mia still around?” It’s foolish for me to assume he knows Mia. It’s a miracle he remembers me after just one short conversation. We’re the new girls after all.
“You just missed her,” he puts down the glass he’s been cleaning.
“Damn it…” I sigh.
After what just happened with Ezekiel, I needed my friend. Or anything that would take my mind off the heat pooling inside my belly from the way he was looking at me. How he says my name like a command and a caress.
That man is dangerous.
“Is everything okay?” Cohen asks. “You look like you might need a drink.”
Before I get a chance to respond, Cohen pours me a small gin and tonic and places it in front of me on the bar.
I stare at the glass, holding back the laughter.
With everything going on, the easiest route for me would be to reach out for that glass and drink it.
I shouldn’t be breaking down over alcohol of all things.
“Thanks but I don’t drink alcohol,” I push the glass back towards him.
“Oh, I didn’t know that,” he takes the glass and drinks it himself. “Sorry.”
“No biggie,” I smile.
“So, how are you liking it here?” Cohen gives me a small smile. “Are the other girls welcoming?”
“Fine,” I say without going into details. “The girls are really kind.”
“You danced before?”
“No, not professionally.”
“I heard you’re a med student, that’s so cool,” he continues. “What brings you here of all places?”
I’m starting to get annoyed at all the questions he’s been asking, but I realize I could take advantage of how chatty he is and see what I can dig up about the missing girls.
That conversation I overheard is still replaying in my head and after knowing what I know about Zeke, I would be a fool if I weren’t scared about my own safety.
“Yeah, it’s my true calling,” I climb on one of the high stools, playing along.
“Awesome!” He smiles, a little too friendly. “I bet you’re going to have a lot of fun during your time here.”
“I’m sure I will,” I lean forward casually. “But…”
“What is it?” He takes the bait, all of his attention on my fake hesitation.
“I heard that a girl who worked here went missing,” I don’t have to pretend that I feel disturbed with that detail. “So, I was wondering, is it safe?”
“Oh…” He glances from one side to the other, making sure no one can overhear our conversation, then leans in and speaks. “Yeah, unfortunately some girls did go missing. And many quit…”
Some girls? Shit.
“That sucks, really,” I sigh.
“But don’t worry,” He is back to being the smiley-face bartender. “I’m sure whatever it is, the boss will take care of it and make sure everyone here is safe.”
After overhearing the questions Ezekiel asked that guy, I can’t help but wonder if maybe someone else is trying to make Eden look bad on purpose. Maybe another club, trying to poach their clients. Or someone who hates Ezekiel.
I saw the way he fought to get information about what happened to the missing girls. That is enough for me to believe that he really cares about our safety.
I excuse myself and get up from the stool, ready to leave. “Thanks for the chat.”
“See you tomorrow!” He shouts as I’m stepping outside.
I’m working the night shift at the hospital tonight and after the craziness of today, I cannot wait to be at the hospital and just leave everything else behind me. I love my job, even if I’m not getting paid for it. It’s the only place I get to be without having to carry the burdens of my past.