No one was dancing on the usually packed dance floor, and instead, everyone congregated around their tables, holding their drinks protectively in their hands as they hung out with the people they came with.
My staff had nervous energy, their eyes constantly scanning the bar, watching the door. They kept an extra close eye on people, especially thosewithoutdrinks in their hands.
I absolutely hated it.
The usual happiness that radiated within these four walls was gone and replaced with negative connotations. I was fairly certain if someone didn’t bring the roofie-rapist down soon, it’d be my business going down instead.
From across the room, I made eye contact with Cain, who was watching me with a lowball of whiskey sitting in front of him that looked untouched. A handful of other Sinners were throughout the bar, keeping a watchful eye.
They were spread thin tonight, doubling their manpower here while other places in town only had one watchful Warlord. But Cain insisted on putting the extra bodies at Andromeda, a gut feeling telling him we’re likely next, if not close to the top of this prick’s list. And the last thing I wanted was for one of my customers, or one of my staff, to fall prey.
I blew out a shaky breath and weaved through the tables, sliding into an open chair at Cain’s.
Wrapping his hand around the leg of my chair, he pulled it toward him until it bumped into his, and I was close enough for him to slide his arm around my waist. I let him hold me and leaned my head against his shoulder.
“I hate this,” I complained. I was trying not to let the somber mood get to me and seemingly failing. Every inch of my body felt heavy with anxiety.
“I know.” He pressed his lips against my temple in a reassuring kiss. My stomach cartwheeled. “Where do you want to sleep tonight? I can take you home when you’re ready if you want a break from this place.”
A break sounded necessary, and the comfort of my own bed sounded heavenly. I wondered if he’d ask to stay with me. I’d let him, but I wasn’t sure I’d have the lady balls to ask him myself. There was still some part of me holding back, afraid to fully give myself over and welcome the vulnerability for him to shatter me again. “Home sounds perfect.”
And at that, I expelled a yawn, not realizing until just then how exhausted I truly was. Mentally, more than physically, but exhausted all the same.
Tugging my cell phone from my back pocket, I pressed the side button and illuminated the screen, seeing that it was only eleven. There were still three hours before the bar closed, and as badly as I wanted to duck out now, I felt obligated to stay.
As though sensing my inner battle, Cain raised his hand into the air to grab the attention of Indy, who came out from behind the bar and made her way to us.
She hopped into a chair, crossing her arms in front of her on the table. “Hey, guys,” she said with a half-smile. “Weird vibe, right?”
“The weirdest,” I confirmed at the same time Cain said, “Rose’s exhausted. We’re going to head out.”
Glaring at him, I turned back to Indy and shook my head. “No, we’re not. I’m not leaving you to deal with this on your own.” I shook my hand dismissively at Cain. “Go ahead, and leave if you want.”
He caught the hand that waved in front of his face and kissed my palm.
Indy beamed. She knew I’d been avoiding my attraction to Cain for months, but I’d never filled her in on the extent of it. “Honestly, boss, go home. I’ve got the bar and I have a feeling the occupancy will just keep minimizing from here. You’ve pulled hella late nights lately, so really, go home. We’ll be fine.”
“You’re sure?”
“I’m positive,” she replied. “Go get a good night’s sleep. In the morning we can brainstorm ways to take some of the tension off tomorrow night.”
“Okay,” I said with a smile, then turned to Cain. “Take me home, big guy.”
He raised his eyebrow with skepticism. “Big guy?”
Hopping off the chair, I plucked my phone from the table and shoved it into my back pocket. “Yeah, big guy. Have you looked in a mirror? You’re a freakin’ beast.”
That comment earned me a cocky grin. “You have no idea.”
Rolling my eyes, I walked directly across the empty dance floor and toward my office, not bothering to see if Cain was following. I knew he was. I could sense his presence all around me, as though he’d thrown a protective bubble around us.
It was oddly soothing.
After grabbing my purse, we slipped out the back door and through the alleyway. The small staff parking lot was where most of the Sinners parked their motorcycles, and I spotted Cain’s immediately in front of the front spots. As we approached, he handed me his helmet. Taking it from him, I buckled it around my chin as he climbed onto the shiny black bike before I slipped on behind him.
As my hands wrapped around his middle, he pushed up the kickstand and cranked the ignition. The bike roared to life and he let it idle for a second before shooting off like a bullet, pulling onto the main road in the direction of my condo.
I didn’t give him my address, nor had he asked for it, which in hindsight shouldn’t have surprised me as much as it had.
