Page 24 of Apple Martinis

He’s never known me to be with any woman ever so he was extremely surprised when I told him about her. So he demanded an introduction and wants us all to go out for lunch tomorrow on my day off.

The lunch crowd had the bar packed all day today and I didn’t have much time to think about much other than customers' orders for food as well as drinks.

Happy hour kicked off about half an hour ago and I’ve still not heard from Piper.

Hopefully she had a good day shopping. I started to offer her my credit card this morning to pay for all of her purchases today but she seems like the type that would refuse. It surprised me that it was something I wanted to do for her though.

I’ve made more than enough money just on my stocks that I could retire to an island somewhere and never have to work again. I enjoy being a bartender though and have no plans to ever stop being one.

That’s exactly why I have considered opening my own place but the location has to be perfect. I still want it to be a beach location.

I enjoy the water too much for it to be anywhere else. A vacation destination with the potential to be in the black the first year.

With happy hour winding down and the night ahead looking like a packed house, I decide that I should go on my ten minute break before it gets too crazy.

Making sure Finn covers my area, I grab my phone and step outside, just far enough off the veranda so the music doesn’t interfere with my call.

Dialing Piper’s number, it rings several times before she finally answers out of breath.

“You sound like you’ve been running.”

“Just carrying a bunch of bags all day. I’m almost back to the condo.” She says.

“Have you been walking around town all day?” My brows crease with worry.

“Yeah. I mean, that’s what I do back home. My way of cutting down on pollution and all that.” She answers.

“I understand wanting to save the planet but it’s really not wise for a woman to walk alone these days. Tell me where you are and I’ll come get you.” I say, walking back through the bar, not stopping when Finn yells out asking where I’m going.

“There’s no need. I can see the sign for Sweet Cocktails from here. Oh, hold on a minute. I think this person is asking me for directions.”

“Piper, keep walking!” I demand as the beat of my heart increases, so do my feet as I run out the door.

“Piper?” I ask through the phone, coming to a stop on the sidewalk.

I look both ways trying to figure out which direction she was coming from. Just as I’m about to go right, a small scream comes from the left right as it comes through the phone.

Taking off in the direction I heard the scream, I can see a scuffle just beyond the street lights. I’m almost there when I hear her scream yet again.

“Piper!” I yell, running as fast as I can.

I see a huge man jump out of a van and grab her legs, helping the other asshole get her inside. She’s fighting as hard as she can but they are too strong for her.

The van tires squeal as it takes off before the door even slides shut and I come to a stop in the very spot they grabbed her.

“FUCK!” I scream into the night.

Grabbing my phone, I call the police, hoping like hell they can find the van before it gets too far away.

“Fucking hell.” I whisper into the night, staring down the road in the direction the van took.

What the fuck just happened?

Who the fuck took her?

WHY the fuck did they take her?

That last question gives me anxiety with thoughts as I wait for the cops to show up. Just as I see blue lights heading this way, August comes jogging up with confusion on his face.

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