Page 5 of Clubs

Were cops at the bar uncommon? No. They’d shown a handful of times since I’d met Declan. Sometimes it was a traffic stop on the highway outside. Others it was a fight that got out of hand over a game of poker. But I’d never seen that look on Emory’s face.

It wasn’t concern, but fear shone in his brown eyes. Sweat dribbled along the line of his copper hair.

“What’s the matter?” I asked.

“They said they were watching the back door,” Emory said.

My brows furrowed in confusion. Because they thought Declan was gonna run? What from?

No, Declan wasn’t known for his friendly demeanor, but he wasn’t a criminal. He managed the bar, he went to the gym, and he fucked me. That was his life.

Declan was already walking through the stainless-steel swinging door by the time that registered. I took off in a semi jog behind him.

Three patrolmen, and one man in a suit.

Not a bar fight. Not a traffic stop.

“You own the place now, don’t you, Declan?” the one in the suit asked.

“I do.” Declan took a sip from his Jack and Coke from behind the bar. “What can I do for you?”

“Put your hands above your head,” the man in the suit said.

Declan still held the glass. He glanced at it. “Mind if I put this down first?”

One patrolman reached to his hip. “Just keep your hands where we can see them.”

Declan did so, not breaking eye contact for a second. Once his hands were in the air, he wiggled his fingers and gave a teasing smile. “I do have a pocketknife in my back pocket, but I’m not touching it.”

“What’s this about?” I asked, stepping forward. “He’s been here all night. He—”

“Sweetheart,” Declan said. “Please shut your mouth.”

I didn’t appreciate that, but it was spoken as softly as the ‘sweetheart’ at the beginning of the sentence.

One cop came around the bar and began patting him down.

“He didn’t consent to being searched,” Emory said, stepping up behind me. “He—”

“Do you consent to being searched?” the guy in the suit asked Declan.

“Well, he’s doing it already.” Declan’s tone ranged closer to smart ass than his usual shut up and leave me alone attitude. “You gonna tell me what this is about yet?”

“Declan Caras, you’re under arrest for the murder of Alicia Tanner—”

“What?!” I rushed forward, only for Emory to grab my arm and haul me backward.

The patrolman led Declan around the bar toward the exit. “Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an…”

I spun to Emory and yanked my arm from his hold. “He didn’t kill anyone. He—”

“Obviously,” he snapped. “But we’re gonna bail him out. We can’t afford to post for both of you.”

“Code to the safe is in the box under my bed,” Declan called as they led him out the door.

And before you ask, his voice sounded in my mind, I have no idea who Alicia Tanner is, and you know I don’t fuck with drugs. But I have the right to remain silent, so I’m going to.

CHAPTER TWO

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