Page 19 of The Huntress and Her Hound

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“Thank God, you’re here,” Sarah lets out a breath of relief. Her blue hair is pulled up in a bun on top of her head. “There’s a bachelor party that’s driving me nuts. I swear I’d love for any of them to disappear.”

I roll my eyes as I slide behind the counter, the evening air tinged with an almost cool breeze. I squeeze her arm. “Sorry for running a little late.” I got caught up having a mental breakdown in the elevator.

“It’s all good. Bossman isn’t here tonight, so no trouble will come for you.” Sarah laughs. However, it fades as a stocky blond-headed man slaps his hand on the bar. “And there’s one of them now.”

“Excuse me?” he shouts over the music. “I’m thirsty.” Sarah grumbles something incoherent, but I pat her shoulder.

“I’ve got this one.”

“Thank you,” she murmurs, as I slip past her and plaster a fake smile on my face.

“Sorry about that. What can I get you?” The sweet tone drips off my lips in a way that causes his gaze to drop to my mouth.

“That’s a lot of clothes to wear in the Vegas heat,” he mentions, raking over my black long-sleeve crop top. It has a hole placed right over my cleavage, but clearly, even that is not enough for him. “She’s got on less.”

I glance over to Sarah, who he’s pointing to, sporting a black bandeau and a high-waisted leather skirt. “Yeah, to each their own. I guess I prefer to leave a little mystery.”

His brown eyes sweep over my figure. “I think I might like that.”

“Mmm.” I bite down on the inside of my cheek, careful not to roll my eyes. “So what can I get you to drink?”

His eyes drop to pussy level. “I can think of something...”

My demons screech in my head. ‘Give him something to drink, Cher. He’s thirsty. Show him how good you can fucking taste.’

I grit my teeth, my palms sweating for the GHB in my purse. It would be so easy to slip a little in his drink, and then watch him stumble around all fucking night. Maybe he’d get alcohol poisoning. Maybe he’d just wake up alone in an alley somewhere. Maybe someone would mug him in his vulnerable state...

“Just give me whatever beer is on tap,” his coarse voice cuts through my thoughts.

“Got it.” I spin around, shaking it off. I can’t target anyone that shows up at work. It’s how I get my party invites, but I never hunt the crowd here. It’s too risky. I fill up a Blue Moon and add it to his tab, relief flowing through my chest as he wanders away.

“What a creep,” Sarah comments as I turn back to her. “I hate guys like that.”

“I’ll add him to my list,” I joke, shooting her a grin.

“Yeah, please do.” She pours a glass of water and hands it to me. “I swear working at this place reminds me of why I don’t want a boyfriend. I think I’ll stick with women.”

“Girls can be pervs, too,” I point out, sipping on the water.

“True, but I think I could take most of them.”

I burst into laughter. “You’re something else.”

She winks at me, and then scurries off to help a group of women at the end of the bar. I sigh and settle into my façade, making drinks and chatting with Sarah as the time passes. She has no real idea of what I do with the drugs she supplies me—though I’m sure the nickname she’s given me is evidence of suspicion, but in a city like this, no one fucking goes there. There are more drugs floating around than anyone could track, and it almost makes it too easy for me to fly under the radar.

“What’re you doing after work?” Sarah asks five and a half hours later. “Going home to sleep your life away?”

“Probably,” I lie to her. I haven’t gotten any invitations to private parties, but I still have my list of regular spots I intend to hit. I’m itching to hunt tonight, and the encounter with Jude is starting to feel like a distant memory. Once I remind myself of my own power, I’ll be able to face him with ease.

Maybe I could even toy with him.

“You can always come home with me.” She nudges me with her elbow, and giggles.

I roll my eyes at her. “Nice try.”

“You know I didn’t mean it like that,” she snorts. “But seriously, I have a killer stack of horror movies that I think fit your aura.”

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