Page 28 of Filthy Hot

Lifting my hand, I wave to him lamely. Before I trip and fall flat on my ass, I turn around and make my way inside of Sal’s Bar. It’s quiet. Dennis is behind the bar already and gives me a two-fingered wave without looking up as I step into the room.

Sal steps out of his office after I’ve put my bag beneath the bar. Dennis is focused on whatever it is he has on his clipboard in front of him and doesn’t seem to care who is coming or going, even if it’s Sal from his office.

“Everything okay?” I ask Sal, straightening my legs.

Sal frowns. His gaze finds mine, and he seems as though he’s aged ten years just in one evening. I start to ask him again if he is all right, but he begins to speak, and when he does, my heart slams against my chest, and the hairs on my arms stand in fear.

“The bar was broken into last night,” he announces.

My body freezes, and ice fills my veins. I stare at him, not knowing what to say, but my entire body wants to run. I want to climb into my car, shift the car intoDrive, and get the hell out of here, out of Pineville, out of Texas, out of the United States altogether.

“What happened?” I ask on a whisper.

He shrugs a shoulder. He appears to be unbothered by the situation, but I can tell he’s upset deep down.

“Nothing was taken or damaged. But it was a clear warning.”

“A warning?”

He hums, nodding a few times, then clears his throat. “Yes, but for me, not you. I just wanted to keep you informed so you can keep an eye out. Don’t go anywhere alone. Dennis or one of the bouncers from the back room can walk you to your car at the end of the night.”

“I’m safe?” I ask on a whisper, even though I’m not sure I would even believe his answer. I know deep down that I won’t ever be safe, not if Xavier is alive and chasing me.

“You’re safe,” he confirms.

He jerks his chin, his eyes finding mine and holding my gaze as he silently stares at me. I don’t know if he’s trying to talk me into that safety or if he truly believes it. I don’t question him, though. I can’t.

My entire body is on edge, and I don’t know what to think or do, so I decide to stay busy.

“Please let me know if there is anything I can do,” I murmur.

I don’t mean it. I can’t help, and even if I could do something, I would probably just freeze in the middle of it. I’m not sure if this has anything to do with Xavier, but considering that is where my focus is, I can think of nothing else.

“Just stay safe, and don’t be alone.”

Sal turns around and walks away. I think about telling him that Xavier could have been the one who broke in, but I don’t. Xavier would have taken something. He would have stolen something, everything. He would have torn shit up. He’s an asshole through and through. Without a doubt, he would have left his mark.

I spend the rest of the night working hard. I try to forget about the break-in, about Xavier. But as busy as I am, I can’tquite forget about Xavier. He’s right there in the back of my mind. I’m unable to shake him from my thoughts.

When Dennis shouts out the last call, I’m surprised. I wasn’t sure how late it was, but I didn’t think it was already closing time. My mind has been completely gone, lost, and in a faraway land… living in fear.

I wish I could have spent the whole evening daydreaming about Rider and all the delicious things he did to me this morning. But once again, Xavier has ruined it all. I hate him—more than I’ve ever hated anyone on this earth.

The last drinks are served, the last tabs are paid, and the people have begun to file out of the main floor. Then the men begin to come out of the back in almost a steady line until the last few trickle out.

I count out my till and gather my things, pocketing my tip money and placing the rest in the bank bag. Once I’m finished cashing out for the night, I grab my belt bag and throw it over my shoulder as Bren appears.

Her eyes find mine, and she stops in her tracks immediately.

I do the same, my entire body completely frozen. She narrows her gaze on me, then marches toward me, stopping directly in front of me. I suck in a breath and hold it for a moment as she reaches her arm out, her fingers curling around my shoulder, and she jerks it gently.

“Bren?” I ask.

“Kyle. You got laid,” she whispers. My eyes widen, and I stare at her for a moment. Her face changes, she smiles, and then she laughs. “At least it was good.”

“At least?” I ask, breaking my silence. She hums, nodding her head a couple of times before she responds.

“Those men are hot as shit. They all know what they’re doing. It was good, right?”

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