Page 74 of Filthy Liar

For self-preservation, it’s time for me to go. I’m just not sure if I can actually do it.

CHAPTER

TWENTY-EIGHT

DILLION

Sal’s Bar is busy,just like any other night, but for some reason, this seems different. Busier, or maybe the air is charged. With what? I don't know, but it doesn’t feel the way it did last night.

I can feel eyes on me with each move I make, and I know that those eyes belong to Wackie. At least, I hope that’s the only person staring at me all night. It would be creepier if it was someone else. I wonder what his real name is. I know it isn’t what he’s introduced himself as, but at the same time, I figure he wouldn’t tell me anyway, so I should probably just let it go.

The shift goes by quickly, as it always does. These men are focused on their game, with only a few wandering pinches here and there. Now that they’re used to me, and I’ve become a daily figure, they’re over trying to hit on me.

I’m old hat now, and I’m good with that. It could also be that Wackie is staring at all of them menacingly, but I’m going to go with the fact that they’re bored with me, and they know nothing is going to happen.

Last call, last hand is announced, and I let out a heavy sigh of relief. I’m exhausted from working at the bakery all afternoon and then here all evening. But it’s a good kind of tired that comes with accomplishment and hard work.

What a long-ass day, but I’m not mad about it at all.

I feel exhausted in a good way.

In the best way.

I’m also having second thoughts about selling my house and running away. Again, I’m trusted here. Shawn would have never let me run the front of the bakery if she didn’t trust me a little bit. Ryan even confided in me about her new pregnancy.

Could I have real friends?

Not the girls from the coffee place who kind of tolerated me because I had nothing better to do but real friends. Women I could call if I needed help. Women who trust me enough to call me when they need help.

Once I have all my cleanup duties completed, I grab my purse from its hidden place and shrug the strap over my shoulder. I move toward the door and stop in front of Wackie. Tipping my head backward, I look up at him.

He grins down at me, his gaze searching my own. “You ready to go home?” he asks.

I could tell him the truth, that the last place I want to be is at that house, or I could lie to him so I don’t have to explain myself or my feelings. I choose the lie. And the lie suits me for now.

“Yeah,” I exhale, gripping my keys tightly.

Together, we walk out of the club and toward my car. There aren’t any other cars in the parking lot aside from mine and Wackie’s bike. That strikes me as odd. Usually, the strippers’ cars are still here when I leave, and Kyle is always one of the last out the door.

“Wackie?” I call out, turning my head.

He’s got his phone to his ear. He’s listening intently and paying zero attention to me. Then he lifts his head, and his eyes find mine. His gaze is wild and causes me to pause. I don’t know what is happening or why he’s staring at me the way he is.

Opening my mouth to ask him what is happening, I snap it closed because he’s still listening to whoever is on the other end of the line. It’s got to be someone from their group because it’s well after three in the morning. Who the hell else would be calling him this late… or early?

That feeling, the one I had the first night back at work after my kidnapping, the uneasiness, the fear, the terror—it consumes me. Something is very wrong here. I’m just not sure what it is.

My body is frozen, unable to move. That fight-or-flight thing is completely lost on my natural instincts because I’m simply unable to move at all. Wackie, on the other hand, is pacing slightly.

Then he stops.

Facing me again with big eyes, he nods and ends the call. I watch as he shoves his phone in his pocket.

“You need to get to the clubhouse,” he announces.

Frowning, I press my lips together and roll them a few times. “Why?” I ask.

He shakes his head once, his gaze connecting with my own. “It’s club business, and I don’t even know it all. But you need to get there. We’ll run by your house and grab you some clothes and whatever shit you need.”

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