Page 10 of Dali: The Demolisher

That only made me sadder because I wished I knew. I wished I knew what he could do. What I could do… to make this shit go away. But I didn’t, and that’s what made me feel so helpless. I hated feeling like I couldn’t control my emotions when I couldn’t control my surroundings. Covering my face, I shook my head. I was tired of crying and being sad and angry over this.

Kennessy pulled me into his arms and held me as I cried. That was all I needed, I suppose. Or at least the only thing I needed that he could give.

Five Nights Later

“Whew!It is crazy in here tonight,” Mona said.

She was my favorite cousin and I loved when we worked the same shift. They went by quicker and were a hell of a lot of fun. Tonight was more fun anyway because it was our second line dance night, and it was packed. I took the guys advice and got some flyers made. When I was off, I handed them out at places I believed I’d find people the events would appeal to, and it paid off.

I planned to thank Dali for the idea before he left. He’d been at the bar every night this past week to make sure I was okay. We didn’t talk, and we didn’t have to. Every evening, he came to my home and trailed me to work. He’d be back before my shift was over and make sure I made it home safely. I didn’t bother telling him he didn’t have to do it because he wouldn’t listen anyway.

This was what he did anytime I was triggered and feeling unsafe—even if the lack of security was only in my mind and heart. I knew there was no real threat to me physically, but as I worked through the memories of Camila and Brandon, Dali always made it his business to make sure I knew I was protected in all ways.

“I know, right? That means business is gonna be good,” I said, quickly making my way to the opposite side of the bar. The night wasn’t over yet, and I’d already made six hundred in tips.

“That means tips will be too!” she yelled over the music with a smile and wink.

After pouring the shot of Jack Daniels that one of my regulars requested, I walked it over and asked, “Can I get you anything else, love?”

“Just you.”

Flirting came with the job, and when the man was as fine as Hunter, I didn’t mind—at all. Not only was he fine but he was a successful dentist too. My eyes scanned his bitter chocolate-hued face, settling on his dazzling smile.

“What do you want that you can have, Hunter?”

“Tell me why I can’t have you,” he demanded softly, sliding his card in my direction.

“I don’t date customers.”

“Everyone in this damn town is your customer.”

“Exactly.”

I shot him a wink and walked away to clear his tab as he laughed. That was kind of true. Jasper Lane was such a small town that almost everyone knew everyone, and if you liked liquor and bar food, you’d been toEver’s Pubat least once. It was the oldest bar in town and our customers ranged from early twenties to late eighties.

“Hunter still trying to get at you?” Mona asked, pressing buttons on the touch screen register next to me.

“Girl, yes.”

“If you don’t give his fine ass some play! I don’t know what’s been going on with you this year, but you are not the cousin I used to run the streets with.”

That got a good chuckle out of me. Mona and I used to go on several dates a week in our early twenties. I loved dating different kinds of men because it helped me learn what I liked and didn’t like. It also kept me from ever settling because I wasn’t used to dating good men or having good sex. Lately,though, dating was starting to feel played out. I wasn’t sure if it was because I knew the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with and simply couldn’t or if it was because I was tired of dating the men in Jasper Lane.

“My dating life has been kind of dry this year, huh?”

“As hell. Give that man a chance, cuz. Have some fun and live a little!”

As I considered her words, my eyes shifted over to Dali. His attention was on his phone, and he was looking good as hell tonight himself. Gritting my teeth, I focused on the screen and cleared Hunter’s tab. Thinking about and looking at Dali would make it even harder for me to consider dating Hunter or anyone else for that matter.

I walked around the bar and made my way between Hunter’s legs.

“Ooh,” he almost moaned, spreading them wider slightly.

I handed him his card, and like he always did, he gave me a hundred-dollar tip. I slipped it between my breasts, directing his attention there.

“If you ask me out again, I’m going to say yes.”

As Hunter processed my words, a slow grin spread his lips.

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