Page 17 of Marked

But when I look at Zack, and he winks, it’s not the same. There’s no crudeness here. Just confidence and charm.

“Hey! I know you!” a man slurs as he slides up next to Zack, trying to shove him out of the way so he can get in front of me.

But Zack doesn’t move, he’s like a brick wall.

The drunk man has no idea what’s happening, so he just stays pressed up against Zack.

“Can I get you something? A cup of coffee maybe?” I ask. He’s clearly drunk.

He shakes his head while wagging his finger at me.

“No. No. I know you. You’re that girl.” He snaps his fingers, looking from me to Zack. “You know, the girl. She was on the news last night.”

My stomach twists. I don’t know why I thought this year would be any different. There’s always some journalist who wants to dredge up the past. They always say it’s in the name of justice. Bringing more eyes to the case might help solve it.

Truth is, they just want the ratings. And our story brings the ratings.

“Here. On the house.” I pour a cup of lukewarm coffee and slide it across the bar at him. The music’s lower now. There’s almost no one on the dance floor anymore and the DJ is getting ready to pack up.

“You’re…fuck, what’s your name?” His bushy eyebrows knit together and his mouth puckers as he tries to place me.

“Why don’t you take your coffee and find a place to sober up?” Zack brings the cup closer to the drunkard, but it only pisses him off more.

His brows knit together and his bloodshot, watery eyes narrow.

“Quinn!” He snaps his fingers again, then his mouth splits into a grin, exposing a missing tooth.

A chill runs up my back. “No. That was my sister. Please, go drink your coffee.”

“Shit. Sorry.” He frowns. “You’re the other one. The one that didn’t get killed. Man, I’m sorry about that. What happened? That was horrible.” He’s rambling now. “But all the money, that had to be good right?” He laughs a little.

Zack reaches behind the guy, and grabs him by the back of his shirt collar.

“She doesn’t want to talk to you. Last chance to walk away.” Zack’s eyes narrow, his entire presence is like a stormcloud barreling down on us. The chill turns warm as it runs through my body.

This man is dangerous.

I can see in his eyes; he has no problem bringing this drunk asshole pain.

“I was just asking.” The drunk shakes his head. “I mean, your sister gets blown away right in front of you and it could have been you, wow. Right? I mean, if you had been the one chosen to die instead of live? Yeah. Wow. Really fucks with your brain.” He’s still rambling when Zack yanks him from the stool and drops him to the floor.

“I think that’s enough tonight.” Zack doesn’t give him a chance to get up, he just stalks toward the exit, dragging the drunk guy along with him like a pet rock on a leash.

“What’s going on?” Carl runs up to me.

“The guy was causing a problem. Don’t worry, he’s leaving,” I say, my face heats.

“Who’s the guy dragging him?”

“That’s Zack,” I say with a small tug on my lips.

“Zack, huh?” Carl looks at me and shakes his head. “Just make sure there’s nothing to clean up. Why don’t you clock out? Me and Jason can close up tonight.”

“You sure?”

He glances at Zack, who’s walking back inside from the front door, without the drunk, and he nods. “Yeah. I think you have better things to do tonight anyway.” Carl takes the cup of untouched coffee. “Besides, it’s about time you had something other than a book to keep you company at night.”

He laughs at his own cleverness and walks away.

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