Page 25 of Fate's Unseen Shadow

A friend?

The next second, Lacy released her and stepped to the side. “Well, long time no see!” she announced, moving down the bar toward a new customer who’d sat down. She seemed to know everyone. And even if she didn’t, she pretended like she did.

Ella concentrated on making the rum and Coke with the right measurements for the lady who stood in front of her, pressed firmly against the side of a man three times her size. Damon and Lacy both said the bar on Thursday was less busy than Friday and Saturday nights. So far, she’d hardly taken a breath since about nine o’clock.

Passing over the drink, she took the cash the lady handed her. “Keep the change.” She walked off, and Ella went to the cash register to log in the sale.

Lacy threw her head back, laughing at whatever the guy at the counter said. Ella checked the time. Fifteen minutes until last call, and Lacy acted like it was two in the afternoon instead of nearly midnight. Ella’s body ached from the unaccustomed movement after sitting for so long in her car, but she loved it. The past few hours hadn’t included any worrying about her situation, and the mental break was exactly what she needed.

“Ella,” Lacy called. “Come here and meet one of my old regulars.”

“Old?” He laughed. “I feel it most days, but I wouldn’t throw myself in that category yet.”

He appeared to be in his mid-40s, maybe early 50s. Rich brown skin and amber eyes. Attractive. He wore a buttoned-down shirt, sleeves rolled up, like he might have come there straight from work.

Lacy motioned to her. “This is Ella. The boys finally got me some help back here, and she’s been a godsend. I can’t wait for the help tomorrow and Saturday night.”

Ella smiled at the compliment. “You’re a great teacher.” She picked up an empty glass and wiped the counter underneath it with a rag.

“This is Detective Jeff Moore. He and Slater used to work together. Before Slater decided to go rogue.”

The glass slipped from Ella’s fingers.

Detective?

Lacy moved to get the broom. “Honey, are you okay? Don’t move.”

As usual in society, the place had gone quiet when the glass fell, the few people left staring at her.

Ella squatted down and picked up a few larger pieces, hands shaking. “I’m sorry, Lacy.” The glass in her hand sliced her middle finger.

Gasping, she stood, staring at the blood welling to the surface. A large hand reached out and gently took her wrist. It was the detective.

“Here,” he said, leaning over the counter to reach her. Slowly, he pulled her in his direction, forcing her to move. “Let me look for any glass in that cut before we wrap it up.” He flipped on his cell phone flashlight and began investigating the wound.

Her body trembled. Not from the cut.

Detective Moore picked up a cocktail napkin and dabbed at the cut.

She hissed.

“I know it hurts.” He looked back at her, smiling again. “Sometimes these little things hurt worse than actual injuries.”

Ryker walked up to one side of the detective. “Are you okay?” His typical smile had vanished from his face as he looked between her and the detective. Did he know that this was the police?

Ella’s laugh sounded fake and forced. “I think I’m fine.”

Xavier moved to the detective’s other side. “What did you do there, blondie?”

“The glass was wet. Slipped right out.” She kept her head down, hoping to hide her face a little. “I think it’s fine now.”

She started to pull her arm back, but the detective held on to it. “Hey,” he said, waiting to continue until she looked back up at him. “I’ll take an opening when I have one. I know you worked a full shift, but other places stay open later than Cager on a Thursday. Do you want to go grab a drink once you’re off?”

Not only was someone looking to arrest her holding her hand, but he’d asked her out on a date? Her lips parted, but she had no clue what to say, and no words came out.

Ryker and Xavier shared a look behind his back as Slater approached.

And as much as she wanted to let the panic crawling up the back of her throat free, she held tight to her composure.

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