Page 54 of Boss Daddy

I smirk, shaking the cocktail shaker in one hand while grabbing a bottle of rum with the other.

“Coming right up!” I call back. In less than a minute, the mojitos are garnished and on the counter, and I’m already pouring the Long Island mix.

“You’re a magician, Erin!” a guy says, lifting his glass.

“I prefer expert in my craft, but magician works too!”

The tips are flowing as fast as the drinks. Things are moving nonstop, and I feel the familiar rush of satisfaction.

The crowd finally thins a little, and I’m wiping down the counter, catching my breath. Mark sidles up next to me, holding a tray of glasses.

“You’re killing it tonight.”

“Thanks,” I say, grabbing a fresh rag. “You too, but we’re not done yet.”

“Nope, and that’s why you’re taking a break.” He points toward the back door.

I raise an eyebrow. “A break? Do you see this crowd?”

Mark laughs. “Exactly why you need one. Go take five before the next rush hits. I’ve got this.”

I open my mouth to argue, but he holds up a hand, shaking his head. “Nope. Break. Now.”

I roll my eyes but can’t help the small smile tugging at my lips. “Fine, but only because I trust you not to burn the place down.”

“Gee, thanks.” He winks before turning back to the bar and the crowd of customers on the other side.

As I step out into the alley, the cool night air hits my face, and I take a deep breath, letting it calm the buzz in my head. It’s peaceful out here. Almost too peaceful, really. As soon as I’m alone, I realize I’d rather be back in the action.

Then I hear a scream. It cuts through the quiet, high-pitched and full of terror. My head snaps up and I see Tiffany, runningacross the street, panic all over her face. Two men are chasing her, both dressed head-to-toe in black.

My heart’s racing. I need to help her.

“Tiffany!” I shout.

She doesn’t hear me. She’s too focused on running, her steps uneven as she stumbles.

I run to the end of the alley, my heart pounding, but when I try to step out, I slam into an invisible wall. The force jolts me backward, and I reach out, my hands pressing against what feels like solid glass, though there’s nothing there.

“What the hell?”

Tiffany runs further down the street, but the men are getting closer.

I have to do something. I whirl around to head back inside to get Samuel, but the door is gone. How is this possible? The door I’d just stepped through is now nothing but solid brick.

I rush back to the invisible wall, spotting Tiffany again.

“Tiffany!” I scream, pounding on the invisible barrier as if sheer willpower could break it. She’s slowing now, her legs giving out as the men close in.

“Tiffany, run!” I shout, but my voice feels small, swallowed by the night. One of the men grabs her arm, and she screams.

And so do I.

I jolt awake, gasping for breath, my heart hammering against my ribs.

The room is dark and quiet, the only sound the faint ticking of the clock on the nightstand. I’m in Samuel’s bed, alone. It wasn’t real, only a horrible nightmare.

I press a hand to my chest, trying to steady myself. But even as the fear fades, the image of Tiffany running, the sound of her screaming, lingers in my mind.

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