Page 75 of Dark Horse

“It’s okay. It’s okay. It’s not your fault. They’re being assholes. You can’t do anything about that. Are you safe? Are the rest of the girls safe?” I ask.

“Yeah. Grant’s security guy was here and threatened them with everything in the book. But they still didn’t stop. He made sure they didn’t touch any of us though.”

“All right. Just make sure everyone is okay. I’m coming, all right? I’ll be right there.” As I’m saying the last words, I see Grant on a mission, headed straight for me. His security must have called and given him a heads-up. “Just give me a few minutes to get a ride and get over there.”

“Okay. You don’t need to rush. I’ll stay here until you get back.” I hear a murmur of a voice in the background. “Jack said he’s going to stay with me so don’t worry, okay?”

“Okay. I’m so sorry this happened to you, Hayley. Please don’t blame yourself, okay?”

“I’ll try. See you in a bit.”

“See you soon,” I say and then disconnect the call. Grant’s eyes are blazing with fury.

“I assume that’s your staff telling you what’s going on.” He looks at my phone.

“I assume your security told you.”

“I know you’re going to want to go over there, so we’ll go together. I’ll have one of my guys drive us since we’ve both had drinks.”

I nod. “I can’t believe they’re doing this. She said they’re shutting down the bar altogether. That there was something official.”

“Yeah. Jack gave me a heads-up about it. They’ve got a laundry list of stupid little fucking details. They don’t normally shut people down over them, but my guess is that Officer Spencer has a friend in the health department. Don’t worry. We’ll get it handled.”

“I still need to go and see the place. She said they broke things, and I’m just worried about her. She was so upset. I hate that this happened tonight.” It’s one of the many reasons I hate taking time off.

“Jack’s there with her. She’ll be okay. But I agree. Let’s go take a look and make sure.”

“All right. Let me just tell Hazel I have to leave for a bit.”

We’re pullingup to the bar in record time. His driver didn’t waste any getting us over here, and this time of night, there wasn’t a ton of traffic to compete with in a small town like Purgatory Falls. Hazel was understanding and even told me not to worry about coming back. But I left everything at the hotel that I needed for the night and tomorrow since I planned to stay at the Avarice. I’m more worried about the fact that I’m going to have giant bags under my eyes by the time everything is said and done.

When we walk in and Hayley sees me, she starts crying, running over and wrapping her arms around me.

“I sent everyone else home except for Gemma and Addy. I needed someone to help me clean up all the broken glass.”

I look over and see Gemma and Addy with a giant trash can and a broom and pan. It’s full of glass, and I walk over to peer inside the bag. It’s nearly half-full.

“That many?” I gasp.

“Those motherfuckers,” Grant curses under his breath.

“They said some of them had fruit flies inside, and they had to destroy it so we didn’t serve it that way. But they were lying. They were just making up excuses to make a mess. They did it in front of patrons, too, as they were throwing people out. They kept saying how dirty it was—”

I press my hand to my heart, and tears start to form in my eyes. I kept it together on the drive over, and Grant let me have my silence when he asked if I was okay. I needed to think. To meditate on staying calm because letting these motherfuckers have my peace when they didn’t deserve an ounce of my attention is not a thing I’m willing to cede. But knowing they denigrated this place like that, the place my parents left to my brother, and my brother left to me when he died—the place I worked so damn hard to keep up and make a second home and an escape for the people of Purgatory Falls is crushing my heart.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t tell you all this. I didn’t mean to upset you; I just can’t believe it. Especially after the other day.” Hayley rubs my back as she talks, and I shake my head.

“It’s okay. It’s what happened. I just hate that I wasn’t here.”

“I think they knew you wouldn’t be here, honestly. They didn’t even ask to speak with management or anything. They just slammed that paper on the bar and started running people out and smashing things.”

“Everyone in this town knows the wedding is tomorrow and that you’re busy with it. They did it on purpose, waiting until tonight.” Grant’s voice still has a lethal undertone to it. I know he’ll make this all right for both of our sakes. I at least know that much, and it’s keeping me on my feet right now. I take a deep breath and clear my head.

“All right. You should go home, Hayley. Gemma and Addy, you guys too. Please. I just want you all to get some sleep. And you too, Jack, is that your name?” I look at him.

“That’s my name. Yes…” He looks at Grant instead of me for permission on whether or not he can leave.

“Do a perimeter check. Lock the doors. Set any outside alarms and lights. Make sure they’re all gone and no one’ssitting outside. Get the girls to their cars and on their way home safe. I’ll meet you back at the Avarice for a debrief when we’re done here.” Grant nods to Jack, and he jerks his chin in understanding.

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