Page 48 of Lucifer's Hounds

Cass: It sucks. I never have anyone to travel with me. It’s no fun without someone to share it with.

Lilly: Wish I were there. I love traveling.

“Anyway. He and I have had a thing going on since. Don’t ask me what, cause I’m not one hundred percent sure, but…it’s something,” I say, finishing my story.

“Well.” Carrie takes a sip of her beer.

“When’s Cass supposed to be back from California?” Leo asks, directing his question to Scott.

Mindy pipes up. “He’s supposed to be back by Wednesday night.”

“Oh. Okay.”

“How did today go? Did you get everything set up?” Mindy asks, turning her attention to me.

“Yes ma’am. Everything is good to go. Now all we have left are the finishing touches inside, then open the doors on Friday.”

“That’s awesome. I’m so excited!”

I look around at the people at the bar. These are my people. I don’t know how to describe it, but they just are. This energy. This vibe. I love it.

My phone buzzes again.

Cass: I wish you were too; I could use good company.

Lilly: One day, maybe.

Scott claps a hand on my shoulder, and I jump nearly out of my barstool.

He snickers. “You stay jumpy, don’t you?”

“No, I just don’t like surprises.”

“What do you have planned this evening?” he asks.

“I’m not sure I have anything planned other than hanging out here. Why?”

“I was given indirect orders to make sure you are safe, so let’s take a drive,” he says.

“Safe from what?”

“Anything,” Scott responds.

Looking toward Leo and Carrie, he nods at Leo. Leo nods back. They seem to have already discussed whatever it is that Scott has planned.

“All right. I’m in. But I have two conditions,” I say. Scott raises an eyebrow.

“One, I drive,” I lead with that. Scott nods in approval.

“And two, we stop and get Taco Bell before we reach our destination.” I cross my arms and wait for any objection.

Scott nods his head again, barely concealing a smirk. “Done. Say goodbyes and get in the car.”

Stern and serious. Cass is keeping an eye on me vicariously. I turn to Mindy. “I’ll see you bright and early in the morning. We have to get in here and start stocking when the beer and liquor come in and we have to program the POS system, as well as a shit ton of other things.”

She pulls me into a tight hug and whispers in my ear. “You good?”

I nod into her shoulder inconspicuously. “Yes ma’am. See you then.”

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