Page 85 of Pray for the Damned

I nibble at my bottom lip as I consider my options. Trusting strangers isn’t something I often allow myself to do, but they might be my only choice right now. “I think I might be in danger,” I say softly.

“The man in the corner?” the man asks, his dark brows tugging together with concern.

I give a slight nod, but neither of them looks his way. “I’m not sure what to do, and the other waitress won’t be back from her break for a while yet.”

The man taps the bar a couple of times, and I can tell he’s thinking something through. “Okay, here’s what you’re going to do. I’m going to order something you can’t make out here. Whether or not you actually can is irrelevant, but it will give you a chance to call the other bar, where Abigail can alert Wyatt or Elias.”

“I don’t think they’re in tonight,” I tell him.

“Okay, what about Brodie then?”

The thought of the hulking security guard, who I quickly realized was nothing more than a big teddy bear, has my heart rate settling slightly. He won’t let anyone hurt me or anyone else here.

“Okay, I can do that.” I nod slightly.

“Oh babe!” The woman pats her partner’s shoulder, her voice loud enough that Emmett and Kade’s father should be able tohear. “You know what I could really go for? One of those cheese boards they do inside!”

“Did you want to head in?”

She sighs. “Not really, I just wanted a quiet drink before we head home, but I’m snacky.”

“Is there any chance we can order one of those for out here?” he asks.

I nod. “Yeah, let me call the other bar and get one sent out.”

Without missing a beat, I step to the phone and press my back to the wall beside it, making sure I have a good view of the whole room.

I dial the other bar, and Abigail answers on the second ring. “Hey, bestie! I miss you over here. How’s it going out there?”

I can’t help but scoff at the name. “Um, it’s okay. Listen, can you send a cheese board out here with Brodie?”

“With Brodie?” she asks, clearly confused by the request.

“Yeah, can you have Brodie bring it to the front bar?” I’m hoping she’ll take the hint, but I have no idea if I’m hinting enough for her to understand what I’m getting at.

“You need security?” she asks, her voice suddenly serious.

“As soon as possible,” I say. “Is Emmett in there?”

“No, he hasn’t shown up tonight, which I thought was odd, especially on a night you’re working.”

My brows knit together, he said he was going to be here while Kade worked. But something must have held him up. I probably have a message from him.

“I’m getting Brodie and Easton to come to you now, but can you slip into the back office for me?”

“Oka—” I don’t get to finish the word before I feel a gun press to my ribs. The owner of the weapon takes the phone from my hand and slowly places it back onto the receiver.

“Silly girl,” he murmurs. “Now, you’re going to walk out of here with me, and you’re not going to make a fuss unless youwant me to kill everyone here?” I don’t need to look up to know it’s my guys’ father holding the gun, and honestly, looking up would probably make matters worse at this point.

I shake my head. “No, please don’t. I’ll go with you.”

I can’t have that on my conscience, even if this might be the stupidest thing I’ve ever done. But maybe Abigail will get someone here before he can get me out the door.

He presses the barrel of the gun into my bruised ribs, and I let out a hiss as pain washes through me. “Shut up,” he snaps.

“I have a broken rib,” I grit out.

“I don’t really give a fuck what you have.” He pushes me toward the side door, and panic laces itself into every breath.

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