Page 38 of Pray for the Damned

“Keeping an eye on you, making sure you’re not taking work on outside of the family. Aside from that, I take jobs nearby, and he doesn’t ask questions.”

“And he only has you in the city?”

“That I know of.”

“What are you willing to do to keep Waverly safe?”

“Anything,” I answer immediately.

“Even stay away from her?”

“Anything but that.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

WAVERLY

My everything hurts.

Okay, so maybe that’s a little dramatic, but the bruising that didn’t seem so bad last night when I fell asleep looks and feels especially brutal in the light of day.

I’ve spent most of the day in bed, but by the time I need to make a decision about whether to work tonight or not, I’m already going stir-crazy.

I’ve spent a decade working as many hours as I can just to keep a roof over my head that I honestly can’t remember the last time I had a day off to lie around in bed, and I don’t think I’ll be making a habit out of it.

I dress in one of my new dresses, a long-sleeve minidress that accentuates my curves but still covers the evidence of yesterday. Now that I’m down to one job, I need to make the most of every shift I have.

The club is still quiet when I step through the front bar, and I make my way to the main room, slipping my handbag and jacket underneath the counter of the bar before turning to find Abigail hot on my heels.

“Are you okay, girl? Elias said you had an accident at your other job, and I was worried!” She looks me over for anynoticeable injuries but comes up empty. “I need to get your number so I can check in with you.”

“I’m fine,” I assure her with a smile as I fix my loose curls in the mirror behind the bar. My makeup is darker than normal tonight, but I like it. I have to admit, it was nice having time to get ready rather than rushing in and out of my apartment in five minutes or less.

“Are you sure? If you need me to carry the tray for you for big orders, you just let me know.”

My chest clenches at her kindness. I don’t think I’ve ever worked anywhere my coworkers actually cared about me, and I can’t help but feel overwhelmed by Abigail’s offer. “Thank you. Really, I appreciate it so much.”

“I’ve got your back, girl!” She beams as her eyes fall on someone behind me, and her smile turns to a smirk. “I’m going to grab some extra vodka from the back. I’ll be back.”

She’s gone before I can turn around, and when I do, I find Emmett on the other side of the bar with a worried look. “Oh hey, you’re here early.”

He nods. “I wanted to check in with you. I went by your apartment, but you’d already left.”

“I’m fine,” I tell him. “Can I get you a drink?”

“Sure.”

I turn my back on him, making quick work of pouring him two fingers of his favorite neat whiskey and slide it across the dark marble bar, only to find a gift box sitting between us.

“What’s this?” I ask with a frown.

“It’s for you.” He smiles shyly, and I stare at the box for long moments. When was the last time someone bought me something? Has anyone ever given me a gift?

The fact I even have to think about it tells me no one has, and I’m lost for words that Emmett, someone who was a perfect stranger a week ago, thought to buy me something.

“I can’t take that,” I whisper, my voice wavering.

He chuckles and pushes it closer. “Yes, you can. Please?”

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