Page 14 of After Darkness Falls

Plastering a smile on her lips because she needed tips, she placed their order on the middle of their table, doing her best to ignore their obnoxious conversation.

"All I'm saying is only one percent of sups go to high school, not even university. They're all brawn and no brain. Have you ever heard of a sup scientist, or astronaut? Vamps are rich as fuck, but only because they live long enough to amass their wealth. We're really the superior species."

What the fuck were they doing at Sucker Punch if they were anti-sup? Charles's clientele was notorious for being mostly paranormals and tourists.

"Now, now," said Obnoxious Two, eyes cutting to her. "Sups are generally great company." His eyes roamed over her curves, making her want to puke.

Because she worked here, people often assumed she was a sup of some kind. It was no secret that shifters and vampires had a high libido, so that invited shit-tons of unwelcome demands from idiots. Idiots, because if she had been a vampire or shifter, she could have kicked their lecherous asses.

Tips, tips, tips,she reminded herself.

"Enjoy your drinks, gentlemen."

After making her way back to the bar, Chloe ran drinks to the bachelorette party, another alcove, the balcony, and a private party in the back. Eleven waitresses were working the floor tonight, and they managed to clear the orders relatively fast.

Chloe took a second to stretch her sore wrists while the three bartenders worked on the next rounds. She had just started cracking her neck when a pair of large hands circled her waist. She froze before turning around and slapping them away.

They belonged to a large, plastered tourist. He was drunk, and so high he might just fly away. Knowing there was no point in attempting to lecture someone as far gone as that guy, she just pointed away and shouted, "Move your fucking ass before I move it for you."

She said the words with so much authority the guy stumbled in the direction where she'd pointed without stopping to consider that a five-foot-five woman who hadn't stepped inside a gym since high school P.E. would have a hard time moving his two-hundred-pound ass anywhere.

When she returned to the bar, Charles was smiling at her.

Meow, he mouthed, extending his fingers in a catty gesture.

She laughed and mouthed a roar. Ancient vampire or not, the boss was great fun.

"Is this order ready?" she yelled above the music.

"It is, but you're off the clock." He pointed to the clock hanging above the bar. "You're done at one."

She was supposed to be. "Do you need me to stay until Veronica turns up?"

Charles beamed. "You're sweet. But get your ass out of here. You need your beauty sleep."

She wasn't going to make him tell her twice. Chloe practically ran to the changing rooms at the back.

Charles let his waitresses wear whatever they wanted as long as the main color was black. She worked in jeans and tees, because they were cheap, easily replaceable, and cute enough for her to go out afterward without having to get changed. Chloe just grabbed her backpack and rushed out of doors.

She took one deep breath, inhaling the sweet and spicy scent of the city, and tilted her head at the sound of a footstep behind her. Then something hit the back of her head. Hard.

“Ouch! What the fuck, you psy—”

She didn't finish that sentence, because the assailant was dragging her backward with one hand while pulling her hair and wrapping a piece of fabric around her mouth with the other. Oh, shit. Someone was trying to abduct her. Her. Chloe Miller, twenty-five, seven hundred dollars in her checking account and under two thousand in her savings. It didn't make any fucking sense. Unless they wanted to sell her. Shit. Chloe lifted her hands, struggling against the muscular arms of the dude tying her mouth. At least she thought it was a dude. He smelled like one. Thinking fast, she threw her foot back as hard as she could.

"Ow!" Bingo. She'd hit his crotch. "You bitch!"

He loosened his grip, and she yelled as loud as she could, "Help! Somebody he—"

She wasn't even done pronouncing the last syllable when a shadow appeared, flying past her and launching itself at her aggressor.

Chloe didn’t have time to see it. She couldn’t tell who—or what—it was at all.

The next moment, Charles was walking up to her, flanked by Quincy, one of his security guys, and Victor, another bartender. He pushed the guy with so much strength his body crashed against the wall. Quincy's hand wrapped tight around the guy's throat, and he held him up effortlessly.

She'd never been so grateful for her coworkers’ inhuman speed.

"Are you all right?"Charles asked, holding her up by the forearm.

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