Page 13 of The Devils Melody
I freeze for half a second too long. “What look?”
She smirks. “The look of someone pretending really hard like she doesn’t want something.”
I roll my eyes so hard, I might give myself a concussion. “Jesus Christ, Retta.”
She laughs so hard, I can’t help the flush that grows on my cheeks. “Mira, I’m not saying they’re good news. Hell, they look like the complete opposite of good news. But Iamsaying that I’ve seen you handlependejosbefore, and I’veneverseen you look like that afterward.”
I stare at her, my pulse hammering in my ears. “Like what?”
Retta tilts her head, giving me a look so full of smugamusement that I nearly chuck my dirty rag at her. “Like you felt something.”
My chest tightens and I think I might feel sick. That’s the part I didn’t want to acknowledge.
I turn away, grabbing the next set of glasses to clean. “Go away, Retta.”
She just giggles, shaking her head as she heads towards the back. “I was young too,mijita, I know what it’s like to have fun!”
Giving me a seductive side eye, she does a little shimmy, shaking her chest as she rounds the corner.
“LORETTA!”
I can hear her little witch cackle from the backroom and I cover my face with my hands from pure embarrassment. She’s not wrong, though, and that’s the worst part. Because for all my irritation and frustration, I did feel something, and I have a sinking suspicion that Lennox and Kage knew that too.
Which means, this? This isn’t fucking over. Not by a long shot.
By the time my shift is over, I feel like I’ve been hit by a damn bus. My body is sore, my head hurts from the nagging headache I’ve had since meeting Lennox and Kage, and despite my best efforts, I can’t stop replaying everything that’s happened tonight.
The way Rich grabbed me, Lennox and Kage stepping in, the way they watched me as if they knew I was unraveling even as I spit fire at them. I hate that they got under my skin. That I can still feel them there, lingering.
I make my way to the back room where my locker is and gather all my stuff. The bar is mostly cleared out, only a few stragglers left nursing their drinks, but I know Retta canhandle it. After the night I had, I’m ready to go home. That bubble bath is calling my name.
Before I can push the door open, Joe steps into my path.
“You want someone to walk you out?” he asks. His voice is low and his eyes are scanning me like he already knows my answer.
“I can handle myself, Joe.” I laugh, but he doesn’t budge. The man is built like a brick wall. As a retired marine, he doesn’t miss anything.
“That's not what I asked, Wren.”
I arch a brow and cross my arms in front of my chest. There’s something in his tone that makes my stomach twist and I don’t care for it. “Why? Are you expecting someone to be out there?”
His jaw tightens and I feel my stomach sink. “They’re still here.”
“Who’s still here?” I know what he’s going to say before the words even leave his lips, but part of me needs to hear it.
I watch as his dark eyes flick to mine, completely unreadable. “Your boys. They’ve been in the lot most of the night just standing around.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose and exhale a long breath I was holding. They’re notmine.“And you didn’t think to mention this before I clocked out?”
He shrugs. “Didn’t wanna spook you.”
What a fantastic job he’s done.
“Look, do you want me to walk you out or not?”
I should say yes. I should let him walk me out, hover over my shoulder, and make sure I get to my car safely. But the last thing I want is for Lennox and Kage to think I need another man stepping in to look after me.
I shake my head. “I’ll be fine, but thanks Joe. Maybeyou can just watch from the window. And if something like this happens again, would you mind letting me know?” I feel bad for snapping at him initially, but those boys have me on edge and I just wish this could all be over.
