Page 10 of Bearly Sassy

“Oh god, I didn’t expect you to be right there. I just saw someone in a hoodie hanging out back by the office door. It might be nothing but…”

“Say no more, I’ll go check it out. This time, stay here, preferably behind the bar so I know where you are.”

“Okay, please be careful.”

He grasped her hand and squeezed.

“I’ll be okay.”

He winked and disappeared into the crowd of people lingering. She did have a registered handgun under the bar but it was hidden and not even her servers knew she had it. Most things she could handle but it was good to have in case. She did need to tell him though so it wasn’t a surprise. It wasn’t proper to shift in the middle of a large crowd but knowing him, he’d just push the guy outside and go from there. She also knew he could take care of himself so she shouldn’t worry.

Mack should probably find something to do to help her girls but she couldn’t take her focus off looking for Damon long enough. When she saw him walking back toward her alone she wondered what happened.

“I didn’t see anybody back there. The office door is still locked too.”

“Really? I suppose he could have snuck out through the crowd on the other side of the room and I wouldn’t have seen him. There’s only one way out of this place with the office locked and I was standing at the bar with only one walkway. That really creeps me out.”

“Do you know anyone at the police department here in town?”

“No, not really. I mean, they’ve been in here once or twice in the past but we usually don’t have too much trouble. This is one of the busier nights we’ve had in a long time. Do I need to call them?”

“It might not be a bad idea. With the break-in earlier today and then a mystery guy inside the bar, at least they would know there is something going on. I know it’s a small town but maybe they could just keep an eye out, drive by occasionally.”

She pulled him back into the prep-kitchen area so she could tell him about the handgun without anyone overhearing.

“Are you okay Mack?”

“Yeah I needed to tell you something and just didn’t want ears overhearing.”

“Okay, what is it? Are you firing me?”

“Are you kidding me? I’m never letting you leave here. Anyway, since you are basically my security guy, I just wanted to let you know that I do have a handgun. It’s registered and I keep it under the bar but no one else knows it’s there.”

“Oh that’s a smart move on your part. I would continue to keep it hidden too. You need the protection, and before you say it, I know you can take care of yourself but it’s hard to fight another bullet with your bear claws.”

“Yeah I know I’m not invincible. I also don’t want any of my employees finding it so that’s why it’s hidden well. After the bar is closed, I’ll show you where it is.”

He nodded.

“Hey if you have to go back there and make anyone food, any chance I can get you to make something for me?”

“Sure, boneless wings?”

“How’d you know?”

***

This was seriously an awesome woman. There were no other words. It was starting to feel like a place he wouldn’t mind staying at, and while it’s weird to say after just one day, he liked the job too. He wasn’t necessarily a people person but there he didn’t have to be, he was hired to be the heavy, to keep people in line and not causing trouble. If they did, he had the authority to throw someone out.

When he saw her coming toward him with the food, his stomach started to growl.

“Oh man am I excited to eat those. Thank you.”

“It’s no problem Damon. I guess we haven’t eaten since breakfast but I made myself a salad.”

“Is that on the menu?”

“Sure it is, my private one.” She laughed and turned but he stopped her by clasping her arm gently.

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