Page 17 of Deceiver

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“You know, I have tosay I’m surprised,” Luna says, flicking a towel over her shoulder as she places the clean glasses back down onto the counter.

She gave me my job back, mostly because I am now without one and because she feels like it’s safe here because of the security. She is right, it is likely one of the safest places for me right now, because we can see everyone who comes in and out. It’s good to take my mind off things and not think about Western day and night. I’m a mix of angry and hurt, and most days I don’t know which one I’m clinging to the hardest.

“Surprised about what?” I ask, sliding a drink across the counter to a customer.

“You giving up so easily.”

I pause and turn to her, frowning. “Giving up?”

“When I met you, you practically drove that man insane trying to get him to talk until he couldn’t avoid you any longer. Now, you’re just going to let him treat you as if you don’t exist? After everything you did to help him? After the danger you put yourself in?”

Shaking my head, I exhale. “It’s not that easy. He refuses to even look at me. The club can’t stand me. I have no place there.”

“Don’t give him a choice. Honey, you’re the most determined person I’ve ever met. You make him listen. You make him see. You make this go away. Bring out the Bonnie I first met, because that girl wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

I ponder this.

Really ponder it.

Is she right?

Do I just need to push harder?

“Maybe,” I say.

“Not maybe. Find your spirit, girly. And make that man listen.”

A customer approaches the bar, so our conversation is cut short, but it plays on my mind for the reminder of my shift. When I’m finished, Leo meets me at the bar, refusing to let me walk anywhere alone. We’re then escorted out by security. I love that they all care about me this much, but I can’t deny that I’m frustrated with the lack of freedom. I’m more than a little tired of having people in my space all the time.

“How was your night?” Leo asks when we get into his truck and begin making our way home.

“Good to have something to take my mind off everything.”

Pursing his lips, Leo glances at me briefly. “Maybe you should go on a date or something, try and step away from that man. He’s no good for you, Bon. I don’t want to see you holding your life up.”

“It’s not just him, Leo. It’s all of it. It’s the fact that I’m not safe, and until I find a way to be safe, this is my life.”

“Can we go somewhere else? Talk to another cop?”

“I have, but, again, this isn’t something that’s going to be easy.”

Grumbling, he doesn’t say anything more.

My phone rings just as we pull up at his house, and I see it’s Nathan. I’ve been waiting to hear from him, and I’m glad to see his name flashing across my screen.

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