Page 28 of Heathens

“Admit it, you’d miss him a little.”

Ruby shoots me a toothy grin.

“The only thing I’d miss is the outline of his dick in those pants.”

I roll my eyes and spray some cleaner onto the counter, scrubbing hard as I take the chance to do a quick look around the room.

Itreallybugs me that I haven’t been able to get Dominic out of my mind. I wonder if he was scoping the place out, trying to get a handle on how we operate so that he could run off and open up some competition. It wouldn’t surprise me. He’s one of the two most powerful men in Santa Cruz, and we’ve got to be one of the most successful nightlife spots for vamps; maybe he wants to run us out of business.

“Hey, space case,” Ruby whispers, knocking gently on my skull. “You in there?”

I frown and glance sidelong at her.

“What?”

“You’ve been cleaning the same tiny spot on that counter for a whole minute now. I think you’re gonna scrub right through the varnish.” She cocks her head. “Could you… actually be waiting for someone special?”

She’s been teasing me about him non-stop tonight. There’s no way I’d tell her about the business card that’s sitting on my nightstand, or the fact that I’ve been having trouble sleeping. He’s buried in my brain like a splinter I can’t pry out.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Ruby cackles.

“The fuck you don’t! You’re so on-edge I could see it from a mile away, or is dumping a drink over a customer’s head part of our new business model?”

“It’s the apocalypse, baby.” I shrug. “Times are a-changin’.”

I need to get outside and feel some fresh air on my face, and there probably won’t be a better time than now. It’s not a scheduled feeding night, so things are pretty slow with just a couple tables filled here and there.

“I’m going for a smoke,” I tell her, patting my apron. I quickly feel out my gun, cigs, and a lighter.

“Sof, we make the rules. You can just smoke in the back,” Ruby laughs.

The employee lounge has too many people going in and out. It’s hard to think in there, much less take a breather without the next disaster being dropped right in your lap. Perks of being management, I guess.

“I’m going to take the trash out. Two birds, one stone.” Ruby arches a brow, and I roll my eyes. “Bobby’s guarding the back door. If I get in trouble, I’ll scream.”

She doesn’t seem convinced. I must look like a kid begging to be let out of their room after being grounded.

“I’ll be fine, Ruby. I promise.”

“You want me to come with?”

“I’m armed, and I’ll take the walkie-talkie.”

“Sure, but how about youactuallytake it this time?” She insists.

We use them in case one of us needs to go out alone and the bar is slammed. Or, if it’s a feeding night and someone’s acting fishy. We take every precaution that we can, but if I’m being honest, I miss the luxury of just being able to escape outside at night and have a smoke all by myself.

“Happy now?” I ask with a sneer, waving it in her face.

“Very. Keep it on.”

“Why, you wanna listen to me smoke and bitch about you under my breath?”

I pour myself a gin and tonic with extra mint leaves. Then I grab the trash and dramatically sling it over my shoulder, giving her a brief salute with the glass in my hand.

“I’ll be back in 15, and if I’m not, send in the army.”

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