Page 16 of Blood and Bonbons

When I knocked on the open door, he didn’t glance up but stared at the tablet still in his hands. “What happened?”

“I went hiking with Vena today. I tripped and fell.”

His steel-hard gaze lifted and locked with mine. “I hear about women who trip and fall, but I rarely see it happen. You sticking with that story?”

“It’s not a story, Shepard. No one hit me. No intervention is needed unless I talk about going hiking again. If I do, stop me. There’s nothing good in nature.”

He casually dropped the tablet on the desk. “Why’s Vena taking you hiking? I didn’t think you were outdoorsy.”

“You’re right there. I’m not. But Vena and I are trying to broaden each other’s horizons.”

He leaned back in his chair and considered me for a long moment.

“Am I in trouble for a facial scratch? It’s covered. If a clear bandage is too gross, I can—”

“You’re not in trouble, Everly,” he said, standing. He came around the desk and gently clasped my arms. “I’m worried. You’re a pretty woman in a world filled with shitty people. Everyone who works here is family. I take care of my family. Do you understand?”

The intensity of his stare and the sincerity of his words made my pulse beat a little faster.

“And that’s why I like working for you, Shepard,” I managed to say steadily.

He released me and stepped back. “I put you on stage left so Anchor can keep an eye on you. If there’s any trouble tonight, he’ll step in.”

“There won’t be any trouble. Promise.” I held my smile in place until he nodded and returned to his desk.

Taking that as a dismissal, I hurried from his office and down the stairs. Army waited for me to get in place before opening the doors and letting the night crowd enter. I felt the weight of Anchor’s gaze while I took the first table’s order.

I got the typical “What happened to your face?” question from a few of the regulars and those bold enough to ask. But for the most part, my shift rolled by like every other Saturday night.

My feet started to ache a little earlier than usual. However, when Shepard called me over and said that Sierra needed help in the VIP lounge, I didn’t hesitate to say I could handle it. The money called to me. I wasn’t greedy, but I had bills and dreams to fund. My final two semesters wouldn’t pay for themselves, and I wanted my degree.

Sierra gave me a pissy look when she saw me, which I ignored. I took over the table at the top of the stairs so I could watch over my tables down below.

From my vantage point, I spotted tonight’s troublemaker in Thomas’ section. The woman’s hand darted out to caress his ass when he moved to deliver drinks to the next table. He didn’t react, which she took as an invitation to keep going.

I hurried down the stairs.

“Trouble?” Anchor asked.

“The blonde in Thomas’ section needs to be educated on the strict no-touching policy.”

“Need Doc?” Anchor asked.

“Not for this one,” I said.

Thomas met my gaze as I made my way through his section. He didn’t try to stop me, though.

“Excuse me, miss,” I said, ignoring the other women at the table. “Blur has a strict no touching the serving staff policy. I’m sure you understand why it needs to be followed for all genders. If a man sees a woman doing it, he will take it as an open invitation to do the same. We’re here to pay bills, not get groped.”

An embarrassed flush consumed the blonde’s previously humor-filled expression.

“Of course. I’m sorry.”

“Thanks for understanding.” I smiled at the whole table to show there were no hard feelings then returned to my section.

Anchor winked at me, a small smirk on his face for half a heartbeat before it returned to its handsome yet intimidating stoic mask.

The next few hours passed in a pleasant blur, as they usually did. The DJ announced the final call, which caused the typical rush of drink orders. Thanks to the VIP table, I had an extra fifty in my pocket by the time the doors closed behind the last patron.

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