Page 32 of Blood and Bonbons

Vena exhaled heavily and dropped her head back against the headrest.

“You sound like Miles.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment. He always was your voice of reason. Now, what’s the plan? What do we need to do next?”

“I checked the ballsack when we were home, and it still needs more time to soften. Tomorrow morning, I should be able to unroll it without damaging it. While you’re working, I’ll keep going through Miles’ phone and see what I can dig up regarding the strip club, just to be safe.”

“Good. That’s a solid plan.” I pulled into Blur’s employee parking lot and waited for Vena to grab her laptop bag out of the back.

“Are they going to have a problem with me taking up bar space all night? I don’t want to ruin my chance to work at this fine establishment.”

I rolled my eyes at her partial sarcasm.

“It’ll be fine,” I said.

We parted ways so Army could let her in through the main entrance before Blur’s doors officially opened. No one was at the employee lockers when I clocked in, but Gunther was washing his way through a mountain of dishes in the sink.

“Hey, Gunther. Is that left over from last night?”

“Nah. Stress cleaning.”

I frowned and paused on my way to the door that led to the bar. Was he upset about getting into trouble with Shepard for drinking?

“Stress cleaning? You okay?”

He shook his head. “A body was found a block from here. Throat slit. Shepard isn’t happy.”

Stunned by the news, I continued to the bar.

Buzz was behind it, hand-deep in a glass, polishing like his life depended on it. Did all the guys stress clean?

Vena was settling at the bar and glanced meaningfully at her laptop bag, which she’d partially hidden with her legs.

“Hey, Buzz. Would it be a big deal if Vena claimed a stool for the whole night?”

He looked from Vena to the cut on my cheek, which I’d rebandaged.

“Why? What’s wrong?” he asked, setting the glass down. “You didn’t actually fall, did you?”

Vena grinned. “If you ever saw her walk outside, you wouldn't be asking that question. She’s only graceful here because the floors are flat.” Vena paused and looked at the steps that I regularly went up and down. “How do you manage the stairs without falling?”

“Shut up,” I said without rancor before looking at Buzz. “Let me know if she’s a pain in your ass tonight.”

“That’s what he said,” Vena said under her breath.

“If she is,” I continued, ignoring her, “I’ll stick her with Anchor.”

Vena glanced over at Anchor with a smirk. “I’m happy to fall on that stick.”

Anchor looked over at us. His heavy gaze took in Vena.

Crap. Had he heard her?

When she winked at him, he quickly looked away. Even from this distance, I could see the blush on his tan skin, which made the muscled man ten times more adorable.

“Alrighty then. I should go and find out my assigned area.” I wrapped a short black apron around my waist as I hurried away.

When everyone was assembled in the staff room, Shepard appeared moments later.

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