Page 35 of Blood and Bonbons

“If they try anything, let me know,” he said quietly.

I was pretty sure I didn’t have to let him know. Even though Detroit was one of the flirtiest of the bartenders, he’d watch out for staff.

More VIPs entered my section as Detroit finished the drinks. On my way to deliver the cocktails to the fae, I swung by the new three-top and let them know I’d be with them soon.

When one of the fae saw my approach, he slightly raised his hand to stop his companion’s conversation.

I set the drinks down and stepped back. “Can I get you gentlemen anything to eat? Our appi-teasers are phenomenal.”

The fae who had been talking looked at me. “Consider our appetites very teased, beauty. Perhaps we will feast later.”

There was something about the way he said “feast” that heated my blood. He smirked as if he knew my reaction and then turned back to his friend.

Fae might not be malicious, but they were absolutely dangerous. Thankfully, I knew better than to fall for a pretty face.

CHAPTERSEVEN

I sat nextto Vena with a sigh and counted out my tips. She’d moved upstairs to the VIP lounge as soon as the last customer had left.

“Damn, girl. How did you get twenties for tips?”

Detroit chuckled. “She’s a brat to the customers.”

I gave him an appropriately affronted look then glanced at Vena. “I’m nice, don’t flirt, and deliver the drinks quickly. There’s not a lot to it.”

“Then why was Miss Bitchy-pants crying that she made less than two hundred when you’re walking with close to three?” Vena asked.

“Clue’s in the name,” Detroit said.

More than ready to leave and find out if Vena had discovered anything, I passed Detroit his share of the tips.

“Come on, Vena. You woke me up too early, and I need sleep.” The shortened sleep from the night before, plus the day's stress on top of an entire shift, had taken its toll. I wasn’t looking forward to the drive to her parents’ house.

She stood, her stuff already packed.

Detroit stopped me with a reminder. “Shepard wants to walk you out.”

“Oh, does he now?” Vena purred.

“Please don’t make this weird,” I said before turning my pleading gaze to Detroit. “Shepard said any of you could walk us out. You busy?”

He eyed me, clearly wondering if he would be risking the wrath of Shepard. Tossing the tip money on the bar with a sigh, he walked us downstairs. The main floor was already devoid of staff, and Gunther was almost done with his dishes when we passed through the kitchen.

I clocked out and followed Detroit outside.

After being inside for eight hours, the cool night air didn’t feel like a fresh relief like it should have. Instead, it felt ominously oppressive, and a shiver stole through me as I looked around the gated parking lot.

“How close was the murder to Blur?” I asked, keeping up with Detroit.

“Close enough that Shepard’s going to want to walk you to the car for the next year,” Detroit said softly, his eyes scanning the area as he moved.

That Detroit was on edge made me even more nervous.

“I’ll watch you drive off,” he said as I unlocked the doors. “Text Shepard when you’re home for the night. He’ll worry.”

I nodded and settled behind the wheel. Vena managed to stay quiet until we left the parking lot. As soon as we were out of sight, she turned in her seat to look at me.

“You have Shepard’s number?” she asked with a grin ghosting her lips.

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