Page 32 of The Truths We Seek

“Fuck you,” I retort, flipping her the bird as she continues to cackle.

“Yeah, I have no idea what that is, but I get what you mean. I can totally do this. It’s just bar work, right?”

“If that’s all you want it to be, absolutely. And Yen is great, she’ll keep an eye on you. Harper… like we said earlier, her bark is worse than her bite. But Greg isn’t going to be able to get to you in here, the guys did a deep dive, so none of his associates can either. You’re safe here.” She grips my hand and I squeeze it back. “You’ve got this, and we’ll be there if you need anything tonight too. But I don’t think you will.”

She lets out a shaky breath and nods. “Okay, let’s do this.”

“Hell yeah, baby!” Shae bounces in her seat, and before we get a second to move, Tonio and Bruno are out of the car and opening the doors for us. The people in the line turn to stare and I shudder. Having all eyes on me is something I’ve run from for forever and I don’t think I’ll ever be comfortable with it, but tonight isn’t about me, so I straighten my shoulders, put on a smile, and pretend they’re not looking so I can support my friend.

Tina climbs from the car and I follow behind. She exits on her side and walks around to us with Tonio on her tail. Before we can take a step forward, Hunter appears in the doorway, that lethal swagger out for all to see as he walks toward us. He looks every part the dangerous business man; black slacks, white shirt, sleeves rolled up, blonde hair mussed. He’s freaking delicious and he is all mine.

“Ladies, you made it.” He takes my hand and kisses it, winking at Shae as he does before turning to Tina. “Tina, it’s nice to finally meet you. I’m Hunter. Welcome to HellScape. Harper is waiting for you inside, so let’s not keep her waiting any longer, shall we?”

Tina’s eyes go wide as he talks to her, that weaponized smile on his face. I can practically see her heart beating in her chest. I press my lips together to not smile. When I was a kid, I thought I’d be jealous if I had a man that other people found outrageously attractive, but the upside of knowing what he’s done for me, is that I feel so secure that Tina’s reaction to him is just, well, kind of amusing. I remember the first time I saw him, I had a pretty similar response.

Shae links arms with Tina and leads her inside, Tonio and Bruno behind them, while Hunter places his hands on my hips and leans in close. “You look good enough to eat.”

“Oh, this old thing?” I tease, rubbing my palms up his chest. “Just threw it on.”

His head tilts back as he laughs. The bobbing of his Adams apple does things to me that shouldn’t be possible from something so… simple. Yet I still clench my thighs together because goddamn.

“Just threw on a leather skirt, fishnets, and corset with a lace choker. Oh, Angel, I’m pretty sure I’d have seen these before now. Did you have fun with Shae?”

I nod, grinning at him as he presses his forehead against mine. “I did, it’s been a good day.”

“I like this smile on you,” he murmurs as he pulls back and tugs on a strand of my hair. “I like this lighter color on you too.”

Heat creeps across my chest and up my cheeks. “Yeah, I’ve never been quite this blonde before.”

“It suits you. Now come on, let’s get you inside so I can drool over you appropriately without wanting to take the heads of every guy out here staring at you.”

Rolling my eyes, I take his offered hand. “No one is staring, and even if they were, I’m pretty sure you just laid alpha claim on me for all of them to see.”

His eyes sparkle as he winks at me. “Oh, Angel, that was nothing.”

I let him lead me inside and to where Tina and Shae are already talking to Harper. Music plays lowly as people finish setting up, getting ready for open, and I realize I kind of miss this place. Before we reach them, Yen pops up beside me and squeals as she tackles me from Hunter. “You’re here!”

“I’m here,” I respond, laughing. “I told you earlier I would be.”

Hunter motions to me that he’s heading upstairs and I nod, knowing I’ll find him later, before turning my attention back to Yen.

“Yeah, but I didn’t know if you’d be up to it.” She shrugs, smiling sadly. “I tried to catch you last week, but—”

“Yeah I was kind of out of it. Thank you for being there though.”

She hugs me tightly again. “Always. Now come on, introduce me to the new girl.”

We make our way over to the others and somehow, Harper is smiling.

Weird.

“Harper, what is that thing on your face?” Yen questions, obviously as creeped out as I am.

“Do you want to keep your job, Yen?” Harper snaps at her, smile dropped.

Yen rolls her eyes before turning to Tina and they start talking like old friends. It warms my heart how instantly they click. Tina is younger than us both, but she just seems to fit here.

“Play nice,” Shae says to Harper, who huffs before walking away toward the basement. “That went better than I thought it would. Now, let’s get this party started, shall we? I didn’t dress like this to not dance.”

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