He took a sip straight from the glass instead of blowing out the flames. I gasped and was surprised when he came away unscathed.
“You okay?” I grabbed a pile of cocktail napkins from the partition close by. What I was going to do with paper, I had no idea, but I handed it to him.
“I’m not afraid of fire.” He set the glass down.
“Me neither.” I looked into his eyes. The skull makeup gave him such a menacing aura. But his eyes. They were a swirl between green and blue that reminded me of a changing tide. There was so much soul in them.
“Can I get you something to eat?” I shifted on my feet, giving my right foot a break and letting my left foot do the work of carrying me.
His eyes traveled down my body. I waited for the inevitable. He’d had his drink. My boobs were basically on a bra designed to be a plate for them.
“You’re hurt.” He looked me in the face again. From my knees to my eyes without stopping at my cleavage.
I touched one of my bruised knees with a fingertip. “I just…I tried to cover it with makeup, but I guess it’s not hardy enough. I’m sorry. I can try to cover it again.” There went my tip from this guy. I should’ve worn dark tights instead of trying to have bare legs.
“How did it happen?” He acted like he wanted to stand.
I looked over my shoulder and away from this customer. The whole scene flashed through my head. I exhaled as I tried to gain my composure. It took a few seconds. “I fell.”
It seemed like the best answer.
“You’re graceful. You don’t fall easy.” He stood with his words, reaching out with his hand toward my elbow, but not touching me.
I frowned.
“I’m guessing.” He added quickly, “I mean, waitresses have great balance and you’re on your feet all day. I’m betting you’re pretty coordinated.”
I assessed him. He looked a little desperate. Like he didn’t want me to walk away from him.
“Can I get you another drink? Let me go ahead and get you one. I mean, that first one was free. You want another flamer? Or something else?” I grabbed him another napkin and placed it in his open hand that was very close to my skin. It was a tactic I had for making men keep their hands to themselves. When he made a fist, I saw the intricate art on his hand. He had the bones in his hands etched on the skin like they were an X-ray.
I reached out and captured his fist. “Wow, this is impressive. I can’t believe you put so much time into getting ready for tonight.” I marveled at the work and ran my index finger over the bone marking on his.
When I looked at his face, I was taken aback. His stare was raw. His lips were parted. I saw goose bumps on the side of his neck. It was like I’d just found him alone in the woods and saved his life.
It was too much. I let go of his hand. It seemed like it took him a second to remember where he was.
“I don’t think you fell.” He whispered it, but I was able to hear him because the DJ had picked that exact moment to cut the beat.
This guy was intense, but I was betting my perception was off. I was still in shock from the attack. I stepped closer to him as the music picked up.
I spoke to his chest. “I didn’t fall. I was pushed. And honestly, I’m still scared about it.”
“Who pushed you?” He stepped even closer. His words moved my hair. I could smell his cologne. It was just a wisp, but it told me he had taken time to splash a little on.
“I don’t know. I was jumped yesterday in a restaurant bathroom.” I shook my head. “Let me go get you another drink.”
I risked a glance at him and saw a hurricane in his eyes. Danger radiated from him. I backed up quickly. I knew the skull was makeup, but it was making him scary.
I watched as he put his fists to his sides and closed his eyes. I half-expected him to catch fire and just burn there. I turned away.
After snagging a few empties on my way to the bar, I caught Henry’s attention.
She pinched off her conversation with a regular and sidestepped her way to me. While filling two beers at once, she grilled me. “You know him?” She pointed her chin in the direction of the man I had just encountered.
“No. I need to bring him a drink and forgot to get his order. Make me something manly.” I put the empty glasses on the bar.
Henry managed to get the heads on the beer perfect. She slid them to the waiting customers. We tried to add flair when we could. “You were standing like you know each other in a biblical sense.”
She made the sign of the cross, which for Henry included her forehead, her two nipples, and her crotch.
“You’re going to hell, you know.” I waited as she created what looked to be an old-fashioned. She was adding ingredients slowly and pretending to measure everything. It was just a procrastinating tactic so she could talk to me more.
“You’re driving the bus, so I sure hope so.” She winked at me and listened to another order while she added two cherries. Turning back to me, she added, “He’s hot if you hadn’t noticed. That jawline. And I can just tell he’s like lean strong. I guess I have a thing for the skull mask because my vagina’s very wet tonight. It sounds like an excited seal playing with a fish in my panties if you know what I mean. Dick’s getting so much skin tonight.” She nudged the drink to me.
I was too busy making a face at her disgusting analogy to move.
She pretended to be a seal, making her arms into flippers and clapping.
I forced out the mental picture she’d painted. “Yeah. Tonight’s not a great guy surfing night. I mean—anyone could’ve been my attacker. What if it was him?” I indicated with my head in his direction.
Henry’s face softened. “Hey, pudding. I’m sorry. I think you should be home recouping.”
“I was driving myself crazy there. I’d rather be busy.” I took the drink and thanked her. Before I could get away, she handed me two more beers to drop off at Clarissa’s table. The other waitress was on a smoke break. After I made small talk with her costumers, I balanced my tray and weaved through the crowd. Tonight was getting crazy because people were starting to dance. Keeping my drinks in the cups was going to be a challenge.
I finally made it back to my customer. “Sorry that took a while.”
He was sitting in the chair with his legs kicked out. His watchfulness never wavered as I leaned over to set down his drink. Just as I put it down, he pulled me quickly onto his lap. I was about to yell at him when he threw me off-balance and placed me on the floor, covering my body with his. The table with his drink was demolished as two men fell onto it. My new customer was protecting me from the splintered shards that seemed to explode everywhere.
I hadn’t even fully registered what was happening before he was off of me and pulling me to my feet. He had me against a wall, caged in by his arms, but he was looking in every direction except at me.
He yelled to someone, “Animal, get them out of here.”
A huge black man met the bouncers at the pile of men that were involved in fisticuffs. They hustled the fighting patrons out the side door.
When an obvious calm settled after the disturbance was removed, he dropped his arms and stepped backwards, giving me a bit of space.
I put my hands to my chest and it felt like my lungs were out of air.
He tilted his head. “Take a breath, Becca. They’re gone. It’s okay.”
I did as he said and was relived when I was able to fill my lungs with oxygen.
Henry was at my side. “You okay?”
“Are you okay?” I was able to ask her in return. She was my ride or die. We’d already agreed that if anything ever went down in the bar and it was dangerous—that we’d find each other and get the hell out. And a few times we’d had to. Drinking sometimes led to poor choices and rage.
Clarissa came by. “Everybody back to your spots. We have to get this bar back to happy or Bossman will be pissed.”
Henry touched my shoulder. “You should go. Go home. We can cover you.”
/> I petted her hand. “I’m good. This is the busiest this bar has ever been. I just need a minute.”
Henry turned to my skull-faced customer. “What’s your name?”
“Me?”
He pointed to his chest.
“Yes.”
“I’m Nix.” He held his hands up like he didn’t know how that information would help.
“Okay, Nix. Give me your driver’s license. And I’m holding onto that. You think you can stay near Becca tonight? Your drinks are on me. I’ll give you your ID back at the end of the night. Just tell these assholes you’re her boyfriend and they will steer clear.”
Nix reached into his back pocket and flipped open his wallet. He pulled out his license and handed it to Henry. “It’s a deal.”
Henry pulled her phone out of her bra and slid his ID into her case. Then she touched the home button and showed him a picture of her giant boyfriend with her standing next to him—I assumed for scale. “I suck this man’s penis. And he’ll do whatever I ask him to do. If you take your eyes off her, I’m sending him to your house.”
Nix gave Henry a little half-bow. “Understood.”
He held out his hand to me. I put my hand in his.
Henry pointed to us both. “Why don’t you take ten? Pretend it’s a smoke break.”
She had a great idea. And this guy had just flipped me all around this bar like he was my very own secret service, so I trusted him a little.
~Fenix~
I was holding her hand. I wondered if she could feel how fast my heart was beating now that we were touching. My adrenaline was already peaked. I was half-ready to toss her over my shoulder and force her out of here, but I didn’t want to scare her. Not for a second.
I looked at our hands. My big one that was marked and her pale one that wasn’t. She didn’t even have a ring on.
Her black wings were all crushed and askew. She looked liked a fallen angel. She was gorgeous. That was a given. But the fear that was just under her skin called to me.
I knew fear well. And I wouldn’t wish it on her.
“Do you want to go outside?”
It was getting loud again. She still looked frazzled.
She nodded once and turned, pulling me behind her. She didn’t let go of my hand, and I felt guilty that I was over the moon about it. Her touch. Pretending to be a boyfriend because her best friend told me to—the only thing that was ruining this was my concern about her bruised knees and the haunted look on her face.
When we got to the back door, she stopped walking.
“This one?” I pointed to it.
She clutched herself with the arm I wasn’t attached to.
“You want me to go first?” I watched as she admitted this defeat to me with a nod.
She wanted me to protect her. I couldn’t let her see how much this meant to me. That I would kill everyone in the bar for her—save for her best friend—just to give her a moment of peace. I was too much. I recognized that.
I let go of her hand and motioned for her to stay put with one finger. I cracked open the door and checked. The coast was clear.
I pushed the door ajar and held it that way with my back. I reached toward her with my open hand. If she wanted it, she could have it. My hand. My heart. My life.
She took my hand, and that was enough.
Becca wrapped her other arm around my forearm. Like a hug.
She rested her head on my shoulder and I could hear her inhaling and exhaling. I stood still as the bar door closed behind us. It was like having a butterfly land on a bomb. A perfect moment in time that I didn’t want to screw up.
“Do you mind if we go to the roof? It’s my favorite place to take a break.” I looked over my shoulder at her. Her glance directed me to a fire escape that was clearly being misused as a way to the roof on the regular.
I took her to it and pulled her around me so she could go up first. Becca climbed the steps of the three floors slowly. It made me think her bruised knees were hurting her. As I walked behind her, I scanned the area. Being put in charge of her safety in reality was something I’d take seriously.
When we got to the top, I touched her shoulder. “Let me look around.”
After I was satisfied we were truly alone, I gave her a smile. She pointed to a park bench that had a nice view of town.
Becca sat and put her hands on either side of her thighs. “That was crazy. I can’t believe you saw all of that going down behind me.”
I didn’t want to tell her that watching her was my life’s work. So I didn’t. I shrugged.
“Did I hurt you at all?” I reviewed how we’d moved, trying to remember if I had put pressure on her knees.
“No. At least, nothing new hurts.” She touched her knees, and the hem on her dress rode up enough for me to see how deep the bruises were.
We sat in silence for a few minutes. Her breathing slowed down. She was calming. She didn’t know how safe she was next to me, considering I was a murderer.
I had instant second thoughts. I shouldn’t be here. This was a horrible idea. I should leave right now. Disappear into the night like a fucked-up Cinderella.
My phone vibrated with a ring. I pulled it out. “I’m sorry. I have to take this.”
I didn’t move, because I wasn’t taking a second with her for granted.
Animal was on the other end. “Sweetness? You good? I don’t see you in here.”
“Yeah, I’m on the roof with the waitress that almost got roughed up. We’re just taking ten, and then she’s going back to work. Thanks for pitching in. You hanging out?” I gave her a side-glance.
Her profile made me want to learn how to paint. She was looking at the town lights.
“Sure, baby. I’ll hang out here. See you in ten.” Animal disconnected the call. I was grateful he hadn’t mentioned anything about my stalking, because it was so quiet I’m sure Becca heard both sides of that conversation.
“Sorry about that. Animal’s a friend.” I pocketed my phone.
“It’s fine. He’s a big dude. The one from downstairs? He’s been here before. Always a sweetheart. He’s bigger than Dick Dongy, and that’s saying something.” She covered her knees with her dress.
“That’s a hell of a name.” I grimaced.
She laughed a little. “I can’t tell you how many jokes I’ve swallowed since Henry started dating him. Oops. There’s another one. Sorry. That was dirty.” She waved her hand near her mouth like she was trying to make her words disappear.
I decided saying something more would be risky, so I waited her out. I needed information about this attack on her yesterday. I was going crazy trying to piece it together, even though I had a horrible feeling I knew who hurt her.
“I suck at being scared,” she offered like she could hear my thoughts. “But yesterday shook me. The cops said they think it was just a drifter that ambushed me in the bathroom at Gustov’s. And they’re the professionals.” Becca lifted her hands to her hair and started to pat and tuck it back into her style.
I was a professional and I could’ve killed Becca three times in the time it took her to call for help in that bathroom—not that I ever would. And that was another creepy thought. I forced myself to look at the horizon instead of her.
“But you think they’re wrong?” I nudged her verbally.
“I mean, yeah. I felt like someone was watching me the day before. And then that day. Maybe I can just predict the future or whatever. I just wish they would’ve caught him, you know?” She shivered.
I almost slapped my forehead. Of course, she was cold. She was an in-the-flesh real girl who would be cold on a rooftop at night. I stood and took off my jacket. I wrapped it around her shoulders. She put one arm and then the other in the sleeves. The wings made little lumps under the fabric.
“It’s so warm.” She pulled the leather around her.
My mind zigzagged with all the touches we’d shared. The fortune I had to be with her now. She was talking to me, like a normal guy. S
he was confiding in me. It was heady.
I sat back down. I had a dark T-shirt on. She turned her attention to my arms. “You had the artist do your arms too? I’m impressed with your dedication.” She gave me a smile.
I shrugged.
“Anyway, I was distracted, like it was my fault for not paying attention more. I’ll never go in a bathroom without checking to see if I’m alone again. Ever. And the bitch of it is, the bathroom we have here reminds me a lot of the one at Gustov’s.” She shifted in her seat and crossed her feet at the ankles. Her high heels did incredible things to her calves. “I don’t know. I just want to get over it. I don’t like being scared.”
“Your brain needs a few minutes to catch up, you know? It’s a shock to have an everyday task be such a horrible experience. Maybe cut yourself some slack.” I bit my bottom lip. “I mean, I guess. I’m no expert on the mind.”
Becca reached out and patted my hand. “No, that’s good. I think you’re right. Maybe I let myself just feel tonight. I’ll pretend you’re my tough boyfriend and just let you be scary.”
My heart exploded. Those words. This soon. They were drugs, and I could overdose on the first shot.
Too much.
“It’s been a rough week. I’ve been distracted thinking about my mom. And then there’s this guy she’s pushing on me.” She lifted herself out of the bench. “I better get back.”
I stood as well, putting myself between her and the chilly wind that had picked up. “Your mom okay?”
Single mother. Was divorced when Rebecca was seven years old. Drove a BMW. Had a mediocre credit score and had lived in Midville her whole life. Stalker’s notes.
“Just waiting on some test results. She drives me crazy, but she’s the only family I have. She was really awesome about the attack, though.” Becca held out her hand for mine.
I wanted to kiss her knuckles. I wanted to get on one knee and pledge to find who hurt her. I took her hand gently instead. “I hope everything turns out all right.”
“Thanks. Me too.”
I walked in front of her down the stairs. In case she tripped, I could break her fall. She was graceful in her heels. The hem of her dress kicked up against the skin of my arms.
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