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“Yeah?” he asked, his brows rising in question. “Should we be worried about anything?”
“I talked to Robert earlier today. He assured me everyone’s safe.”
Ethan’s expression flooded with relief. “Good.” His gaze snagged on a pretty woman near the front of the line, watching as she wiggled her hips to the beat of the DJ’s music that was bleeding from inside.
“I better get in there. You okay out here? Need anything?”
“Nah.” He smiled, eyes flashing back to me, notably lighter after hearing his job wasn’t in jeopardy. “We’re rocking out here, baby. I’m good, thank you.”
I couldn’t help the smile that bloomed from my own face. Ethan’s charisma was infectious when he turned it on—it was why he was so good at the door. Sometimes people had to wait nearly an hour to get in, but they were still happy to be here because of how fun he made the experience. “Okay, I’ll check on you in a bit.”
He shot me a sly grin before his eyes moved back to the girl with interest. I almost let my chuckle bubble to the surface—he was the epitome of a shameless flirt. But I didn’t have it in me to mind because he never let it get in the way of his job.
Working my way through the doors, I found the club bursting at the seams. There was a palpable energy, a vitality in the air, like the club was revealing its soul tonight. It was my favorite thing about this place—the life in it. I thrived on it in the early days, let it sink into my own soul and bring me back from the hell that I was in.
My eyes swept around, scanning the faces and bodies and movements of everyone in here. The DJ was moving chaotically to the beat of his music, entranced by the effect he had over everyone. Behind the bar, Nora and Sam were flushed and focused. Surrounding the bar was a swarm of patrons eager for another drink.
I blew out a breath—I didn’t see any sign of Leo, but I knew that he was here. I knew it in my bones.
It didn’t matter, though. Not really. I had a job to do, staff to support and customers to serve. Whether Leo was around or not, I already knew I would lose myself to the work. Lose myself to the magic of this place, just like I did every night.
Working myself out of my hoodie, I started toward the bar. There was a small cutout on the side near the doors that led to the stockroom for staff to duck under. Frank stood tall and stoic against the wall between both access points, ensuring that no customers were able to get through either of them, should their curiosity dare them to try.
He gave me a curt nod as I approached, eyes continuing to scan all around us. He was the head of security, and he took his job seriously. Of everyone here, he might’ve been the only one who had me beat in the desire for safety. “Hey, Frank—you good?”
“Yes, ma’am. Anything I can do for you?”
His response was all the indication I needed that this wasn’t the right time to discuss any changes in our club politics. I figured as much—he was busy. “Nope.” I shook my head. “I’m here for the rest of the night, so let me know if anything comes up.”
“You too, Mara,” was all he said in response.
I smiled and dipped my chin before ducking beneath the bar. I hadn’t even raised back up to my full height before Nora came barreling into me.
“Oh shit, Mara—I’m so sorry! I didn’t see you down there . . .” Her eyes were wide as she looked down at me. Even standing straight up, Nora towered over me.
I threw my hands up and waved her off. “Don’t worry about it. You good?”
“Yeah.” Her shoulders rose an inch in a small shrug. “Mostly. But everyone’s a little freaked out. I’ve been waiting for you to come in so we can talk, but it’s way too busy right now.” She looked around at the crowd of customers surrounding the bar, unease stretching across her face.
I hated thinking anyone was worried. “We’ll talk later tonight, but everything’s fine. Okay?” I might not have fully believed it, but I’d make damn sure the rest of the staff felt at ease. I owed them that, at the very least.
Nora smiled. “Okay,” she breathed out, then reached past me to grab three pint glasses from where they were stacked, turning toward the beer taps on the far wall. I glanced over at Sam at the farthest end of the bar. He was our newest bartender, but he had years of experience and fit right in with us like he’d been here from the beginning. His eyes darted my way as he worked a shaker in front of his chest, and I forced confidence into my smile as I waved hello.
I could see the tiniest smidge of tension lift from his shoulders—as the newest employee, he was probably the most worried about the change in ownership. And he and his new wife had a kid at home.
I sighed as I tore my gaze away from his, terrified he might see me crack. What a clusterfuck.
I shoved my hoodie and my belt bag in an open space underneath the bar, making quick eyes at Frank to show him where I’d stashed them so he could help keep an eye on it. I would normally never keep my personal belongings out here, but I was too afraid to go back to the office—my office—and find a potential unwanted guest. Even if said guest might look like delicious sin in a tailored suit.
It would make things ridiculously easier if I hadn’t spent last night with the man wearing that suit. If I’d decided to have a one-night stand with anyone else.
If he hadn’t made me feel like the entire experience was . . .
I choked the thought down before it could fully manifest, because no way was I going to let myself acknowledge how special it had felt. That was a truth worth burying deep, deep down—so deep it never saw the light of day.
Chapter Eight
Four hours later, Larkspur was busier than ever. It seemed that my impulsive social media post had yanked people from their hidey-holes, and in addition to the usual Thursday night turnout the place was packed. I’d thrown myself into the fast-paced rhythm of the bar, making drinks and processing payments for hundreds of customers. And while it was easy to keep my focus on the crowd in front of me, there was an undercurrent of anxiety lapping at my gut the longer the night went on without laying eyes on Leo.
