The bar is quiet. I’m sitting at my usual spot at the end of the counter, a half-empty cup of tea at my elbow and the afternoon light bathing my freshly red-streaked hair in a golden glow.
Greta is polishing glasses with completely unnecessary vigor, her expression sharp and calculating. She’s thinking three moves ahead. Tovek is in the kitchen, the rhythm of his knife against the cutting board carrying through the partially open door.
I stare at the transfer confirmation on my phone. Six months of debt, of goblins, of gnawing background mental stress, all gone in the swipe of a bank transfer.
The relief hasn’t hit yet. I’m numb, waiting for my new reality to sink in.
“Did it go through?” Greta asks, her voice carefully neutral despite the tension in her shoulders.
I nod, reaching for my tea. “It’s done. We’re clear.”
Amusement flashes in her eyes. “Good. Now maybe you’ll stop looking at the books like they’re about to bite you.”
I laugh, the tension in my chest easing slightly. “No promises. Old habits and all that.”
We sit in companionable silence for a long moment until the door opens.
Vex.
He’s wearing his usual outfit. Gaudy suit, gaudier watch, the annoyingly confident smirk. But there’s something different in his expression. Something that might be respect.
“Ms. Tan,” he says, moving toward the bar. “I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d stop by. Confirm to you that your payment cleared.”
“It did.” I keep my voice neutral. “Two hundred and fifteen thousand, plus interest. We’re square with the goblins.”
He nods. “You are indeed. Crimson considers the matter closed.” He reaches into his jacket, producing a small envelope with careful precision. “Your final statement. For your records.”
I take it gingerly, careful not to touch him. “Thank you. No reason for me not to be professional.”
Vex nods, satisfied, and makes his way toward the exit. “It was never personal. Just business. The Association will be in touch about your membership application. Grishnak was very impressed with your performance at the cook-off.”
The implication that Grishnak would still be watching me is not subtle, but I’ve proven to myself that I can handle whatever he throws at me. “We look forward to it,” I say with a bright smile.
I watch him leave and feel the weight that’s been hanging over me since that night on the Strip finally lift.
I turn back toward the kitchen only to find Tovek leaning against the door frame, his massive form taking up more than its fair share of the narrow space.
He was there the whole time and he stayed put. Didn’t step in, didn’t speak for me, didn’t do any of the things that would have turned my victory into his protection.
He’s learning. We both are.
“You good?” he asks, his voice low enough that only I can hear it.
I nod. “Better than good. We’re clear. Completely, officially clear.”
“And Vex? Grishnak?”
“Still assholes. But assholes without any power, which are the best kind of assholes.”
He laughs. “The very best.”
CHAPTER 16
tovek
The construction dust is finally settling in The Dragon’s Nest. Our expansion project has transformed from a half-formed idea into something solid. Something real. Something that will open its doors to customers in just eight weeks.
I lean against the chef’s counter, watching as Mei moves through the space with confidence.
