“I told you,” Rayna took a sip. “It’s like apple juice with a kick.”
Then Patrick Carmichael returned. His brownish-blond hair was slicked back, but a few pieces fell across his eyes. I could more clearly see how his dark t-shirt strained against his broad chest. He had killer forearms dusted with light blond hair. He stepped up to the bar.
“No, Patrick,” Rayna whined. “You promise to let us have our girl’s night. And last I checked, you are not a girl.”
“I will leave you alone as soon as I remind Elizabeth that you two have a two-drink?—”
“Minimum!” Tinley yelled out. Her pale cheeks immediately tinged pink.
Both Rayna and Patrick looked at her with wide eyes. Rayna exploded in a fit of giggles.
“Maximum,” Patrick finished his sentence. “Behave, Tinley.”
She pouted. He bopped her on the nose, which made her grin and giggle. Pointing to both girls before stepping away from the bar, he sat in a booth with a perfect view. He took his phoneout, but his focus was on Tinley and Rayna. I bet his phone had a camera feed of the surrounding area. I doubt he was playingWordle.
My view was perfect, too. Directly across the split bar. A couple of other patrons sat eating and drinking, but none paid any attention to me, or to the girls for that matter. Did the guests know to keep their distance?
From my vantage point, I could just see the top of Patrick’s head, which was a good thing, but a shame too. The light dusting of stubble on his chin made him look relaxed. Another tool to blend in, which I guess was the goal.
“What can I get you?” The bartender was a tall redhead wearing a black Quad II v-neck t-shirt and a matching skirt that hit her mid-thigh. It twirled when she shifted around to face me. Her name tag read:Elizabeth.She tossed a cardboard coaster in my direction, labeled with O’Malley’s above a horned bull’s head. The same logo, created with colorful neon, hung at the point that protruded out into the walkway.
“What are they drinking? They seemed to be enjoying it.” I nodded toward the two women across the bar.
Rayna spoke with her hands, but quietly in Tinley’s ear. Tinley’s brow furrowed in concentration, trying to follow her friend’s rapid-fire words. Were they plotting their own escape? I hoped so. It would make my mission a hell of a lot easier.
“Cider, on tap.” Elizabeth’s nails click-clacked on the beer tap cover with the brand name in red block letters:Mitchells. The eye was dotted with a black-and-red apple with a bite taken out of it.
“Sounds good.”
She poured mine into a frosted mug and set it on the coaster in front of me. Why didn’t I get the sippy cup? I hid my disappointment by taking a sip.
“Are you eating?” Elizabeth held a glossy illustrated menu against her enormous chest. I nodded, and she handed it to me.
“What’s good?” I raised my voice in hopes that the women would chime in or at least acknowledge my existence.
“Everything,” Elizabeth deadpanned. “I’ll be back.”
Tinley and Rayna were still huddled up, but their eyes turned to me, only to avert when I looked their way. Maybe they were thinking of ways to signal me for help.
They both appeared well taken care of.
When Josh brought Tinley in, she was thin and malnourished. Her bones were visible under her paper-thin skin. Now her face had filled out, and she had gained some much-needed weight. She still acquiesced to Rayna’s lead, as internal reports had stated, but she seemed more comfortable and sure of herself. The things she had experienced were some of the most bizarre and horrific stories I had heard. They targeted her because of her kink and marketed her as such, which, according to what she told us, may have saved her life. The men seeking that type of victim took care of them. Not all of them, but some of them.
She survived until the opportunity arose for her to save herself.
When Elizabeth returned, she stopped at the girls’ first
“I know what Rayna wants.” Elizabeth patted Rayna’s hand.
“With extra?— “
“Extra ranch. I know.”
Rayna giggled, carefree as a child. “Tinley, what about you?”
“I’m not sure yet,” Tinley said. “I can’t decide between the burger or the chicken sandwich.”
Elizabeth gave her an indulgent smile and a nod.
