It wasn’t much, but it was Ace’s way, and the club’s, of showing their appreciation to her.
“How solid is that date?” Her tone was even, but he was reading through her mask. Penny had been disappointed before when Hyde’s release date had been delayed.
“It’s solid.” Ace lowered his chin. “He’ll be home in seven weeks. But that stays in this room. Hyde and Jekyll don’t know and they won’t.” Ace narrowed his gaze. “We don’t want them letting down their guard while they ride out their time. You get me?”
Penny nodded and stared, not showing any emotion.Well, to the naked eye she was masking it.But Cross saw through it. Penny was happy, though she wouldn’t celebrate until she left.
“Okay.” She walked out without another word.
“What do you want to do?” Cypher asked, pointing to the file on the table.
Ace sighed. “Nothing. We’ll wait on Jekyll to get out and follow his lead. But until then, we track her.”
Who the fuck is Imogene Peppercorn?
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Addison stretched her arms over her head, rolled her neck, and sighed heavily. It was late, she’d pulled a double, and all she wanted was to get home and crawl into bed. She glanced over at the drying rack. She should probably put the glasses away, but… It would give Barry something to bitch about in the morning.
He’s gonna love that.
A month after her initial departure date of three weeks, and she was still working at the bar. Barry had gotten his cast off, and she had expected him to get rid of her. It turned out he was a lazy son of a bitch who would rather pay her than tend bar himself. Besides, the locals had threatened a mini-strike if she was no longer making their drinks.
It had all worked out beautifully. But not without a little pushback. Surprisingly, Hannah had only given two speeches about coming home. She’d eventually relented. Her father had been fully on board with her making a new life in Killcreek. And her mother? She was still on the fence, insisting that she and Cross visit for Thanksgiving before she made her final assessment of Addison’s life choices.That should be interesting.
It would be another month or two before their house was move in ready. Construction had wrapped up on Jekyll’s house, and they were working on finishing up Cue and Cross’s houses now.I mean ours.Cross constantly corrected her when she slipped up.
Ours.
Addison peered around the dimly lit, empty bar. It was after two in the morning. It was a far cry from her fancy bar backin Iowa. The tips were less than stellar, her boss was kind of a dick, and the pay was subpar. Some people would look at it as a demotion. Not Addison.I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.
Addison double checked the front door locks, turned off the lights, and walked through the curtain leading into the strip club. It was closed for the night, but she’d started to park in the back lot, as per Cross’s request.Girl, it was a demand.He’d given her a long speech about safety. There was more lighting and cameras in the back lot. Addison went with it. After all, his intention was good.
She walked into the strip club, making her way toward the back door. A small noise coming from the bar had her gasping, and she spun around. As far as she knew, they’d shut down at one. No one was supposed to be there.
Ava was behind the bar, glass in hand, staring across the room, deep in thought. Addison tried not to stare, but there was a familiar sadness.
“You okay?”
Ava glanced up and immediately smiled. “Thought you’d be long gone by now.”
Addison walked down to the lower level, heading toward the bar. “Monty.”
Ava laughed. “One of my favorites.”
Mine too.He was a local, a heavy drinker and a recent widow. Most people cleared out of the bar by one in the morning. Not Monty. He stayed ’til closing at two. Loneliness was as painful as grief. Dealing with both?I’ll hang out with Monty until two.
“Wanna drink?” Ava lifted up the bottle of tequila. “Or do you gotta get home?”
Addison wasn’t going home to anyone. At least not tonight. Cross was on a run and not expected back until tomorrow. Aside from Cleo, she hadn’t hung out with many women since arrivingin Killcreek. But she’d always felt a kinship with Ava. She walked over to the bar area as Ava came out from behind, gesturing to one of the tables. She took a seat as Ava set up the glasses, giving each a generous pour. She sat across from Addison, toeing her heels off and hiking her feet up on the empty chair.
“Feel better?”
Ava sipped her drink and sighed. “I’ll take sneakers over heels any day.”
Same.
“So” —she raised her brows— “no club party tonight? Thought the big one was always on Saturday.”
