“Phone,” I repeat. “Give me yours for a second.”
Diamond balks.
“I don’t give out my number to patrons,” she recites, shoulders square. Learned her lines already, I see.
“Good for you.” I don’t want it. “Phone.”
Diamond looks right, then left, and I can’t tell if she’s scared of getting caught or looking for someone to give her permission.But Treasure’s off to one of the VIP booths, and all of the other Mermaids are giving me a wide berth.
Christ. Usually girls don’t refuse me this hard unless they’re angling for me to get all dominant andorderthem. But I know enough to know that’s not what Diamond’s after.
Fine, I’ll spell it out. “I’mtryingtohelpyou.” I say the words to the X on her hip. “If that’s okay.”
Something flickers over Diamond’s face. She nods. Reaches under the counter and fishes something out—no-name prepaid smartphone.
I take it, thumb in the numbers. “Clinic hotline,” I explain, and save the contact. I swipe over to her Maps app, scroll around, and drop a pin. “And that’s the walk-in. They’ll test you free once a month.” I look up and meet her eyes, make sure she understands me. “Public health grant.”
I hold the phone back out.
“I’m…” Diamond’s eyes are big, brows up. Her fingers are trembling a little as she takes the phone back. No manicure, I notice. “I’m just a bartender,” she finishes.
“You are,” I agree. “Now.”
The music throbs, glassware and bottles buzzing to the bass line.
“He bothering you?” Treasure is back. And I don’t care for the Mama Bear edge in her voice.
“Just giving some friendly advice.” My voice is practically a growl.
“Oh yeah? Bet you left out the most important part.” She points a long-nailed finger at me. “Don’t fall for him,” she instructs Diamond. “Or any of Pan’s boys. They only know how to fuck around and break your heart.”
I look at no one.
“I’ll let Sapph know you came in, B,” Treasure adds lightly, scooping up the bills from my elbow. “You just stay out of trouble, all right?”
My mind flashes to what’s waiting back across the street.
To Tink.
That look on his face the other night, like I’d caught him at something.
“I fucking wish,” I mutter.
Then I drain the rest of my whiskey and leave.
CHAPTER 16
TINK
The knockat my bedroom door scares the shit out of me.
I sit bolt upright, covered in sweat, heart racing like I’m being chased.
I haven’t woken up like this in…weeks. Months. My brain and body gradually settled into this room, trusted that the lock on the door that definitely works. Boys don’t really worry about someone breaking into their room while they sleep.
And yet, another knock.
“Yo, Tink, you alive?”
