Page 6 of Guarding Salvation

She walked away to refill the crisps and he was left with so many questions about this woman. Only one person could answer them, and he was still busy yammering. That was the thing with Bob, he loved to gossip so much he was like an old woman.

Walking towards his friends, he set the three pints down, handing Titan his cider and Lotus her ale.

He sat, took a long pull on the pint, and wiped the foam from his upper lip. He saw his friends smirking and frowned. “What?”

Titan shrugged. “Nothing, just never seen you strike out before. It’s refreshing.”

“Fuck off. I didn’t even flirt with her.”

“Oh, you definitely flirted with her, and she shut your ass down.” Lotus was trying not to laugh louder.

“I wasn’t giving her my A-game and anyway, she seems too shy for me. Plus, she’s hiding something, and I don’t need that kind of drama.”

Titan held up his pint in salute. “Yep, totally get it, man.”

Lotus was playing with a spare beer mat, twirling it between her fingers as if it was a throwing star. “So, what are your thoughts on Hansen?”

“Honestly, I think this guy has gone to ground, and until he pokes his head above the parapet, we’re on a hiding to nothing.”

“I agree, but we have to try. This is personal for Jack and Eidolon after what he did to Astrid and Adeline. This dick deserves to die for what he’s done. Plus, I owe Jack more than I can ever repay.”

Bein didn’t know the full story, just that Lotus had been involved with the wrong people and Jack had given her a second chance.

Titan sat back in his chair, folding his hands over his chest. “Jack gave me back my self-worth, and for that, he’ll always have my loyalty.”

“I think we can all agree that Jack is the reason we’re here and not washed-up, dead, or in jail, but this is going to be a long game of cat and mouse with Hansen. We need to play smart, not fast. See through the chaos instead of allowing this prick to play us.”

A movement to his right had him turning to see the new barmaid laughing with old man Johnson. He had to be as old as these fucking mountains and yet he was still out on the hills day and night, checking his sheep that roamed free. Her laugh was deep and husky. Real, not fake and tinkly like some women who did it for attention.

It made him wonder what he’d said to get that reaction. She must have felt him looking because she glanced up and the spark between them arced across the room, leaving him aching to talk to her, to kiss her and feel her skin before she broke the connection and looked swiftly away. It was a strange reaction to someone he hardly knew and not one he’d had before. Chemistry was a strange thing and they clearly had it in spades.

“Did you order the food? I’m starving?” Lotus complained.

“Ah, shit. I totally forgot.” Bein jumped up and went to the bar, where Bob had finished gassing finally.

“Hey, lad. What can I get ya?”

“Can I get a steak and ale pie with mash and extra gravy, a chicken curry with rice, chips, and extra poppadums, and fish and chips with mushy peas, please?”

“That everything?”

“Yeah, thanks, Bob.”

Bein handed over the cash and waited for his change, using the opportunity to watch the new girl. Bob handed him his change. “Thanks. So, tell me about the new girl?”

Bob glanced across at her, as did he, as she began restocking the soft drinks. She knew they were talking about her; he saw her back stiffen ever so slightly, her awareness heightened as she angled her head as if trying to listen. She’d never hear over the noise of the patrons in the pub, but the fact she was so scared affected him in a way that made him uneasy. She was slim, probably too slim, and always moving as if she couldn’t keep still.

“She came in a few weeks ago looking for some cash-in-hand work. I wouldn’t normally do it, but you know sometimes you get a vibe that someone is in trouble and needs help, and that’s her.”

“You think she’s in some kind of trouble?”

Bob looked at him through narrowed eyes, slowly nodding. “I think she’s running or hiding. Probably both and whatever it is she’s running from has her jumping at shadows and I don’t like that. She’s a good girl, works hard, is polite and friendly, the customers like her, and you know this lot don’t normally warm to strangers easily.”

Bein did know that. It had taken them almost a year to accept him. He didn’t like the idea of this woman being afraid, it didn’t sit right with him at all. “She got a name?”

“She told me it’s Debbie, but when I say her name, she doesn’t answer to it very quick. I think that’s a lie too, but she has her reasons and as long as she does the work and plays by the rules then I’ve no problem with her keeping her business to herself.”

“Want me to get Watchdog to run her?”