Page 34 of Sling’s Awakening

Russ shrugs. “Consider it a warning.”

“Well, here’s your warning, jackass. You need to give everyone their phones back. It’s illegal as fuck to take someone’s property. You can have a no-phone policy, but you can’t take them. That’s stealing. So unless you want the cops showing up in here, I suggest you give them back,” I bite out before spinning on my heel to leave the room. I pause in the doorway as I look over my shoulder. “Oh, and if you ever pull what you did with Curse again tonight, you’ll be answering to me.”

I strut out of the room without waiting for him to respond. It’s going to be a bunch of bullshit that I don’t have time for. If I had stood there and listened to one more word, I would have probably punched him in the face.

God, he’s such a fucking douchebag.

Crystal’s eyes come to me as I emerge from the hallway and head toward the bar. Jinx is still on stage finishing her set while Hex is working the floor.

Good.

All my girls are accounted for out here, so I know they won’t run into him backstage.

I step behind the bar, helping Crystal out with a few drink orders that came in all at once. I need a mindless task to help calm me down.

Sometimes I wish I had never stopped smoking cigarettes.

This is one of those times.

I just know a Camel Crush would cure me right now. There was nothing more satisfying than hearing that little ball burst and then a blast of cool smoke hitting the back of your throat. It was damn near the equivalent of an orgasm.

But I had to go and be all healthy and shit.

“How did it go?” Crystal asks, her customer service face not moving an inch in case he’s watching on the cameras.

We both know he is.

I smile at the man in front of me as I hand him a beer before turning to her, smile still in place. “Not good. He’s drunk. Don’t go back there. I’ll take your drawer back tonight.”

Crystal’s smile falters slightly before she quickly puts it back into place. “I don’t like it when he drinks, Gin. He gets more handsy and is just a fucking dick.”

I nod. “I know. He looks like shit, too. I know he went home last night because I was the last one to leave, but I don’t think he slept, and he definitely didn’t shower. He’s still wearing yesterday’s clothes.”

Not to mention he fucking stinks. It smelled like ass in the office, and that space can’t afford to have any weird smells in it. It’s already small to begin with and the ventilation sucks. The small fan I brought in only does so much, and usually it’s just moving the stale air around. The room feels suffocating at times.

“What in the world is going on with him?”

“I don’t know, but I’m going to figure it out. I’m afraid things might get worse before they get better.”

Crystal pauses as she studies me, concern etching her features. “You won’t leave, will you? If you go, I don’t think I can stay. You’re the only person here keeping this place running smoothly. I will lose my mind if I’m stuck with him.”

If I leave, it won’t be by choice.

“I’m not going to leave you girls hanging.”

Crystal opens her mouth to speak, but Big Jack interrupts. “Gin, can I talk to you for a minute?”

Crystal looks as confused as I feel. Big Jack never talks to me while we’re open unless there’s an issue on the floor. He barely leaves his spot by the door.

I don’t have a good feeling about this.

“Of course.” I smile at him, not letting my uneasiness show. All of this is getting way too weird.

I step out from behind the bar and follow Big Jack around the corner, finding a spot that’s somewhat private and away from guests.

“What’s up?” I ask once we’re out of earshot.

Big Jack looks around uncomfortably as his hand comes up and scratches the back of his neck. “I want you to know I don’t want to do this, but I can’t lose this job right now. Nancy and I are still down to one income.”