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“It’s funny ‘cause it’s true,” she says, chuckling through her shirt.
I do a final check of my outfit in the dirty staff room mirror, then lean on one of the lockers as I wait for Lenix to change into her work shoes. Then, begrudgingly, we head for the door and clock in.
I’m cleaning the bar with a dirty rag when I hear the bell over the door clang. We’re only minutes away from closing and I stifle a groan from the thought of pouring another pint foranotherlousy tip.
I’m the last one here aside from Gary hiding somewhere in his office, and I’m itching to clock out. I huff out a long exhale and mentally prepare myself for the night to drag on even longer. I look up, trying my hardest to slap on my best fake customer service smile but it quickly falters when I see three guys standing near the door.
An ominous chill snakes down my spine as my eyes skip to the one stepping closer to me, his black hair slicked back, his dark eyes staring straight at me. My smile might have been fake but his is eery, mischievous even, as if he’s in on a joke that I’m not privy to.
I somehow manage to rip my stare away from him and survey the other two behind him. One has bleached blond hair and a bored look on his face. The other has shaved brown hair, his eyes on his waist, busy unclipping his gun from his holster in slow, deliberate movements.
Terror freezes me to the spot, the rag I’m holding falling with a splat at my feet. Suddenly, I do the first thing that springs to mind—I duck behind the bar, a feeble attempt to protect myself from the danger buzzing in the room.
The silence is deafening, when I hear footsteps coming from the back.
“Have you started cleaning yet? I want to lock up soon,” Gary asks, popping out of the hallway near the bar area. His eyes are fixed on his phone, but his steps falter when he sees me cowering near the sink. “Sunny, what are you doing ther—” A menacing laugh pierces the room, making Gary stop short.
“HelloGary, long time no see.”
Chapter 5
Byzantine
IttakesDavis—Garynow—onlya second to register who’s in the bar. He locks eyes with Connor first and blanches, his phone clutched tightly in his hands. There’s a slight tremor to his lips as he stares at him, then Bastian and finally, me. When his gaze lands on the scar on my neck, he turns a sick shade of gray. I can’t help but smile.
Surprise, motherfucker.
How does it feel to know you’re about to die?
“I…I…can explain.”
Gary chokes on his words, sounding as befuddled as he looks. An idiot frozen in place. Shifty eyes swiveling left and right.
I let out a dry laugh as I stalk towards him, pulling my gun from my holster and shoving the cold barrel under his chin. Gary chokes out a shriek but says nothing more.
He’s dumber than I remember if he thinks he can explain how hehappenedto slit my throat while out on a job together. The shitstain thought he could just take the money and disappear.
I came back from the dead so I could send him in my place instead. Looming over him, I dig my gun even deeper into his jaw.
“Now listen to me carefully,Gary,” I spit his stupid name out like venom. “Let’s make one thing very clear. Your death ismineand it won’t be quick. I’ll make you suffer for what you did to me. Maybe torture you for a day or two. Who knows? I haven’t decided yet. The inspiration will come to me—I'm sure. So now you have two options. You either be a good little boy,” I taunt, tapping my Ruger twice on his cheek and he whimpers in response. “And walk out with Bastian right now, or I can happily drag you out by your ball sack instead. Your choice.”
The fear in Gary’s eyes is almost laughable, he sputters to answer, knowing that death is his only option tonight.
“I—I’ll go. I’ll go,” he finally stutters out.
“Good choice,” I reply, giving my gun a final shove before dropping it to my side, the pungent scent of ammonia filling the room. I take a step back from Gary’s petrified body and cover my nose, realizing he just pissed himself.
“Jesus fucking Christ, Gary, have some fucking decorum,” Connor says as he gestures to Bastian to drag him out into the SUV waiting outside. “We have a lady present after all.”
An almost inaudible gasp finally tears my attention from Gary but I see no one until Connor leans over the bar and drags a girl up by her arm. She doesn’t fight him, only clasping her trembling hands over her mouth.
Her eyes swivel around the bar until they slam into mine.
Suddenly, time slows down, then speeds back up.
I take a step back, feeling like I’ve been knocked off my feet. I swallow hard, unable to move. I’m transfixed as she continues to stare at me, her hand still firmly covering her mouth. I can’t tear my gaze away from hers.
Her eyes. Hazel brown and terrified.
