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Finn nodded towards Mason standing by the door. Mason walked over, weaving through the crowd of oblivious patrons.
“Take her outside. Laura, here, isn’t allowed to return—ever,” Finn directed.
Mason gave a quick jerk of his head in acknowledgement as he reached for Laura’s arm.
She pulled away, fury blazing in her expression. “I can manage myself.” She tipped her nose in the air and left with Mason trailing behind.
“I’m sorry—I had no idea—”
“You are my hero.” Charli’s smile widened.
Her statement took him by surprise—almost as much as the kiss she then planted on him. He gripped her tighter as if he could hold on to this moment forever. The truth was this might be the last time he got to have her in his arms like this.
* * *
After they rang in the new year and passed out drinks for another two hours, they ushered the last patrons out the door. Charli yawned, sitting on a barstool. The other bartender, Ken, wiped the counter down.
Finn came up behind her, kissing her on the cheek and inhaling her scent. Amber and honey, like rich whiskey. “I have something I need to tell you, but I’d like to wait until tomorrow when we’ve both had some rest.”
Charli’s eyebrows drew together. “Is it bad?”
He ran a hand over his face and sighed. “It’s a memory.”
“Charli?” Mason interrupted.
“Yeah?”
“Found this on the desk in the office while I shut everything down.” Mason handed her a small gift box wrapped in ribbon.
She took it from him and inspected it. “There’s nothing but the tag with my name on it. I wonder who it could be from.” Charli pulled open the red ribbon before lifting the lid. The color drained from her face. Her body trembled as every muscle grew rigid.
“What is it?” Finn took it from her hands. Inside was one lone, moon-shaped earring and a note.
I haven’t earned this yet. See you soon.
“What the fuck?” Finn asked as he wrapped his arms around his wife. “What is this, baby?”
“I thought I lost it in the attack.”
His body turned to stone. “What?”
“I was wearing it the night . . . He’s back. He was here, Finn!” Charli clawed at his shirt, pulling him closer, clinging to him like she was afraid for her life.
“We need to call Bently,” Mason said, whipping out his phone and stepping away.
Finn set the box on the bar and held his wife while she broke apart in his arms, knowing that this was it. This was the end. Even if she pushed him away and hated him after this, he’d make sure she was safe—no matter the cost. He drew in a fortifying breath, summoning the courage. “I think I know who did it.”
Charli gasped. “What? How?”
“It’s all my fault.” He knew it in his bones.
Charli pulled away from him. His heart cinched tighter the farther she got from him. Tears glimmered in her confused gaze.
“When I went out back, I had a memory return. Well, bits and pieces.”
Charli swallowed.
“A man approached me about doing something for him. And I turned him down. He threatened you and my parents.”
