Page 15 of Moros

One, I had no friends.

Two, I probably wouldn’t get in because of my fashion and low brow looks.

Three, without even checking, I knew I wouldn’t be able to afford the admission fee.

But everything about the décor told me the place was a man’s world.

All the colours were rich, browns and blacks. The expensive liquor wall surprised me, and the immaculate floors were new. The few times I went to a bar were times when I wanted to treat myself to a beer outside of my apartment.

Those times were rare.

“Shorty?”

“Mm?”

“Are you hungry?” He questioned.

He faced me at a booth where Boswell was biting into a burger.

“Um—I can eat later.”

“You’re my guest.” Khadri reminded me.

Sighing, I nodded.

“Okay.”

“Tell me what you’d like.” He motioned for me to sit. “We have?—”

“A burger is fine. Just no tomatoes.”

“Fries, onion rings—a salad on the side?”

“Fries, please.” I sat.

Khadri nodded and wandered off. I watched, holding my breath as he disappeared into the back before setting my purse on the seat beside me.

“Shorty?” Boswell asked.

“It’s a thing with him.” I flushed. “Sorry about earlier. I didn’t mean to?—”

“In today’s society, it’s a kneejerk reaction.” Boswell wiped his mouth. “I get it. I can tell you weren’t expecting me to be here. Moros thought you’d feel uncomfortable being here alone with him.”

“Oh.” I sighed my surprised. “I—I wouldn’t have been.”

“That’s good to hear.”

Khadri returned and sat beside me.

The warmth his body sent my heart racing as he pulled out his laptop and opened it so I could see the screen.

4

KHADRI “MOROS” WESTON

It was unbelievable the things Boss had found on Ryanne Larwick—almost nothing.

She was born and after a few weeks in the hospital, she was released into the system. Her parents died in an accident on their way back to the hospital to get her and it didn’t seem as if she had any family left to peak of.