Page 37 of Ruthless Salvation
I was looking forward to the night and cautiously optimistic about seeing Torin. I probably shouldn’t have been, but I couldn’t change how I felt. Mama used to say that feelings can’t be wrong. The way things were going, we’d find out soon enough if that was true.
* * *
I was goingto eat my weight in ramen when I got home. Working nearly nine hours straight with only a few quick breaks left me beat.
“Last call, then we’re home free.” Candice, one of the bartenders, announced while I gulped from a now warm energy drink. I’d opened it an hour ago and never had a chance to take a sip. I desperately needed a boost, even if I was almost done for the night.
“Time’s flown by, but my God, has it been busy,” I replied.
The man at the end of the bar who’d been chatting with me on occasion piped in. “I don’t know how you ladies do it. I’m tired just watching you race around this place.”
“You get used to it, but holidays are extra crazy.” I wasn’t sure how familiar he was with the scene. He must have been comfortable hanging out all night mostly by himself, but he wasn’t a regular. Maybe in town on business or something.
“Speaking of, it looks like someone’s trying to get your attention.” He motioned toward the stage where a man waved his hand drunkenly in the air.
“Duty calls.” I plastered on mybless your heartsmile and began my round of last call orders.
I’d gone by three tables when the music suddenly stopped, and Torin’s voice boomed over the speakers.
“Club’s closed,” he announced harshly. “Those with open tabs, cash out and leave. Party’s over.”
I glanced at Candice, wondering if she had any idea what was going on, but she looked just as shocked as I did. Shrugging, I hurried over to the computer to start closing out the open tabs.
“Well, guess that’s my cue. You ladies have a great rest of your night.” The guy at the bar had been paying cash, so I didn’t have to worry about cashing him out and tossed a quick, “You too,” over my shoulder.
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of Torin behind the man.
“Except you,” Tor said in sharp warning. “You.Stay.”
Unsure if I’d heard correctly, I looked behind me, eyes widening at the way Torin had his hand firmly on the man’s shoulder.
What the heck was going on? I wouldn’t get any answers until the place was empty, so I whipped back around and finished closing out the tabs. Once I’d retrieved the final signatures and input tips, I stashed the receipts and reached for my drink as the last of the crowd dispersed.
Torin’s hand clamped down on my wrist. “Don’t fucking touch it.”
“What? Why?”
“Hey, man. What’s this all about?” the guy at the bar asked, looking panicked.
“Blaze, grab whoever’s up front and tell everyone else to leave.”
Guess Tor wasn’t interested in answering questions.
Jolly strolled in from the back about then, leaning unbothered against the wall.
When the last customer was out, and the two guys up front made their way back, Torin set the energy drink on the bar and glared at the man with a rage so palpable, the air around him vibrated with it.
“Drink.”
“What?” Sweat now dotted the man’s forehead. “Look, I’m not sure what’s going on here, but I think you’ve mistaken me for someone else.”
“You wish. Now drink the fucking drink before I shove the whole goddamn can down your throat.”
Torin wouldn’t freak out for no reason. Did he think the guy had done something to my drink? I was always meticulous about keeping open beverages behind the bar on the back wall counter where they were safe. That was where it had been when I came over to close tabs, but I couldn’t remember for the life of me if that was the case earlier.
The guy looked utterly petrified as he reached for the can and took a sip. I kind of felt bad for him only because I hated seeing someone in distress, but if he had tried to drug me…
“Fuck this,” Torin growled. “Hold him.”