“You’re not wrong,” I sighed, rubbing my dry eyes, “I guess it can wait until tomorrow. I have to come in early anyway.”

“Do you normally work open to close?”

I shrugged, “Generally. Collin refused to hire any more staff, and I’m the only one who knows all the procedures.”

“Really?”

I pulled my bag out from behind the bar and replaced the apron, “You guys didn’t exactly luck out when you put him in charge. Collin was a pretty shit boss.”

“A pretty shit employee, too, from the sound of it.”

I gave him a dry look. Collin could roll in his grave for all I cared now. Was I still feeling twingy about the whole thing? Yeah, but I wasn’t entirely bonkers. If it was between my life or his, well, see you in hell buddy. Save me a fucking seat.

“Well, then I suggest you better screen the next guy.”

“We will.” he gestured to my bag, “Is that everything?”

When I nodded, he led me to the back of the bar. He opened the back door of the car parked at the mouth of the alley, following me inside. I sat back, bag in my lap as he murmured something to the driver too softly for me to catch.

We were silent as the car moved through the deserted streets of PortCity. I was surprised to find the silence was comfortable. Inside was warm, but not insufferable.

I felt my eyes pulling down, heavy with sleep, and resisted the urge to lay my head down on the seat next to his lap and curl up.

By the time we reached my apartment I was well and truly dead on my feet. The stress and anxiety of the past two days had fueled my body forward, but it was wreaking havoc on my mind.

Don got out before me, pulling open my door and taking my bag from me before I could do much to protest. I had a feeling I would be learning how to pick my battles with him, so I didn’t bother trying to push it.

I pulled the door open to the building, ignoring the hard stare Don gave to the code box.

“Hasn’t worked in years,” I mumbled, standing at the elevator, “I assume you’re not going to leave until I’m inside my door?”

He gave me a wink, his eyes glittering, “You got it.”

When we were at the door I reached for my bag, but Don held it behind him, “Do I not get invited in?”

“I didn’t think-” I cleared my throat, “I mean, it’s late.”

He just stood there, a smile on his face, certainly not put off by my statement.

I hesitated, at a loss for what else to say other than, “Sorry it’s still a mess from trying to run away from y'all” so I said just that, scrubbing any trace of embarrassment or guilt from my tone.

I opened the door to find, not a tornado of clothing and personal loitering’s but a tidiness that I didn’t even manage at the best of times. Don brushed his way inside, as I stood scrutinizing the space. Jaymes wouldn’t–naycouldn’t–have done this.

I narrowed my eyes at him, but he gave me a blank the-fuck-are-you-looking-at vibe. I waved it away, pointing to a small table and basket set right outside of the kitchen.

“You can drop the bag in there,” I added, “Please.”

He did, settling further into the small space and eyeing the couch and all around. He might have even checked the bathroom, but it was a subtle and cursory inspection before he made his way back to the door.

“You should get that shower now. I’ll leave a man at the door. Tomorrow when you wake up, have him call me, and we can discuss your future at the bar.”

I stopped short, “Are you firing me?”

“Quite the opposite. Consider yourself promoted.”

Tags: Ashley Michele Paranormal
Source: readsnovelonline.net