I inhale a big breath before blowing it out. Looking down the bar and finding Dave still busy, I decide to step into the back to get away from the chatter of the club for a moment.
Stepping into the back hall, I instantly feel better with the silence. I stretch my arms out before deciding that I'll make one path down the hallway before returning. Moving slowly, I pause when I hear a voice. Frowning, I turn down the hallway I hear it coming from. I run straight into Todd.
His hands grab my arms to steady me. He releases me as wrinkles appear in his forehead. "Watch where you're going there," he says, giving a slight chuckle but there's something tight to it.
"I'm sorry," I quickly mutter before my eyes stop on the man standing behind Todd. He's unfamiliar and there's something about him that sends warning signs through my head. His inky black hair falls down the side of his face and there's a large tattoo running over the side of his neck. His brown eyes narrow as he stares at me and his lips are set into a frown.
I take a step back.
Todd glances behind him before his gaze returns to me. "Oh, this is one of our vendors, Mario," he explains, gesturing to the man. He points at his hand, bringing my attention to the clipboard he's holding. There's a white piece of paper with black ink too small for me to read. "Mario, this is Winter."
Mario's eyes move over me from head to toe in a sleazy rundown that has me taking another step back.
Todd steps between us and he smiles. "Shouldn't you be working your shift?" he asks, and while his tone sounds friendly, something in his face isn't quite right.
"Oh yeah." I give a quick nod and a tight laugh. "I just needed a breather, but I'm headed back now."
"Good."
An awkward silence falls into the hall and I offer him a forced smile before turning on my heel and head in the opposite direction.
I only glance back once and when I do, I find Mario staring at me.
I hurry back inside the club.