Page 21 of Sizzling
Nothing. All is well.
Dots, then …
You’re lying.
UGH! I was not telling her this over a text.
Watch your show and stop being a brat. I’ll be there soon.
More dots.
Fine, but I’m getting the big knife from the kitchen and putting a chair under the door. Knock when you get here.
A bitter smile touched my lips. I hated that she knew this life. But it was better than the one I’d taken her from.
Okay.
I wasn’t about to tell her not to. I’d feel better, knowing she was on alert.
The guitar I used here wasn’t mine. It was one that Bash supplied. He wanted me to use a flashy one onstage, and mine was nice, but it wasn’t anything like the one he had me use. I didn’t have to go back to get anything, and although I needed to tell Bash I was leaving and why, I didn’t have time. I’d text him and apologize that way. It was a shitty thing to do, but Dovie came first.
Grabbing my purse, I slung it over my shoulder, then headed for the door. When I opened it, I came face-to-face with Bash. Shit. He looked at my purse, then back to me.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“It’s an emergency. I have to go,” I explained. “I am really sorry about this.”
“Are you in danger, Briar? I know who Storm Kingston is. Do you?”
I nodded. It was a yes to both questions after all.
He ran a hand through his hair and let out a heavy sigh. “Shit. Okay. What can I do to help you? I know Stellan Shephard because my father worked with him some and Stellan helped him with a uh, situation, years ago. It’s how he got the money to open this place. But I’m not tight with them. They’re not people you get tight with.”
I nodded again. “Yeah, I know. It’s not them that my issue is with, if that makes you feel better. Storm came to warn me—that’s all. They won’t be back here, but I-I have to go. As in leave town. I thought I had more time, but I don’t.”
“Jesus,” he muttered. “Okay, right. At least let me go get your tips and pay you what I owe you. If you’re running, you need money.”
Yes, I did. But I had to hurry. “I don’t have much time.”
Bash pulled out his wallet, and I watched as he took out a small stack of one-hundred-dollar bills, then held them out to me. “Take this then.”
I shook my head. “That’s too much.”
It was at least two thousand, maybe more. He owed me a thousand, max.
“Take it,” he demanded, shoving it into my hand. “You need it.”
I hesitated for a moment, then wrapped my fingers around the cash. “Thank you. I’ll pay you back one day. I swear it.”
He shook his head. “Just when it’s safe, come on back. Your job will be waiting on you.”
I’d never be able to come back, but I didn’t say that. I gave him a smile I didn’t feel. “Thank you.”
“Anytime. Go. Be safe. Call me if there is anything I can do to help.”
I started to go, but stopped and threw my arms around him and hugged him briefly. It was rare that men helped me without wanting something in return. The emotion clogging my throat at his willingness to help surprised me. I wasn’t used to it.
Letting him go, I stepped back and turned to head out the back exit. I was going to miss this place, but I’d move on and find something new. I always did.
