Page 7 of Haven

Seven

Vesper

One of my favorite things was the smell of burning flesh followed by the sound of trash screaming. It was music to my fucking ears. Fire was a beautiful beast who knew no mercy. This unlucky asshole grabbed Emily’s ass, and when she made her protest known for the third time, he punched her, pushed her against the wall, and groped her. That was where he messed up. She was a regular and her partner worked with Cinder. She told him again and again to leave her alone, but the asshole didn’t listen. I wonder if he regretted his choices now that his dick was burnt to smithereens, and he was a blubbering fool sobbing on the pavement in the alleyway.

It seemed men only had one brain cell fighting for third place, and it was found in their dick. They saw a pretty girl and thought she automatically wanted shriveled dick and no orgasms. Most women who came to Reject Paradise knew it was a bar catering to the LGBTQ+ community, but cishet men thought it was an invitation. Cinder allowed straight men in to take their money, but if anyone was ever uncomfortable, they got kicked out.

With one last glance, I pocketed my favorite lighter and stepped back into the bar. Roxie would handle him from here. The bar would close in forty minutes, and we’d be back at the clubhouse by three. Emily was with Parker, resting her head on their shoulder. She had an ice pack resting on her cheek from where the asshole hit her.

“Thanks, V,” she said. “I can normally handle drunks, but I didn’t expect him to hit me in Cinder’s bar.”

“Of course. I’m sorry he got a swing in. He won’t be worried about anything for a while.”

“You good if I go out there, babe?” Parker asked. “I’m gonna make the bastard regret touching my woman.”

“I’ll be okay. Go defend my honor. I love you.”

They kissed her before joining Roxie out back. “Drinks on me for the rest of the month. Mal will stay here with you while I talk to Cinder,” I told her.

“You spoil me, V. Thank you.”

I left the bar to find Cinder and inform her of what had happened. I assumed she was in her office burning a hole in the hardwood with her worry. Rory wasn’t here tonight, nor was she around the clubhouse today. Cinder was an overprotective mama bear with her little sister, but Rory was grown. She never stayed in one place for too long.

My assumptions were proven correct when I pushed the door to Cinder’s office open. She was pacing back and forth, glancing out of the window and looking down at her phone every few seconds. Cinder’s one weakness was Rory, and she made it known that if anyone harmed her sister, they would die. No one dared touch a hair on Rory’s head.

“Roxie and Parker are dealing with someone. Guy attacked Emily, punched her when she refused.”

“Emily okay?”

“Yeah. The guy won’t be using his dick anymore. Parker is dealing with the trash now, and Emily is at the bar under Mal’s watchful eye. Are you okay?”

She looked at her phone. “I haven’t heard from Rory. I told her I wouldn’t check her location all the time, but I’m worried.”

“Cinder, she’s a grown woman. She’s not gonna break if you allow her some freedom.” I loved the woman, but she was overbearing.

“I know,” she sighed, running her hand through her hair, “but I have enemies who know she’s my weakness. People who will use her against me.”

I gave her a hard look. Her paranoia came in handy sometimes, but not with Rory. “You’re being paranoid.”

A wry laugh escaped her. “I know, and I am trying my damndest to give her space and freedom.” She took a deep breath, pocketing her phone. “Let’s go. I need a distraction and a drink.”

The bar was spotless as I locked the liquor cabinet. It was a busy night with rowdy customers, but almost everyone was behaving. One thing about the Vipers was we knew how to throw one hell of a party, but we weren’t reckless. Recklessness leads to vulnerability, and that was one thing none of us needed. There were no wars brewing, but the Crimson Devils loved to throw us for a loop, especially with their newfound alliance with the Primal Predators.

My music cut off abruptly as She Calls Me Daddy replaced Sleep Token. Rory changed her ringtone to that, being a tease. I never changed it back. Forgive my sins. I loved the idea of her calling me Daddy, but it was something that couldn’t happen. Not with Cinder having anything to say about it. I saw the time, and realized Rory was still not home.

“Mariposa, it’s late. Where are you?” I asked, bringing the phone to my ear. Rory was never at the clubhouse much anymore, but this was still odd, even for her.

“I need your help, V.”

She didn’t sound scared, but she sounded out of breath. “What’s wrong?”

“Someone might’ve tried to hit me with a car.”

“Goddamnit. Where the hell are you?” I hissed, grabbing my truck keys and the first aid kit. I locked up the bar, telling myself I would deal with the remnants tomorrow.

“Don’t tell Cin, please. I’m on the edge of Briarwood and Crestview,” she admitted, almost whispering. “I went to hook up with someone.”

“Rory, why the fuck did you go to Devil territory?” If Cinder found out, she would flip her shit. But more importantly, Rory could get fucking killed. Or worse.