Page 7 of Guarding Salvation

“Nah, let her be.”

“Okay.” Bein didn’t exactly agree with that decision, but it was Bob’s to make.

He headed back to the table, grabbing knives and forks and condiments as he went. This wasn’t the kind of establishment that did table service.

Titan lifted a curved eyebrow. “Well?”

Bein dumped the stuff in the middle of the table for them to help themselves. “Well, what?”

“What did Bob have to say about the new girl?” He held a hand up to stop Bein. “And please don’t embarrass yourself by denying it.”

“Why are you always busting my ass, guys?”

“Because it’s fun,” Lotus replied.

“You’re all assholes but fine, yes I asked. Her name is Debbie, and he thinks she’s running from something or someone.”

“Yeah, and if her name is Debbie, mine’s the Virgin Mary.”

Lotus’ real name was actually Nazareli Holt but only a select few ever called her Naz.

“Exactly, he said the same. I asked if he wanted us to look into it, but he didn’t so…” Bein shrugged one shoulder.

“Probably a dickhead ex-boyfriend.”

“Or girlfriend. Not only men can be psychos, you know.” Titan defended his sex.

“Fine, whatever. Either way, it isn’t our problem unless lover boy gets involved.”

“I’m not getting involved. I just think she’s fit, and I wouldn’t mind fucking her, that’s all.”

A throat cleared and he glanced behind him to see Debbie with their food balanced on her arms. He didn’t want to think of her by Debbie because he knew it was a lie—he’d much prefer to think of her as Irish so that was what he’d do. Her face was bright red, and he knew she’d heard him. He glared at Lotus knowing she’d done it on purpose.

Irish laid the plates on the table and linked her fingers behind her back, rocking back on her heels. “Can I get you guys anything else?”

“Can I get some ketchup, please?” Lotus asked.

Irish looked at him and then Titan, her eyes flitting away quickly. “What about you guys?”

“Nah, I’m good.”

Bein nodded his agreement and watched her head back to get the ketchup.

“Not cool, Lotus.”

“But fun.”

“Don’t play with her. She isn’t your toy.” His words were harsher than he intended but he didn’t regret that. Lotus was lovely but she could be hard and a little abrasive until a person got to know her, and sometimes forgot people didn’t always get her humour.

She stopped with a chip halfway to her mouth in surprise at his outburst. “You’re right, I’m sorry.”

Bein nodded. “It’s cool.”

That was the thing with Lotus, she could be a bit of hard work, but she was always quick to say if she was wrong.

When Irish set the ketchup down and smiled as she went to walk away, Lotus stopped her.

“Hey, I’m sorry about embarrassing you back there. It wasn’t cool, and I shouldn’t have done it.”