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“Lots of things, actually, but let’s start with that sketch you did for Scythe. You got real skill there, and you have no idea how much it helped.” Before Eliot went out of town, I had suggested a side project.

“So you got a good look at him when we were in the city?” I asked after Eliot returned from a long day of reviewing CCTV footage.

“Yeah. I know it was him,” he said, as if I was doubting him.

“Could you describe him? Like a sketch artist…Maybe we can put something together? That way, your computer guy knows what he’s looking for, at least. You all have an old version of him in your heads that’s gotta make it twice as hard.” Eliot had stopped eating, looking at me strangely.

“That’s…Yeah that’s a really good idea. You think you can do that?”

“We can try. I want to help…if I can.”

It wasn’t easy. It took a lot of time to figure out how to communicate certain features, but we managed to cobble something together before he left.

“Oh! I’m so happy it helped. If there’s anything else you guys need…or that I can do to help the club, I hope you know you can ask me.” The words tumbled out, but I meant every one of them. Those people were Beth and Eliot’s family;. They were unconventional and unexpected and full of life. They lived hard and loved even harder.

“You’re a good woman, Lilah. Scythe is lucky to have you. The club is lucky to have you. Can’t explain what a relief it is to see you two together. It’s hard not to grow attached. Especially with Scythe. Always saw him like another son. Wanted more for him, wanted him to want more for himself. You got him there.”

“You’re gonna make me cry!” I shoved his shoulder, surprised by the emotional statement coming from the big, gruff man.

“Go ahead. Take a lot more than a few tears to scare me away. Now, I don’t wanna get you in trouble with work. I’ll be here to make sure you get home. Don’t leave without me.”

“Okay. Thanks, Reaper,” I said, just as Opal called my name from the bar. The rest of the night passed in a blur of beers and mixed drinks. Even though Reaper was there, Tommy stayed at his table. I stopped by a few times to bring him some water and an order of wings and fries. I felt bad that he was wasting a Friday night babysitting me. At a two-top nearby, a man in an ill-fitting suit had been drinking alone all night.

Nursing the same beer I had given him well over an hour ago, something about him rubbed me the wrong way. He was watching everyone in the room in a way that made my skin crawl. It wasn’t like he was looking for someone to go home with…He was just watching. It gave me the ick, but I dismissed it.

My other tables needed attention, and by the end of the night, I had forgotten about him. The place emptied out, and my feet were cramped. I felt sticky…everywhere. As promised, Reaper followed me home and walked me to the door.

“Put my number in your phone. You ever need anything, call me directly.” He instructed before I went inside.

“Oh, that’s okay. I have Charlie and Fee’s…” He gave me a look that had me shutting up and scrambling for my phone. After calling him to make sure he had my number, I finally went inside.

The next night, Charlie and Bull were sitting at the bar. It was a Saturday night, and the place was packed. The duo made an intimidating sight. Both tall and fit, they looked like vikings or werewolves from TV. Every table was full, and that same creep from the night before was back, this time taking up an entire booth. He had ordered a glass of top-shelf liquor, so no one was pushing him out yet, but he still made me uncomfortable. What an asshole, taking up a full booth for over two hours. Marc, the manager, waved me over.

“If that guy doesn’t order anything in the next fifteen minutes, get him out of here. Can’t have him taking up that table all night. Here. Bring him a menu. See if he’ll order some food.” Charlie and Bull were watching us, their previously carefree expressions gone. I smiled at them, trying to assure them that everything was fine. Grabbing the kitchen menu, I made my way over to the man’s table.

“How you doing over here? This is the menu, if you want to order any food.” I pasted a smile on my face as I hovered next to the table, pad in hand. He took the menu, placing it down without a glance, his gaze focused on me fully. He tilted to the side as if looking behind me before returning his focus to me.

“Your new friends are real interesting,” he said, and I froze.

“Excuse me?” The words felt leaden on my tongue, anxiety spreading over my skin.

“Kyle is mighty concerned about who you’ve been spending your time with.” He gave me a sick smile, letting his words sink in before leaning closer, his hand snatching my wrist to trap me at the table.

“Especially the old man who was here the other night…You think he could handle the rest of his life behind bars?”

“Get your hands off of her.” Like a blonde ball of fury, Charlie was at my side, pulling me behind her as she stepped between the man and me.

“Ah, the club princess. Must be fun, growing up around all those big men…Any of them ever give you a try? What sort of man wants that life for their little girl? Makes you wonder.” The man taunted. I felt bile rise at his accusation. The man leaned back in the booth, one arm draped over the top as he looked at us with amusement. In a flash, Charlie had the man’s wrist in her grip, his forearm bent at an unnatural angle.

“Listen close, fucker. You have no idea the world of shit you just stepped in. Tell that pansy ass if he has something to say to us, he can come here himself. You obviously haven’t done your research.” The man jerked in her grip, his face turning red as he fought her hold. But she wasn’t budging. Instead, Charlie took a step closer, leaning her face close to him so she could whisper directly into his ear.

“If you did, you’d know people who make threats like those don’t have the best luck. Once it’s out there…it’s like a ticking time bomb. You never know when it’s gonna go off. But when it does, somebody ends up dead.” Charlie dropped his wrist and stepped back just enough to make room for Bull, who had finally joined the conversation.

“Outside.” He spoke the word but was already hauling the man up by the front of his shirt. All eyes were on us now as Bull marched the man out. I followed closely, my mind still reeling from everything that was happening. Once in the parking lot, Bull didn’t stop until he was shoving the man against an unassuming beige Audi.

“So, Gerald Kowalski from Hillside Circle in Villanova. You got anything else you wanna say to Lilah?” The man’s eyes widened at the mention of his name and address. He turned to look around the lot to see if anyone was coming to help him, but it was just us.

“Think it’s time you got in your car and headed back to your master. He sent you on a fool’s errand.” Bull turned as if ready to walk away before pivoting and punching the man straight in the face. Something came flying out from the impact. Is that a tooth? As he dropped to the ground, blood poured out of his nose and mouth.