Page 44 of Demitri

“I don’t know, isn’t that, like, illegal and shit?”

“Who gives a fuck if you get your rocks off and she feels good doing it? You just drop it into her drink and she’ll never know. Sometimes bitches need a little push. That’s all this is.”

“But what is it? Where’d it come from?”

“I know someone who’s selling it. Some hot chick. And you’re going to miss your opportunity. Those girls aren’t going to stick around for long after they eat. You need to go over and talk to them, slip this in her drink, and then be the good guy who offers to drive her home when she can’t fucking walk straight.”

At those words, I stop completely. Brodie always watches from the window when I’m on the floor to make sure nothing happens to me, and I look up, making eye contact with him. Part of being a bartender is listening to the patrons. And when what they are talking about doing in your bar is all kinds of illegal, icky, or just plain wrong, you call for muscle.

I see Brodie leave the kitchen and head toward me on the floor, and somehow I’m not surprised at all that Demitri is behind him. When they’re close enough to be effective, I step up to the table. The conversation ends immediately, because while they might be fucking terrible humans, I guess they aren’t stupid.

“You need to leave,” I firmly tell them. “Now.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t allow drugs in here. And I won’t let you drug anyone while you’re here. How’s that?”

“We didn’t do nothing, lady. Why don’t you go back to being a good little bar wench and leave us men to our night out?”

Well, I know which one was calling girls bitches now, don’t I?

I smile, showing just a little too much teeth and lean in close, so he can hear every word of what I’m going to say.

“See those guys over there? The big ones who look like they’d kill for fun? They’re with me. And would have no problem removing your head from your body and shitting down your neck. Understand?”

“I want to see the owner. Does he know his employees are talking to customers like this?”

“I bet you would. Let me go gethim.” I tilt my head, smile, and spin fully around, then stick out my hand. “Hi, I’m the owner, Mia. Get. The. Fuck. Out. Now.”

“Fuck you. There’s no reason to kick me out.”

“Isn’t there? We can do this the easy way, or the hard way. I guess it’s the hard way. I feel for your mother.” I turn away from their table and yell above the noise and music of the bar. “ATTENTION! These two gentlemen are discussing drugging some woman here! Cause according to him ‘bitches need a little push’ so it’s okay to drug them! Free replacement drinks for every female in the place, and if you start to feel off, come to me!”

“What the fuck, lady?” the guy says behind me, trying to hide his face from the now curious crowd.

“I gave you the choice—hard way is what you picked by not leaving. Now get the fuck out and never come back. And know I’ll be calling Pat at Barlowe’s and giving him a description of both of you, along with photos.”

“What?” the quiet guy cries. “You can’t do that. It’s illegal!”

I laugh. “You really want to talk about legalities? Besides, I can. See the signs posted on all four walls?”

I watch them look around to find the ‘this room is under camera surveillance’ signs. Their attitude drops quickly after that as they slide out of their booth and practically run to the door.

“You aren’t going to call the cops?” Demitri asks when I turn to him.

“No need. Brodie already did. They will be stopped right about,” I tilt my head and look at the door. Five seconds later I hear the sirens, “now.”

Demitri leans in close. “I am so turned on right now.”

“Save it for later. We’re too busy to leave.” I grin at him as I walk back to the bar.

As the women come up for a remake of their drinks, I notice the girls I delivered food to still sitting in their booth, one of the girls crying.

“Brodie,” I call over my shoulder. “Can you come help for a minute?”

“Yeah, but if it’s more complicated than a simple beer or screwdriver, you’re waiting! And hello ladies!” Brodie swaggers behind the bar, putting on all the charm. I’m sure he’ll have a pocket full of numbers before he leaves tonight.

Demitri watches me as I head back to the girls.