Page 85 of Demitri

“Take a breath, keep your eyes on the cameras, and you won’t be alone for long. Oh, and text Aunt Linda. Let her know what’s going on.”

“What can she do?”

“That woman is a better shot than all of us put together. Just do it.”

I hang up and text Aunt Linda.

Demitri: The woman is here. ANON is out of commission this weekend.

I don’t expect a reply, and one doesn’t come. I continue to watch the camera feeds. And wait.

And wait.

And wait some more.

After what feels like hours, but has been under one, the door opens and three men walk in. Big, burly dudes that look like they’re right out of an MC romance. I recognize one of them as Davis. His long hair is down, something I’ve never seen. A few seconds later, two other men come in, and these, I recognize immediately as Sarge from Boulder Canyon and Sammy, the cop from Briar Mountain. The first two, though? Never seen them in my life.

One of the guys that I don’t know avoids facing where the woman is sitting, but the others scan the room like it’s their business. They pause briefly when they land on the woman, but that’s it. They go to the bar and lean in, speaking to Mia.

“Our friend said you have some funny drinks on the menu.” This guy is huge. Like size of a barn huge.

“Your friend, huh? He have a name?” Mia quirks an eyebrow at him. Thatta girl.

“Let’s say his name is ANON for now, shall we?”

Mia grins, nods her head, and pulls out a glass. “All of you want something funny to drink?”

“Beer,” the other guys answer in unison.

I smile as I watch Mia pull the Midori and peach schnapps off the wall and grab a shot glass, mixing the shot and sliding it across the bar.

“What’s it called?” He eyes the glass skeptically before downing it without waiting for Mia’s reply. “Huh. You guys should have one of those.” He grins at the men behind him.

Davis grins and winks. I swear, he’s too good looking, and he knows it. If it weren’t for the band on his finger, I’d be planning his murder. “I don’t need any Kermit the Frog Piss tonight, bud. But that was the perfect drink for you.”

The big guy turns to Mia and his smile gets even bigger. “You just gave me Kermit piss?”

“Yup. Want a beer now?”

He laughs, loud and free, drawing the attention of other patrons in the bar, including the woman. “That’d be great. Tap all around.”

“And seriously, can I get names?”

“Later.” Sarge smiles at her. “We’re here all night.”

She winks at him, turning to eyeball the camera. Yeah, she’s met the old guy a few times and knows I called in the help. “Bathrooms are down that hall across from my office,” she quietly tells them.

They don’t reply, just grab their beers and move to an empty table in eyesight of the woman.

Mia looks at the girls, all with varying faces of awe.

“How come everyone who comes in here that might be a helper looks like a Greek God with tattoos?” Nola blows out abreath, fanning her face. “Even the old one looks like a hot Santa with his graying beard! How does that happen?”

“You’ve got Christmas on the brain, huh?” Mia laughs. Smart girl, ignoring the hot Santa part of her declaration.

“Who wouldn’t want to sit on that lap?”

Mia flings her towel. “I want you to go over there and try it.”

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