Page 105 of Consequences

“If he felt like I do right now, I wouldn’t blame him if he never wanted to see me again. I couldn’t breathe, Lex. I wouldhave rather taken a shotgun blast to the chest, and then I went completely numb.”

“He was upset at causing you pain. That hurt him that night. He thinks it’s a necessary pain, but I think he needed to see how much you care in order to start listening to his heart. But that’s just my opinion.”

Marnie opens her mouth to respond, but Lex stands and walks away before she can. “Guess the conversation’s over?”

It’s only Monday, which means it’ll be a long, slow night. The only customers are older couples who come in for the early bird special and order old fashions and side-cars.

At least they tip well.

A slightly disheveled blonde woman walks into the bar with a man who looks oddly familiar. Marnie can’t place why, but the hair on the back of her neck immediately stands on end.

“Okay, that is definitely a working girl,” Emme says when she walks up to put in an order. “And he looks like he likes it rough. Maybe even into something kinky.”

“I don’t ask questions anymore,” Marnie says, chuckling uncomfortably as she pours the scotch for Emme’s table. “Hopefully he’s a good tipper.”

Emme takes the drink to the table, and the blonde walks up to the bar. Something in Marnie’s gut says she needs to remember her. “Hey, you know the Deranged Drifters club, right?”

“Kind of. My dad’s a member in Summerville. I just moved here.”

“Can you get in touch with Frances?” she asks, her voice a whisper.

Narrowing her eyes, Marnie runs through the members she knows. She would definitely remember that name. “I don’t know a Frances.”

“But you know the club, though?”

“Yeah, but I don’t know everyone’s real names. Do you know his road name? I could see him keeping Frances under wraps. That’s the kind of name that gets a guy’s ass kicked on the playground.”

Shaking her head, she forces a smile. “Thanks, but I don’t.”

“Do you want me to call someone?”

A cold feeling hits Marnie as the woman shakes her head and walks back to the table. The man gives her an almost predatory smile, and Marnie’s heart begins to race. Something about this man is off.

Why do I feel like I need to memorize this woman? Maybe I should call someone. Or Lex. Lex would know someone in Griffin’s Beach named Frances.

The tattoo almost glows from the table, and Marnie focuses on it. How she overlooked it when she was right in front of her, she has no idea, but she sees it now. A cross on fire with a banner.

What’s that name on it? I think it says… Aaron?

The rest of the night carries on, and she doesn’t notice the couple leave.

“He paid cash,” Emme says, “and tipped a normal amount. You were staring hard at them. Got a thing for the dude?”

“Something feels off.”

“What did she say to you?”

“The Drifters. She wanted me to get in touch with someone I don’t know.”

Emme shrugs. “Maybe some guy lied to her and said he was part of the club to seem cool. Some guys need a gimmick to get chicks. Even when they’re hookers.”

“Yeah, maybe. Do you ever have one of those feelings like you just saw someone for the last time?”

“Like she won’t be here again?”

“No, like she might die.”

Gavin walks into the restaurants and over to them. “Who might die?”

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