Page 11 of Devils Cut

"Anytime, Tempest," he said, smiling broadly before turning back to his door job. "Anytime."

Amanda's laughter reached us from across the bar, her eyes sparkling as she watched Killer and me. "Your shift finished ten minutes ago, Tempest," she called out, leaning against the polished wooden counter. "You can go if you want, or jump the other side of the bar for a drink?"

I glanced at the clock hanging above the shelves of liquor, realising that time had flown by while I was engrossed in conversation with Killer. The temptation to stay and learn more about this world I'd stumbled into was strong, but my exhaustion was stronger.

Brushing a strand of hair from my face, I smiled at Amanda and said, "Oh no, I'll head out, but thank you though."

I grabbed my things from behind the bar, untying my apron and hanging it up on a nearby hook.

"Get some rest, girl," Amanda advised, her voice cutting through my thoughts like a knife. "You've earned it."

"Thanks, Amanda," I murmured, pushing the door open and stepping out into the afternoon air.

"Have a nice night, Miss Miller," Killer called from behind me, his voice cutting through the silence like a knife.

"Call me Tempest," I replied without breaking stride, my words leaving a trail of mist in the chilly air. The weight of my new name filled me with a strange mixture of pride and unease.

"Alright then, Tempest. See you 'round." His laughter echoed after me, a dark promise that sent shivers down my spine.

I fumbled for my keys, the cold metal biting into my skin as I unlocked my car. A battered old thing it was, but it had gotten me this far, and for now, it was home. As I slid into the driver's seat, I allowed myself a moment to just breathe, before I started the engine and took off for the park.

Chapter 6

Corvus King

The sun was high in the sky, making the bar sweltering hot. It didn’t matter how many aircon’s were running, Arizona was hot. The front bar had become my sanctuary. A place where I could forget my responsibilities and drown myself in conversation, booze, and the growing intrigue of Tempest.

It had been four days since I hired Tempest, and I found myself spending less time in my office and more time at the bar with her. She was a puzzle waiting to be solved, and every encounter only fuelled my desire for more.

"Hey, Corvus," one of the guys called out. "You gonna join us for a drink?"

"Sure thing," I replied, using any excuse I could find to remain in the dimly lit space. My office seemed to shrink by the day, an oppressive cage I sought to escape from whenever possible.

"Another round, Tempest," I said, sliding onto a stool beside Hammer. Her smile sent shivers down my spine – a mix of innocence and danger that I couldn't resist.

"Coming right up," she replied, her eyes meeting mine for a fleeting moment before she busied herself with pouring our drinks.

I leaned closer to my brothers, raising my glass in a toast, while inside my mind churned with thoughts of the woman behind the counter. What was it about her that drew me in? Was it her fierce independence, or the darkness I sensed lurking beneath the surface?

"Corvus, you've been out here a lot lately, man," one of the bikers observed, clapping me on the back. "Not that we're complaining, but don't you have work to do?"

“I am working," I muttered, taking another swig of my drink. The truth was, I couldn't bear the thought of returning to my office and being alone with my thoughts. Out here, surrounded by my brothers and Tempest, I could pretend that everything was as it should be.

"Hey, Corvus," another biker chimed in, "you ever think about moving your office out here? Seems like you're spending more time at the bar than behind your desk."

"Maybe," I replied, my voice heavy with sarcasm. But deep down, a part of me wished it were true. If only I could escape the confines of that tiny room.

The ice clinked against the glass as I spun it in my hand, my eyes drifting over to Tempest. She was behind the bar, serving drinks with that mischievous smile. The one that made every man in the room want her, and me to question whether she'd be more trouble than she was worth.

"Corvus," Amanda drawled, sliding onto the stool beside me. "You're out here an awful lot these days. Something on your mind?"

"Stay out of my business, Amanda," I snapped, not bothering to look at her. But I knew what she was getting at, and I couldn't deny it. Tempest had me captivated, like a fly in a trap.

"Fine, have it your way,” Amanda smirked, the corners of her lips curling up like she knew something I didn't.

As if on cue, my phone buzzed in my pocket. An urgent text from one of the guys needing help with a shipment. Guess it was time to get back to business.

"Later," I grumbled, pushing myself off the stool. Amanda just laughed, watching me leave with that same infuriating smugness.

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