Page 51 of Clover

Chapter 27

Clover

It’s been almost two weeks since Nix served Braxton a little punishment for what he did, and I’m finally back behind the bar. Getting back into my normal routine, but with a few minor changes. Such as I always have Sloan and Lucky with me. Lucky tucked inside my shoulder holster, which is visible in the bar because Faust approved it. Sloan in the corner at the end of the bar behind a baby gate until she learns to follow and sit and listen to commands. And not pee on the floor. She’s pretty good about letting me know, but she still has an accident or two here and there.

Secondly, for now, I don’t go anywhere alone. Ever. I don’t argue this time, and Beau, Rosie, Nix, and even Lily are always available to ride with me whenever I need to go somewhere.

If it weren’t for Nix getting back in the shop to tattoo, he would probably be with me all the time. But I know he misses tattooing. He still does his job for the Syndicate, but tattooing is something hehasto do. He’s drawn to it, and it feeds his soul. There’s no way I could keep him from it.

Since I returned to work, we decided I would only work afternoon shifts until I feel comfortable working after dark. Nix is trying to only go on deliveries during my shifts so he can be with me at night as well. Once things settle back into place, and I don’t require round-the-clock chaperoning, we’ll go back to working nights and crazy hours. Weirdly Griffon has been accommodating to shifting schedules around mine and Nix’s requests for now.

I went to meet with him and Faust after we left Arrow at Robin’s Nest last week. We had a very long and in-depth heart-to-heart. I said my piece, I thanked them both, and answered a few more of their questions about the whole ordeal. They didn’t ask me to expand on the sexual things that transpired, thank goodness. It was hard enough to tell Rosie about them. I don’t think I could repeat them again. I just want to put it in my past and forget it.

That’s what I’m doing. Getting back to my life and not letting what Braxton did follow me around like a dark cloud waiting to rain on my parade. Fuck the rain. I’m going to live no matter the weather.

In the bar, things are as they were before. None of the patrons know the truth, and none ask why I was gone for a few weeks. Most of them probably didn’t even notice. That’s exactly how I want it. They don’t need to know my personal business. Rosie sits at the end of the bar drinking a glass of sweet tea and going over some inventory sheets. Lily is next to her, sipping a hot tea and eating an early dinner. In my absence, they had to hire a new server quickly to help with not only my absence but Rosie and Beau’s for those days they were looking for me or staying with me after. Which means now Rosie doesn’t have to serve unless she wants to. The new waitress is pretty good, actually. Hasn’t spilled any drinks on anyone yet, so that’s good in my book.

I’m in the middle of pouring a draft beer when I hear the door open, and it takes me a second longer than normal to look up since I don’t want to spill the draft. When I do, I see a face almost as threatening as Braxton’s. His right-hand man. I never learned his name, but I’ll never forget his face. Tall and strong as any personal bodyguard should be, clad in a black suit with a white button-up. An obvious bulge under his suit jacket where his gun rests in wait. Short, shaved hair and beady dark eyes. He looks like an ex-professional wrestler or something. He was one of the two who helped abduct me and was the one who came into the prison penthouse Braxton locked me in. He knew what Braxton was doing and helped.

The irrational fear of him taking me right here in the middle of the bar explodes in my chest like an atom bomb. Two seconds before I register Beau at my side, Lily and Rosie watch like hawks from the end of the bar. He’s not stupid enough to try it here with so many witnesses and three Colton’s watching. With all my panic and fear, I hadn’t noticed he was carrying a small black box with a green bow wrapped around it.

Watching me watch him, he walks straight for me. I react before he can reach the bar. Drawing my gun from the shoulder holster and pointing it straight at him.

“Get the fuck out.” My voice is a lot calmer and more commanding than I thought I could manage.

“Whoa, easy there.” He holds up his hands in surrender, the box still gripped in one. “I come in peace.” I sense Beau’s presence more than I see him. I can’t see anything but this brute right now. The edges of my vision turn red. He doesn’t draw his weapon that I know he has on him somewhere, but he’s primed and ready if I need him.

“What are you doing here?”

“Just delivering a package.” Slowly he reaches out without stepping closer and sets the black and green box on the bar in front of me, returning his hands to the surrender position.

“Ok, you delivered it. Now leave.” Rosie bites out at him from his side of the bar, Lily flanking her. I’m pretty sure the people in the bar are all watching us, but no one moves or says anything. Either they're too scared or know this is the norm here.

Mister Wrestler bodyguard grins and backs away, lowering his hands and turning to leave without a word. Immediately Rosie is across from me, hands on the bar top.

“Okay, who is he, and why do we hate him?” She asks.

“He works for Braxton.” I holster my gun and continue quietly. “He helped take me and knew where I was the whole time.”

Before I can say anymore or even look at the box he dropped off, Beau turns to look at a man sitting at a high top nearby. The man is watching us carefully, and when Beau jerks his head towards the door, the man needs no other instruction. He stands and walks out behind Braxton’s guard. I don’t know what they are going to do, but I don’t give a damn. Whatever it is, that fucker deserves it. Just as much as Braxton does. It’s one thing to stand by and watch as someone gets beat up. It’s another to watch a girl get abducted, locked in a room with no exit, and raped.

Nearby sitting at the bar, a man and a woman whisper talk loud enough for me to hear.

“What the hell just happened?” The woman asks. She doesn’t sound frightened but curious and excited. This must be her first time in Colt’s.

“Happens all the time here. Just ignore it and drink your beer. Trust me, you don’t want to get involved.” Her male companion answers.

“This is my new favorite bar.” She says in awe. I ignore their chittering and turn my attention to the box in front of me.

It’s the size of a small shoebox. The black is matte and as dark as Braxton’s soul. The green ribbon is silky and a vibrant emerald color. Tied in a big fluffy bow on top.

“What do you think it is?” Lily asks from over Rosie’s shoulder.

“Does Braxton know how to make pipe bombs?” Rosie adds.

“Probably. After what Nix and I did to him, I wouldn’t doubt he would try something so cowardice.” Beau steps up to my side, and we all stare down at the box, not quite sure if we should open it or not.

“Excuse me, can I get a refill, please?” Some guy asks from somewhere. I don’t look up from the box to see. Rosie answers for us.

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