Page 39 of Lady Sings the Blues

“You done, Elise?”

Oh no, no, no.

That’s so not Bartender Rick.

“Thanks for the call, brother.”

This would be when I actually look around at my surroundings and notice what I should’ve noticed when I first walked in here. All the leather cuts with, you guessed it, Brimstone Lords. Under it, the fiery devil head and an Illinois rocker.

My. Luck. Sucks.

“Time to go home, Elise.”

I pretend not to hear him. Pretend not to see him. Liv excuses herself from my side wearing what can be described as a “holy shit”look on her pretty face while I stand shaking my head and wishing A.—I had a firearm, and B.—That I knew how to shoot it.

While pretending not to hear or see him and contemplating firearm use, I turn my attention as a drop-dead gorgeous man, strawberry blond hair and big brown eyes just like Livvy, only he’s covered in tattoos and has snakebite piercings and gauges in his ears, walks up to her at the bar. “Good to see you little sis. I’ve missed you.” The name on his cut says Bloodhound.

Why can I never shake these guys? My one female friend up here has ties to the Lords? The universe hates me. It’s official. Hates me. If I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again—

for the one billionth time…

My.

Luck.

Sucks.

“Raif,” she practically cries his name. “Is it safe for you to be here?”

“I’m fine, baby girl. Small world.”

Well at least I know she didn’t set me up. I could never forgive such a betrayal. Beau still watches me, but with the lull in action, I discretely move to the hallway leading to the bathrooms.

I don’t know how much time passes when the door to the restroom swings open, and Beau strides in. “Can’t hide from me forever.”

“Was just giving you time to drop dead before I went back out there.”

“Darlin’, I’m beginning to lose patience.” He keeps stepping forward until I’m backed against the sink. Grabbing my hips, he sets me on top of the basin, pushing between my knees. “How did you think it was okay to wear this?” He slides his hands up the slits on my thighs, completely changing the subject. “Out without your old man? There are consequences to your actions, Elise.”

I’m sorry, what?“Did you hit your head?”

“What?”

“Did. You. Hit. Your. Head? Because there are not consequences for my actions. You’re not myold man. I’m not your old lady. And I can wear whatever the hell I like, whenever the hell I feel like wearing it.”

“Time to go, Elise.”

“Then go, Beau.”

“Woman, you’re tryin’ my last nerve.”

“Yeah well, I wastryin’to get laid,” I somewhat slur. “Too bad my one friend hasassholeiations with the Lords. Guess I should’ve paid better attention. A mistake I don’t intend to make again.”

“You need to get laid.” Beau turns on his sex voice. “I’ll be the one to oblige.” His hand moves, sliding from my thigh to burrow inside my panties. He gently tugs and twists at the light bundle of pubic hair before those magic fingers find my center. And in finding my center, he pushes down and strokes.

My head falls back with a long, exaggerated moan I didn’t mean to give him.

“That’s it, baby girl. Get nice and wet for me,” he whispers while using his spare hand to undo his belt and the button on his jeans.

While he’s distracted, I strike, kneeing him in the groin as hard as I can. As Beau doubles over cupping his boys, I use the time for my escape. Dashing out of the bathroom I cut back into the kitchen gaining a few odd looks and choice words from the fry cook as it’s a very confined space, and head out the back door. The only way my get-away will allow me to get away.

It’s not a good neighborhood, but rounding the big, green dumpster carefully, this time making doubly sure not to run into any cuts since I can’t seem to trust anyone, and the universe hates meandmy luck sucks, thankfully I see a bus stopped at a stop and make a run for it.

After paying the fare, I drop down in an empty seat below the window line. We hear yelling and engine rumbles in the distance. The bus driver turns to me and I shrug. I guess that was enough of an answer because he turns back and shifts into drive.That was close.Alone again.

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