Page 68 of Holiday on the Rocks
The security officer shook his head. “I’m not a judge.”
She flashed a ginormous smile. “Ya should be, Sir. You look like a real smart fella.”
I stepped forward. “Excuse me, may I say something?”
He gave me a nod. “By the way, thank you for what you do. I imagine it’s not easy to keep things under control around here.”
“I’m a police officer by day and this whole city is nothing compared to the clientele at this club.”
“Yeah, half clothed men, liquor, and ladies don’t mix well. But I can promise you that what Allie did here was because these girls are so special to her. She’d walk to the ends of the earth to protect her people. You know what I mean?”
“I do.”
“Well, I didn’t have many people there for me growing up, but you did. You know about the instinct to protect.” I pointed to Allie. “And this one. She is an angel. She’s brilliant with that brain of hers. She believes in people and sees the best in them without judgment even when they’re a little jacked up.” I met her eyes and knew there had to be a way to get her back. “She’s sweet, kind, and anyone she has in her life is lucky to have her. I know things went sideways here tonight, but these women would never be out to just hurt anyone.”
The security guard leaned back in his chair. “Listen to this guy talking you ladies up.”
I scanned over to Lexi and for the first time in, well, probably forever, her eyes were a little softer. Like not raging hate toward me, maybe just bubbling fury at the moment.
The security guard stood up. “You all had better get out of here before I change my mind.”
THIRTY-THREE
ALLIE
EXTENSION?
We grabbed Rachel and a shocked Royce when he heard what had happened before and flew out the door. Peace out Wienerlicious.
“I think Kristina could use some fresh air anyway.”
Rachel elbowed me in the boob. “Yeah, she’s probably had her fill of liquor and wants to forget the last hour.”
Kristina gasped. “Are you kidding me? You punched a chick, and we almost went to jail? I love tonight.”
As we all scrambled out onto the sidewalk I locked arms with Lexi. I knew she would keep me thinking clearly, especially after Levi’s words with the security guard which were sweet. The best thing for me would be to go back to the house and lock myself in the bedroom until sunrise. Nothing good happens after midnight. Enough todaying for today.
Lexi walked ahead of us and screamed. “An ice rink!”
In the distance was an ice rink with people skating around. There was an enormous Christmas tree in the center of the ice lit up with red and white lights and giant silver ornaments while Jingle All The Way drifted through the air.
I cleared my throat. “It’s getting kind of late.” I looked at my watchless wrist.
Rachel spun around. “Jeeze Allie, you’re younger than me. Don’t be a fuddy duddy.”
“By three months, crazy lady. I just think some people might be sleepy and maybe don’t want any more craziness.” I pulled down my coat, almost feeling Levi’s laser eyes a few people behind me.
I peeked over my shoulder and my eyes met Levi’s and his brow arched. I clearly needed to get away from this man. “But Rach, you should care about how the rest of us feel.”
She laughed and started skipping. “I actually cared earlier but you missed it.”
Levi’s crooked grin reminded me that I needed to be anywhere he was not. “And it’s cold.” I threw my arm around Kristina. “I think this little lady might be chilly.”
Know it all Lexi pulled out her phone. “It’s unseasonably warm, it’s like a heat wave for Colorado.”
“Well, I don’t feel super skatey. I’m just going to watch.”
Rachel pinched my arm. “Just try to be happy. If I give you a straw, will you go suck the fun out of someone else’s night?”
