A Dirty Business (Kings of New York #1)(27)

“Kelly told me what you do for a living. You gotta be tough to do that job.”

I gave him a look. “I’m good.”

But he didn’t look convinced. He lifted his chin up, moving back to his section, and I caught the measured look he gave in the direction Anthony had gone. The rest of the night passed with less drama, which said a lot considering I saw two parolees violating their parole, right in front of me. One caught me looking, looked like he shit his pants, and took off. The other one came over and bellied up to my bar, thinking we’d be “friends” about this. The crowd around me enjoyed the stern warning I gave him, which went like this: “Get out of here. Sober up. Expect a call from your parole officer.”

His chest puffed up the same time he was reaching over the bar for me. “Now, come on, you bi—”

Then he wasn’t talking anymore because I was around the bar, his hand twisted behind his back, and I was marching him out of the club myself. The security guards saw me coming, saw the guy red in the face because even though he had a good seventy pounds on me, I was still handling him. They opened the door. I shoved the guy out, and when he started arguing, I was in his face. “Walk! I don’t have time for this. Not tonight. Not here.”

He came at me again, and this time he swung.

I ducked, grabbed him, twisted his arm, and pushed him to his knees. By the time that happened, a nearby patrol squad hit their lights. I knew the cops. They knew me. They arrested the guy, but he’d be out within an hour.

So yeah. I still considered Anthony’s earlier warning the most drama of the night.

The rest of the night was me filling orders, getting hit on by a few guys and a couple girls, and also being called “bitch” six times because I didn’t take someone’s order fast enough. The whole time I was trying not to think about whether he was upstairs. If he was watching me. If someone else was sent up to serve him and his friend.

Then it was closing time.

I did the usual. Closed out my drawer, counted up the tips, cleaned my section, and went over the inventory list. Kelly came over, giggling and half all over Justin, who gave me a rueful look back.

“I’m heading to Justin’s for the night. Want to come over? We can unwind with a drink?”

Tempting, because I was still wired. A drink wouldn’t help this “wired” feeling in me. Only one thing would work it out of me.

“I’m going to head home.”

Kelly’s face got somber, and she came over to give me a hug. She said in my ear, “You okay? I saw Anthony at your bar earlier. It looked tense.”

I hugged her back, giving an extra squeeze. “I’m good. Stay safe, all right?”

She was back to her giggling and sighing self as she drew back, but she rested her forehead to mine. “He’s nice, huh?”

Some of the tension in me eased, just a little. Kelly sounded scared in that one question, but I nodded slowly against her forehead. “He does seem like a nice guy.”

“Can you look him up for me?”

I barked out a laugh. “I don’t need to. Anthony put him in the section next to mine—that says he’s solid. Anthony wouldn’t have done that if he had something I’d find in the system. My guess is that he’s fallen a bit too quick for you.”

She jerked her head back, her eyes wide. “He’s fallen for me?”

Ooh. I winced. “I’m guessing.” Maybe I shouldn’t have shared?

But it didn’t matter. Kelly was back to swooning, and the ever romantic in her was falling as well.

They took off after that, Justin giving me a wave as they left, his other arm around Kelly’s shoulders.

Once I was done, I headed out, and it was the first time I checked my phone.

I saw the text when I was almost to my car.

Leo: Call me asap. Your aunt’s call earlier was a big deal.

I didn’t react, not outwardly, but inwardly, a whole ball of dread filled me. I had known earlier that it was a big deal, a really big deal, but I’d tried telling myself to leave it alone.

I called once I was inside my car.

He picked up on the first ring. “There’s a situation.”

I prepared myself, hardening. “What is it?”

“You know where your aunt lives?”

“My aunt? Yeah . . .”

“Can you go and get her?”

“What?” I bit out, alarm filling my chest. “What’s happened?”

“A domestic situation happened. Your aunt is leaving him. Her and the kids. They’re at a local shelter, but I talked to a guy I know up there, one I trust. Your uncle has a reputation, and he’s not one to stay away from the shelter. Your aunt’s best bet is to get out of town ASAP. I volunteered to go up, but your mom overheard and started howling about it. She’s not receptive to taking care of your aunt here.”

“Shit, Leo. You’ve been there all night long?”

His voice came out gruff. “I don’t mind. Don’t have much else going on today anyways.”

Right. Because taking care of a drunk, especially the drunk of your best friend’s wife, who wasn’t quiet on the attitude side when she was liquored up, was totally something I’d be up for handling on my day off. But Leo asked.

“I know where she lives, but there’s basically no relationship with her. I’ll head up, see what I can do, though.”