SIX
Eden
Halfway through my shift at the diner I’d had a phone call to see if I could start work at the bar early today. It was Friday, and the girl I’d covered for earlier in the week was still sick.
I was due to work anyway, so an extra four hours plus tips would be a nice boost to an already good week. I’d persuaded the manager at the diner to let me leave a little early, which gave me enough time to head home and quickly dress, deciding to wear my newly purchased underwear.
I chose the red matching bra and panties, wearing a tight pencil skirt and a sleeveless blouse, a few buttons undone to show off the cleavage that my new bra gave me. A hint of red lace showed around the edge of my cleavage and shoulders. Red lipstick to match the colour of the underwear was bright on my lips. I’d quickly brushed my hair and let it hang down around my shoulders.
I’d looked myself over in my bedroom mirror before heading to the bar, pouting at myself as I studied my figure. I turned to study my back, pleased with the way the tight skirt showed off my slim waist and curves of my hips and butt. I looked both smart and a sexy at the same time.
I’d arrived around 3:30pm to find it relatively quiet, a few old locals sitting at the bar, and a couple business looking types who’d probably come for a liquid lunch and decided not to leave.
I felt all eyes on me as I walked slowly to the staff entrance. I smiled, a little nervously, as I studied the faces in the room. My gaze settled on Cindy, the girl who I’d be working with for the afternoon and evening. We’d worked together occasionally when our shifts matched and overlapped, and we got on quite well.
She whistled at me as I approached. Two old guys at the bar laughed at her, their eyes still on me.
I winked at her. “Calm down, Cindy. I’m afraid you’re not my type, babe.”
She laughed warmly. “Damn, girl. Looking fine. Let’s hope some young stud comes in here, sees you all dolled up. All you’ll have to do is smile sweetly and he’ll be all yours.”
“Well, I won’t be holding my breath. Hasn’t happened so far, has it?” I sighed as I pushed the staff entrance door open, strutting towards Cindy.
One of the guys’ drinks was almost empty.
“Same again, Mike?” I asked, smiling at him.
“Yes please, darlin. And one for yourself, too. Seeing as you look so nice.” He winked at me, draining the remnants of beer in his glass. I poured him another, leaning over a little further than was necessary as I poured the beer.
Mike was one of the locals, who was in most nights drinking now since his wife passed away a few months back. He was like a friendly old uncle, we never had any trouble out of him. He always tipped generously and usually bought one or two drinks for the girls every time he was in.
I passed Mike his beer, adding two notches to the tally on his tab as I opened myself a small bottle of beer. I sipped the beer gingerly, enjoying the cold refreshment.
We were allowed a few drinks over the course of a shift. It was needed when things were quiet but even more so when things got busy.
I chatted idly with Cindy as we took turns serving drinks to the few people in the bar. As it approached 4pm, a few more guys entered the bar. A couple more locals, along with a few I didn’t recognize. Every man who came to the bar looked at me twice, some with wide eyes as they studied my figure and glanced at my cleavage when they thought I wasn’t looking.
I smiled sweetly and engaged them in small talk as I poured the drinks. Only the trusted locals were allowed a tab, the rest having to pay in cash. The tips were building nicely already. Cindy and I would split them evenly at the end of the evening, and she was doing her part, flirting shamelessly with everyone she served.
Most of the locals knew she had a long-time boyfriend and a kid, but that didn’t stop them from flirting back. I tried not to flirt too much, I didn’t like to give drunken men the wrong idea. So far I hadn’t seen anyone worth flirting with, anyway.
I smiled as a familiar face entered the bar, waving at my old friend Lucas as he took his police hat off and approached me, surveying everyone around. Some looked back nervously at the uniformed cop.
“Hey, Lucas. Been a while, hon. You looking for someone?” I said as he stepped closer.
He grinned at me boyishly while he looked at me, the worry lines evaporating as he smiled. He instantly looked ten years younger.
“Yeah, been a while Eden. Nice to see you.” He placed his hat on the bar, sliding a stool over to perch on.
“Oh, nah, I ain’t looking for anyone, don’t worry. I’m off duty as of…” He studied his watch. “Now.”
I saw a few relieved faces turn back to their conversation and drinks.
“Meeting a friend for a few drinks. You know Jack? Jack Storm?” he asked me, eyebrows raised. He was trying desperately not to check me out, but kept failing.
I giggled at him. We’d known each other since we were kids, but had stopped hanging around years back when I’d got with Conall.
“Can’t say I’ve heard the name.” I paused, thoughtfully. “Is he hot?”
Lucas laughed, wagging a finger at my cleavage. “Ah I see what this is all for now!” He carried on laughing as I frowned at him, trying not to smile.
“I guess so,” he continued. “I mean, I guess women would find him attractive, yeah. But he’s ah… unique. Bit of a wild card sometimes.”
“Hmm, ok. Well put a good word in, will you?” I said, winking. “What’ll it be Lucas?”
“I thought you’d never ask. I’m thirsty as hell. I’ll have a cold pale ale. Big. And get me a shot of tequila, too.”
“Whoa, slow down, cowboy!” I said good naturedly, pouring him a beer. Cindy brought him over a glass of tequila, which he downed in one gulp. He took a big mouthful of ale as I passed him the glass.
“Keep the change,” he said, passing me a bill. He rose to study the bar, eyes fixing on a booth near the door. He approached the booth and took a seat, sighing as he sat down.
The door swung open as Lucas took his seat. A tall figure entered, wearing a leather trench coat, black jeans and black boots. Short blonde hair, clean shaven. Very handsome, tall, lean and well-muscled. The coat sat casually back on his shoulders, accentuating his defined muscles. I could see his broad shoulders and biceps showing through the leather.
This must be Lucas’s friend, Jack. Wow.
Jack approached Lucas, and they clasped hands as they clapped each other on the shoulder. They exchanged a few words I couldn’t quite work out. They both laughed raucously, and Jack then turned to approach the bar.
I brushed my hair back with a hand and adjusted my top, trying to look casual as I waited.
Suddenly I froze, recognition sparking at the back of my mind. My gut turned to ice. I racked my brain trying to remember where I’d seen the guy. It finally dawned on me where we’d met before.
No. Can’t be. Fuck you, Conall.
The guy looked a hell of lot different, smartly dressed. Well groomed, not a mess like he did before. Clear, sharp eyes.
He had been an associate of the O’Rourkes, working as an enforcer and dealer. He’d risen through the ranks pretty fast, so Conall had told me, jealousy in his voice. I’d only met him once or twice, and he hadn’t paid me any attention at all. I remember his eyes. Focused and deadly looking. Cold. Never any fear.
I guessed Conall had contacted him upon his return to town, as Jack seemed to have somehow avoided prison. I was suddenly convinced Conall had sent him to watch or intimidate me.
I was still frozen in shock as he approached me, my mind racing in fear at the figure in front of me.
But something about him… seems different. What’s changed?
I grimaced as his eyes roved my body hungrily, before snapping back to my face. His gaze narrowed for a second, then he grinned mischievously at me.
“Hey. Hope I’m not bothering you, miss. Can I get a beer?”
Cindy walked over and elbowed me in the ribs.
“Now ain't the time to act like a rabbit in the headlights!” she whispered in my ear, pushing me towards the bar where Jack was standing.
I forced a smile, looking up into his eyes.
“Sure thing, hon. What’ll you have?”
His stare locked mine intently for a second. I felt something pass between us, but I wasn’t sure what. He ordered the same as Lucas, but with a whiskey instead of a tequila, knocking the whiskey back, gasping gratefully as he did so.
“And one for you and your friend, too.”
I poured his beer out with a shaky hand. My heart sank at his words.
Why does the hottest guy I’ve ever seen walk in here, hell, one of the hottest guys I’ve ever seen, have to be a damn gangster? Just my luck.
I passed him his beer. “It’s ok. I got a drink already,” I lied, giving him his change. Cindy took another drink for herself from the fridge behind us.
“Ok. Suit yourself. I’ll keep asking though, until you let me buy you one.” He winked at me as he turned to stride towards Lucas in his booth.
I felt Cindy approach me from behind, hand on my shoulder as she spoke into my ear.
“What the hell are you doing? Look at him!” She was frowning as I turned to face her, starting to go a little red in the face. “Isn’t that what you’re all dressed up for? To meet someone just like him?”
I opened my mouth to talk, not sure how to explain to Cindy that this guy was a nasty gangster.
“He’s…. He’s. Uh, he’s a friend of my ex, Conall. I think he might be involved in, you know. Dealing. Drugs. Not the sort of stuff I want to get involved in.”
Again.
Cindy laughed at me, tears welling in her eyes as she shook her head.
“What’s got into you, girl? That’s Jack. Jack Storm. He’s a cop, a detective! The best in town, so my boyfriend tells me. Doesn’t take any shit. Brought down the O’Rourkes.”
I stood, confused as my mind processed the information.
Took down the O’Rourkes? He was undercover! He took them down, got Conall away from me!