Betrayed by My Own Companion

DJ, who had seen the whole thing go down, tossed me the first aid kit he kept behind his booth. I caught it with

was a relief. The cuts on his cheek and brow looked like they'd been caused by a ring-probably someone wearing it on their dominant hand who swu

e if he was conscious enough to respond.

helped him up and pointed him toward the bathroom to clean up the rest of the mess. I tosse

the beat. I slipped right back into bartender mode, making drinks, sliding beers across the counter, tossing in casual smiles and witty r

nd the group cheered. At some point, someone asked for a weird drink I didn't know how t

once to signal last call. I let out a breath and started cleaning

d into the staff room and changed into my normal clothes-a pair of soft gray leggings, a loose navy blue tank top, and my

ver my shoulder and fished

t. See y

out through the front door and waved to the owne

!" I c

thing back with

rom nearby bars and food trucks. But it was quiet enough. I loved this part of

wasn't chaotic. Taxis still prowled the roads, and some tourists milled around in restaurants or

liked the sounds of the city at night. The faint buzz of neon signs, the occasion

t to change. My bag sat comfortably against my hip, and I yawned, blinking sleepily. Th

d around my waist. Another

loded in

spered in my ea

udden moves and I

rk

my grip firm around her waist. Not that I ever planned on hurting her-but

ld. I started pulling her backward, toward the alley w

sted in my arms. Then-before I could stop her-she wrappe

l, but strong. And clearly not the kin

here and help

the pavement. He dropped down and grabbed her ankles, trying to pry them free from the po

er my breath. "You're making th

up toward the open trunk. She tried to twist again, but I had her now. I shoved her gently-but firmly-into the

ell like

breathing hard. "D

here she'd elbowed me. "Yea

catching my breath and making sure everything had gone smooth

y chest. I hadn't expected to

ther girl. And this wasn

anym