It was time to work the floor and take care of the customers.
The night was, for the most part, uneventful. The players were more subdued, still giving each other a hard time but with far less energy than they’d had the night before or even last week. Maybe it was thoughts of Emmett, or my feelings of disloyalty to Lance, but before I knew it the night was over and my boss, Jasper, stood before me with a scowl on his face.
I looked up nervously and blinked. “Is something wrong?’
Jasper shook his head slowly, as if his thoughts were on things more important than a card girl with a complex.
“No, just thinking about…shit. Anyway, I just wanted to tell you that you’re doing a good job. The players love you and your sassy mouth and the guys say you’re doing really well.”
“Which guys,” I asked sarcastically. “Hulu and Mace, I’m sure.” I blinked and snapped my mouth closed almost comedically. “Sorry. Ignore me.”
But, of course, Jasper wasn’t the kind of guy to ignore anything, especially if it might impact the business.
“Is someone giving you shit? If so, you need to tell me.”
I shook my head, secretly appreciative that he didn’t automatically assume the problem was me but also determined to be my protector—from his men.
“Nothing I can’t handle. Really.” He didn’t look convinced so I changed the subject. Quickly. “I’m happy you think this is working out, Jasper. This job isn’t what I expected, but I’m enjoying myself and happy to be working here. Glad you think I’m doing a good job.”
I hoped I didn’t sound like I was trying too hard, but I was grateful for the compliment.
His full lips twitched but neither a smile nor a laugh appeared.
“You are. Here’s your tips,” he said abruptly and handed me an envelope filled with cash and walked away.
“Thanks,” I mumbled more to myself than to Jasper’s back.
He stopped abruptly and I froze when he turned to face me, hoping that didn’t sound sarcastic. “Mace said you might need a ride home.”
“Oh. Right. No, I’m good. Emmett is going to pick me up.” Did that make it sound like there was something going on between us? God, I hoped not. Did I even care? Yes. Maybe. A little.
“My car wouldn’t start, and he was kind enough to give me a ride.”
Jasper nodded again, but this time it felt more like a nod of approval. “Good. Good. Emmett is a good guy. A nice guy. You can trust him.” His gaze was serious and sober, like it mattered to him.
“He seems like a good guy.”
“He is. I’ve known him since we were kids. He’s quiet but solid. Dependable.”
It meant a lot to me that a man as strong and powerful as Jasper had taken a moment to assure me that I was safe with his people. I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face.
“Thank you, Jasper.” He seemed like an excellent judge of character and according to Lance, no one could read people like Jasper, which meant if he thought I was safe with Emmett, I was.
“You’re welcome,” he grunted at me and left, this time for real. As if he couldn’t get away from my emotions fast enough.
As big and bad and powerful as Jasper was, he was still a man. Terrified of emotions.
That thought brought a smile to my face and that smile stayed until I was safely back at home, locked safely in my house.
Chapter Eleven
Emmett
I should have gone straight home after dropping Vanessa off at the card game, or if I needed to go anywhere else, back to House of Ashby. But my vow to keep her safe had me doing something else, heading back to the big Colonial house she lived in to check on her car. Maybe it was something I could fix easily before her shift was over and save her a trip to the repair shop.
At least that was what I told myself when I pulled up and blocked the driveway and grabbed what I needed for a nighttime inspection. With the lights set up, I stepped in close, expecting a simple fix. The last thing I expected to find was the spark plug wire had been clipped, making no mistake that it had been done on purpose.
“Fuck,” I said to the engine block. My heart raced at the notion that someone had targeted Vanessa, because I doubted it had anything to do with her personal life, that someone connected to Lance had meant to do her harm.
Just the fucking idea that she could’ve been hurt made me sick to my stomach. But it wasn’t so simple, I realized the more I looked at the sharp slice that separated the wire. But before my thoughts got the better of me, I reached for my phone. “Terry. I’m at Vanessa’s place and I need you here. Quick.”