???
Bunny
“Hey!” I said as Alice dumped a tray on the bar. It was late afternoon, and we had a lull in customers. There were five members of Fallen Warriors in, and they seemed to be celebrating the end of a job.
“Hi,” Alice replied, a slight furrow between her eyebrows. Casually, I cocked my head at Cara, laughing with Raddock.
“What do you think of Cara?” I said quietly. The little frown deepened, and I knew Alice had an issue.
“Seems nice. Cara’s able to tend bar and serve,” Alice mused.
“Something is putting you off,” I guessed, and Alice blushed. “Magic told us to monitor her and see how Cara goes, but I’ve had a vibe ever since she walked in.”
“Magic’s giving her a week’s trial before making Cara permanent. Maybe we’re used to it being us.” Alice shrugged. Magic leaned over.
“Take a break, girls; we’ve got this while it’s quiet,” he said.
“Good, because our food was just cooked.” Alice smiled.
“What did we get?” I inquired as we walked out to the kitchen.
“Ordered burgers and fries. Want to eat outside?” Alice asked as we collected plates from Brett, who winked.
“Yeah, it’s a nice day,” I agreed as we stepped outside and sat on a bench Magic kept there for staff. I took a bite of my burger and moaned. Jeez, Brett knew how to cook. The patty was thick and juicy, just as I liked them.
“Brett is amazing,” Alice mumbled, and I nodded and swallowed.
“Alice, we’ve worked together a while now, yet we’re loners. Sometimes I’d like some girl time,” I told, and Alice gazed at me.
“Where’s this coming from? You’ve got Pyro now; that boy’s hot to trot, honey,” Alice said.
“Yes, but if I’m honest, I knew Dakota as a child, then he disappeared… long story… I became a loner. Alice, I was so scared of being left alone again that I pushed everyone away. Didn’t want to get close in case I let someone in and they left. Now I realise what I’ve been missing, and truthfully, I need a friend, and I think you do, too.” Alice ate some fries as she thought things over.
“Bunny, I like you, don’t get me wrong. But getting involved in my life can be dangerous, and I’m settled. Bunny, I don’t want to up and move again,” Alice said slowly. Alice shook her head. “In another lifetime, we’d be friends, Bunny, but not now.” I gazed at Alice and saw pain and fear in her eyes. I took a deep breath and decided.
“Alice, my name is Janet Revers, and I’m hiding from a man I watched commit a murder. Line came after me, and the police didn’t believe me. Did you see that cop on TV? Officer Houser? Houser betrayed and set me up, so I ran. I didn’t know Houser was a dirty cop then. But I do now. Now I’ve got killers looking for me, and I’m hiding here,” I revealed. Alice’s eyes grew enormous.
“Damn Bunny, that’s some shit.,” Alice gasped.
“Let me tell you everything,” I said and explained. Alice remained there open-mouthed as I revealed every little detail and, in the end, sat there shaking her head.
“Holy crap, and Magic knows about all this?” Alice asked.
“Yeah, and he’s protecting us,” I replied.
“Us?”
“Dakota and I.”
“Magic is good people. He helped me find an apartment close to the bar when I landed here, and I’ve lived there ever since. Magic looks after his staff,” Alice said, and I nodded.
“Yes, and Alice, you understand that better than anyone. You’ve been here the longest, right?” I asked, curious.
“Yes. Magic took me off the streets. At first, I stayed in that apartment and then I moved out. Bunny, my ex, is highly abusive. If he finds me, he’ll kill me.” Alice dragged her tee down. I gaped at the scar running from the middle of her chest across her breast.
“Shit!”
“Yeah, he was an asshole. To stay safe, I moved from state to state and ended up here.”