“Alice, you only look about twenty-five. How many years have you been running, honey?”
“Ha! Bunny, I’m twenty-eight, and I’ve been on the run for seven years. I was married at eighteen and disappeared three years later. The marriage was a massive mistake and a disaster. I left with the cash I could find and ran hard. Like you, I’ve a false ID that Magic bought for me. So, I hide, work and go home. That’s my life, Bunny, and I’m content.”
“Alice, aren’t you lonely? Because I was, and I didn’t have any friends. But I met people at the library, regulars I grew to know, and I missed them. Even surrounded by the bikers and old ladies here, I’m still isolated because they’re not part of my world, and I’m not theirs.”
“Yeah, I understand. But you’re with Pyro now, Bunny, and you’ll become part of his life and then leave. Like you, I don’t wish to be abandoned. So forgive me if I don’t want to create a bond with you,” Alice said sadly.
“Alice, even if they find Tanner and end this threat, I don’t think I can return to my old life. Even if my job is still open, which I highly doubt as I’m overdue returning by a month, I don’t fit in there. But I do here. The bar suits me, and Magic pays as well as the library did.”
“Bunny, I can’t imagine you being a librarian.” Alice giggled, and I joined.
“That seems like another lifetime ago.”
“That’s because it was. You’re a different person now,” Alice pointed out.
“See, that is what I struggle with. I say Janet wasn’t a survivor, but she was. I keep talking as if Janet was a separate entity from me, but she is me still. This is so confusing.”
“Talk how you want, honey,” Alice said reassuringly.
“It’s like Janet before murder and Bunny after the murder. Yet, as Janet, I could secure a fake ID and save my own life. And it’s funny how I think Janet was weaker than this version of me. Because I wasn’t weak, and I was stronger than I believed, but I’ve grown, and I’m not ashamed to say it.”
“Well, we all find a hidden strength when shit goes bad. I most certainly did. Something primal kicks in, and we fight to survive. It may not be conscious, but each of us has a desire to live.”
“The infamous flight and fight instinct?” I teased, and Alice laughed.
“No, even more primal than that. There’s something that when everything is the darkest, we fight. And it doesn’t matter how we win; it just matters that we do.” Casually, I studied Alice. There was something profound in her words. I sensed Alice had been brought to the brink of death and faced it before fighting back.
“Is he still searching?”
“Yes, he’ll never stop. But like your threat, he won’t even think of looking in a biker pub. No, he’ll be checking in coffee shops and other low paying work. I didn’t complete school and had no other skills to speak of. So, he won’t imagine that I’m slinging shots in a bar because I was pathologically shy,” Alice said.
“We’re two peas in a pod,” I laughed, and Alice nodded. She rose to her feet. “Tomorrow, we finish early. Perhaps we can grab a movie and takeout?” I recognised the bravery for what it was. Despite her wariness, Alice was reaching out a hand in friendship.
“Alice, I’d love that.” I smiled. “Dakota will be over, but I can tell him to come later, as we’ll be safe upstairs in the apartment with everyone in the bar.”
“Oh, I don’t want to infringe on your time together.” Alice started backtracking.
“You’re not. Alice, I need a girl’s night, and I’ll tell Dakota to bring some booze tonight.”
“Deal!”
For the rest of the shift, I watched Cara with hawk eyes. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but Alice was right. There was something wrong. Magic warned Cara about flirting when she took it too far, and she simmered down, but I kept seeing Cara exchange glances with some customers.
Magic began watching her interactions, and Cara was good at her role. Actually, she was better than good. Cara was great. I couldn’t put my finger on it. But I disliked the flirtation, and when I was called upon to sing, Cara sent me a filthy look later on. Cara also didn’t like it when several presidents spoke to me for a few minutes. The bad feeling I was getting was around her attempting to hook one of the club members in the bar.
Alice and I took our break together and discussed what we’d witnessed. We both had the same misgivings and decided to give Cara another shift before raising concerns with Magic. Cara showed absolutely no interest in Magic or the other staff. Although she portrayed herself as friendly, she lacked sincerity. Something we’d both picked up on. When Dakota entered the bar, Cara perked up and thrust her breasts forward. Okay, I know Dakota was freaking handsome, but to pick him out of all the hunks present? I found that suspicious.
Dakota strolled over, completely distracting me from my thoughts about Cara, and reached out a hand to cup the back of my neck. He dropped a lingering kiss on my lips, ignoring the hoots from the peanut gallery. Dakota ended the kiss, gazed into my eyes, and smiled.
“Hey, baby,” he drawled.
“Hi, Dak,” I replied softly. Dakota slapped my butt with a laugh.
“Shift your ass before Magic murders me!” I followed Dakota’s gaze and giggled as Magic stood, legs planted apart, arms crossed, and a glower on his face that would terrify the grim reaper.
“Satan’s Warriors called for a round of beers,” Magic grunted as Dakota sauntered over to where Rage MC sat. That was strange. No Hellfire was present tonight and hadn’t been all day. Dakota sat his ass in a chair as Cara hurried over to take his order. I knew Dakota would want a corona, so I already had it ready for when Cara returned to the bar. I handed it to her, and Cara sent me a frigid look before scurrying away with a grin plastered on her face. She spoke a few words to Dakota, but he was busy talking to Drake and ignored her.
“Bitch is gonna be trouble,” Magic rumbled, and I nodded.