"He did come back," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Yesterday. Sat at the back table for a long time."
The blood drained from Mattie's face. "Did he ask about me?"
"He didn't ask, but it was obvious that he was waiting for you. He came alone this time, sat with a drink for almost an hour, and when you didn't show up, he finally got tired of waiting and left. I was so glad that you weren't coming in."
A shiver ran down Mattie's spine.
Tarik had been waiting for her alone, and for some reason, that was worse than if he'd brought his pack of friends. They had seemed more reasonable and had stopped him from killing Dimitri. He was much more dangerous on his own.
He was a predator stalking his prey.
"If he shows up again, you need to get out of sight immediately," Anil said. "Duck into the supply room behind the bar and lock the door from the inside. Don't come out until I tell you it's safe."
Mattie snorted. "You think that a locked door will stop an immortal? He could break it down with two fingers."
"Punishments for destruction of property got much harsher after the rebellion. They're cracking down on anything that damages the infrastructure. Even commanders have to answer for it."
It was ironic that Tarik would face consequences for breaking a door, but not for breaking a woman. Property was protected. Humans were not, especially females.
This island was a nightmare masquerading as a tropical resort.
"I hope he will not come," she said, because there was nothing else to say.
The lunch rush started slowly, with a trickle of immortal commanders filtering in from whatever duties occupied theirmornings. They came in pairs and small groups, sitting at the tables and calling for drinks with the casual arrogance of men who were used to having their orders followed immediately.
Mattie moved between them, taking orders and delivering glasses with a fake smile plastered on her face. She kept her movements brisk and professional, avoided lingering at any table longer than necessary, and tried to make herself as invisible as she could.
It didn't work.
She could feel their eyes on her as she crossed the room. Hungry looks that followed the sway of her hips, the curve of her waist, the modest neckline of her blouse. Every glance felt like a violation, a prelude to something worse.
This didn't make sense. Tarik couldn't have told anyone what happened that night because it would expose the fact that a human had attacked him and that he had almost killed Lord Navuh's pet.
Then again, he might have told his friends a different version. Maybe he'd spread the word that the barmaid was easy, even eager for immortal attention. A venom slut who was desperate for her fix.
That was true for some of the maids who had served in the brothel before getting kicked out for being too old and losing their youthful beauty. They were addicted to the euphoria caused by the venom these immortals injected into their partners during sex.
Her fears crystallized into certainty when the comments started.
"Come here, beautiful," one of them called as she passed his table.
She smiled and rushed to another table.
"That's not a genuine smile, sweetheart," another said when she delivered his drink. "Smile like you mean it if you want to have a good time."
And then the hands began.
A palm on her hip as she leaned to set down a glass. Fingers brushing her thigh as she walked past. Each touch casual, almost accidental, but it was a clear message that these immortals believed they could do whatever they wanted with her.
Mattie kept her fake smile fixed in place and her movements steady, but inside she was screaming.
She was delivering drinks to a table of four commanders when one of them grabbed her wrist, and before she could react, he yanked her sideways, pulling her off balance and directly into his lap.
"Stay for a little bit," he said, his arm wrapping around her waist like a steel band. "Keep me company."
"Please, sir. Let me go." Mattie tried to keep the panic from her voice. "I need to serve the other customers."
"They can wait." His hand slid higher on her waist, fingers splaying across her ribs, just below her breast. "Such a pretty girl shouldn't waste her time serving drinks. It would be much better served in my bed with your legs spread wide and your pretty mouth shouting my name."
