She doesn’t get the chance to answer. The door before her opens, and a biker steps into the fissure, looking us over as he sidesteps us and heads to the side of the building. To take a piss, no doubt.
Sip has one bathroom, in the far back corner, which is usually operational for business only.
“Go find us a table. I’ll get you a drink.”
“I don’t want a drink,” she says quickly.
I narrow my eyes at her. “Didn’t I just tell you to behave?”
“I don’t drink unless I’m at home. Ever since…”
I grin. “Aw, did you quit on my account? How bleeding heart of you.”
Her eyes widen.
“Go sit down.”
She contemplates a moment before listening, finding a table near the dance floor that’s empty. It always is. It’s a respectable joint.
“What can I get ya?” the bartender asks.
“One red wine, one glass of your best bourbon, neat. Also, the bathroom key.”
His back stiffens. He’s a young kid, and one I’ve never seen here. If he knows protocol, his face tells me he’s never had to follow it. Not yet, anyhow.
There’s a first time for everything.
“P-passcode,” he stammers.
“Nightshade.”
The bartender, who can’t be any older than twenty-two, reaches under the counter. I hear the safe unlock over the music, and his shaky hand retrieves the door key and hands it to me. “Here you are, sir.”
“Thank you. I’ll return it when finished. I’ll need my drinks taken to that table right there.” I point to where Greer is nervously looking around. “We’ll also take two burgers with fries and some water.”
“Coming right up.” He scampers away, and I ensure Greer isn’t eyeing me as I sneak back to the bathroom and unlock the door before pocketing the key.
I get back to the table as our drinks arrive, and Greer relaxes into her chair, grabbing the goblet in her hand and gulping down a few mouthfuls. “You didn’t poison that, right?”
“Little late to ask, don’t you think?”
She eyes the red liquid, swirling it in her glass a bit nervously.
“Greer, I have you on the back of my bike for the ride back. Do you really think I’d drug your wine?”
“You have already, so I don’t know. Plus, maybe you’re planning not to take me back to the cabin tonight. Maybe tonight’sthenight.”
“Thenight?” I mock, swishing my bourbon before swallowing, savoring the burn.
“You know, when you kill me?” she whispers the word kill, and I find it… endearing.
“Ifthenight ever comes, I won’t let you know it has.”
Her eyes grow worried. “I don’t know if that’s meant to be comforting or not.”
I shrug, my eyes constantly scanning toward the bathroom door.
I have a specific task to handle tonight, and when he walks in, I have to hope Greer holds up her end of the bargain and behaves.
