I take a seat at the end of the bar, tucked into a corner where the shadows are deepest. It’s the perfect place to lay my trap. I release the energy I’m transmitting to the necklace—or the necklace is transmitting to me. I’m still not really sure how this works—and catch the attention of one of the bartenders a moment later. He’s young, probably close to my age, with a wide, charming grin that reminds me of Joel’s public facade. I suppress a shudder and smile back.
“Hey there, sweetheart,” he drawls, his bright blue eyes dipping to my chest before flicking back up to my face. I panic for a second before realizing he’s checking out my cleavage, not taking an interest in the necklace hanging against my chest. “What can I get you?”
“Can I get a can of whatever cider you’ve got? I should probably start light,” I say, giving him my sweetest smile.
“Sure thing. Planning on drinking something stronger afterwards?” The question seems innocent enough, but knowing what I do about him—or who I’m expecting him to be, based on what the women at the diner said and the way his presence automatically stirs uneasiness in my gut—I’m certain I can hear the predatory undertone.
If he’s the right guy, he's probably already planning how to spike whatever drink comes next. That’s part of why I ordered a can—it’s not nearly as easy to drop something into if I’m paying attention. Still, I need to be certain. The thought of taking an innocent life makes my stomach turn, soI need absolute proof of his guilt before I act. Only then will I be able to justify it to myself.
“Maybe,” I answer coyly, brushing my long hair back over my shoulder. “We’ll see how the night goes.”
He grins and turns to grab my drink from the mini-fridge. I watch him as he moves, noticing his eyes flick over to me more than once.
When he brings my drink, he lingers, propping his elbows up on the bar. “So, I haven’t seen you around here before.” His eyes dip to my cleavage again.Way to be subtle, buddy.
“Yeah, I’m just in town for a few weeks, staying with my uncle. Figured I’d get out of the house for a bit since it’s Friday night.”
“Well, welcome. I hope your Friday night doesn’t end up being too boring.” He winks. “I’m Jake, by the way.”
“I’m Brielle,” I reply. As soon as I say it, I regret not giving him a fake name. I’m the worst criminal ever, and I haven’t even committed a crime yet.
“That’s a beautiful name. What part of town are you staying in?”
I give him a vague answer about being quite a few miles out, in the middle of nowhere, then immediately launch into a fabricated story about my elderly uncle and how I’m helping him fix up his house. As I speak, my eyes to wander behind him, taking notice of the fire extinguisher in the far corner, the box of empty liquor bottles marked “Recycle,” and pool cue with a broken tip leaning against the wall beside the door to the back room.
The bartender—Jake—focuses all his attention on me, neglecting the other patrons while the other bartender helps them out.
The entire time we converse, I’m flirting and laughing athis stupid jokes, playing the part of a woman enraptured with his charm and fawning over how handsome he is. Too bad for him, I’m not really into douchey blondes.
Jake finally walks away to close out a different customer’s tab, and I don’t even have time to breathe a sigh of relief before I notice a familiar presence halfway down the bar.
Ambrose sits in one of the stools, wearing jeans and a black t-shirt that hugs his biceps. Most of the women in this place are casting inconspicuous glances in his direction, and I realize it’s probably because he doesn’t have his necklace to avoid the attention.
I’m standing from my seat and making my way over to him before I can think about what I’m doing. He’s going to fuck up this whole thing.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I hiss.
He gives me a sardonic smile and signals to the bartender, orders an old fashioned, then turns back to me. “I was interested to see what you were planning to do. When my new pet leaves the house, I’m inclined to find out what she’s up to.”
I grit my teeth, trying to keep my voice low. “I’m not yourpet, asshole. You need to leave.”
He merely shrugs, accepting his drink from the bartender and handing him a credit card. “Hmm…” he pretends to contemplate my demand. “I don’t think I will.”
“You’re fucking evil.”
He takes a sip of his whiskey, his eyes never leaving mine. “Can you blame me for wanting some entertainment.”
“Why couldn’t you have just stayed home and been boring like usual?” I ask, though the question is mostly rhetorical.
“No rest for the wicked, baby,” he taunts with a devilishgrin. “Plus, I couldn’t miss an opportunity to watch you seduce a man to death. I have to admit, it’s kind of hot.”
I roll my eyes and ignore the chill that runs through me.This is his game, I remind myself. Knocking me off balance just to watch me struggle, and I refuse to let him get inside my head.
I turn away from him, my heart pounding with anger. What a sick, twisted, cocky asshole. Taking a deep breath, I attempt to compose myself, then take my seat at the end of the bar while trying to ignore Ambrose’s existence.
“Everything alright?” Jake asks, nodding subtly in Ambrose’s direction.
I force a smile. “Yeah, everything’s fine. That’s just my cousin. He’s been pissing me off lately, but he’s harmless.”
