“Where the fuck is she?” Bash growls.
“Bathroom, maybe,” Javier states, attempting to give her the benefit of the doubt.
Bash storms down the stairs, Javier and I rushing behind him. When we hit the bottom, Jade’s passing us and he gently takes her by the arm, stopping her. Jade looks over at Javier when he steps up beside Bash and she instantly blushes.
“Have you seen Jennalyn?” Bash questions her.
She drops her eyes and looks over her shoulder, hesitant to answer.
“Just tell us, sweetie,” Javier says, and I swear Jade's face gets redder.
“She ummm…” She looks back over her shoulder toward the front of the club and I get a nagging feeling in my gut exactly where she is. “She umm, went up front by the door.”
“Did she ask anyone to cover the bar?” Bash asks her, his jaw clenching.
She shakes her head. “She said something about screw the bar and if Vee can leave, so can she.”
“Thank you, Jade. I’ll let you get back to work.” Bash lets go of her arm, and she tosses one final glance at Javier before scurrying away. The girl has it bad for him, and all he sees in her is a little sister.
“Come on,” Bash says as we head toward the front door.
“I’m going to go handle the bar,” Javier says, then heads in that direction, leaving me alone with Bash.
When we step out the door, Hank is sitting behind the counter and Jennalyn is all but in his lap.
“What the fuck are you doing?” Bash growls.
“I was getting Hank something to drink,” she announces, then she sees me standing just behind him. “Vee has left me at the bar all night working alone. I needed to use the bathroom and figured I’d take care of Hank on my way.”
Hank just sits there, his face void of any expression, his arm around her waist, resting on her hip. Jennalyn leans further into him, and I want to puke. Hank doesn’t even look my way.
“Sorry, Bash. I didn’t know there wasn’t anyone at the bar. I sent Jade up there to get me a beer.”
“Jennalyn, we need to have a conversation in my office. Now,” Bash tells her, accentuating the last word.
“Why? Shouldn’t you be talking to her?” She points her bony ass finger at me. “She disappeared all night. Left me all alone at the bar, and it’s not the first time.”
That’s it, I’ve had fucking enough.
“You know what, Bash? I had my reservations about your plan, and now I’m positive it’s not going to work. I’ll have my official notice for you tomorrow, but I’m leaving. There’s an hour or so left on my shift, but I’m done.” I step past him, glad my keys were already in my pocket and I don't need to go get them. I didn’t have a purse to get, and the only thing I have is my jacket, but I can come back tomorrow and get it then.
“Vee,” Bash says my name loudly. “I won’t accept that resignation. Just know I’m going to handle this.”
I give him a thumbs up, at the same time Jennalyn speaks up. “She doesn’t do shit, you should fire her.”
My body whips around, my hands fisted at my sides. Bash must see the fury building within me and holds up his hand.
“Jennalyn, Vee has worked with us for many years. She is a dedicated and hard worker. What you’re claiming doesn’t fit with her work ethic. What I can say is we’re going upstairs andwe’re going to look at the video recordings of the bar. If I see anything I don’t like, you’re going to be fired on the spot.”
I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face and when I leave the bar, there’s a little extra bounce in my step.
Chapter 24
Vee
Thewholeridehomeall I could see was that bitch in Hank’s arms. The way he rested his hand on her hip, holding her body tight to his. He didn’t push her away or look at her with anger. He wanted her there. As much as I hate to admit it, he’s replaced me, and all hopes of him changing his mind about sharing me with Luke and Josh are gone. It was a pipe dream, and now I need to face reality.
I park my car in front of my apartment building, exhausted after a long day. One that was both physically and mentally draining. My body feels like lead as I walk into the building. As I make it to my door, I see Josh leaning against it. His arms are crossed over his chest, but it’s his face that has me rushing toward him.
