I send him a glance over my shoulder. A flash of eye contact makes my skin sensitive to the slightest breeze.
None of this has eased me completely. Even if I have to remind myself that these people are dangerous.
Pixie must see it on my face. “Sanctuary ain’t a gang, sweetheart. We clean up what the law don’t touch. But the line gets blurry sometimes.”
Yeah, I bet it does. “What happens when it blurs too far?”
She shrugs. “That’s when Saint starts losing sleep.”
Pixie takes me back inside and behind the bar to “earn my keep.” I fumble with beer taps and bottles, but she teaches me how to pour a drink properly, sass the men, and look unbothered.
“Fake it till you bite back. Show them some teeth.” She mock bites the air at me, and I giggle.
I feel closer to her as we build a rhythm, and I stop messing so much stuff up.
A few of the men tease me about my violin, calling meprincess.
I’m not quick with retorts, but when one of them leans into the bar and spreads beer breath stench in my space, I’m ready to snap.
“You sure you belong here? Your prized possession looks expensive.”
I cock my hip and plant my hands on them the way I’ve seen Pixie do several times this afternoon. “So do I. And Saint still thinks I’m worth it.”
That leans the man back with a laugh.
Saint is passing through, catches me firing back at his man, and smirks. He nods, proud, and I try not to preen.
It’s freeing—I’m still scared, but my confidence flickers back to life.
Pixie notices it and starts to tease me. “There she is. The fire under the lace.”
After all the teasing, Doc comes in with my violin case. “Give us a treat.”
Pixie winks at me.
When I come around the bar, Doc grabs me by the waist and sits me up on the bar. He’s so close it sends a smattering of sparks through me before he hands me my instrument and backs away.
I spot Sin in the shadows, his gaze intent on me like it’s been all night.
When I put my bow to the strings, I lose myself. It’s not the heartbreaking turmoil from last night, but I can feel the haunting notes down to my soul. As I always do, I put everything I have into the music.
When I come back to it, Saint is there, hand supporting my violin as I lower it. “You’re gonna wreck every man in this place if you keep playing like that.”
His words are tender and charged, and so is his touch.
I want to know this man. As impossible as that seems right now.
After a beat, one of the men hollers, “Play something the girls can dance to.”
Nodding, I smile up at Saint and put my bow back to the strings, playing a faster rock song that has the girls swaying, giggling, and grinding.
Until cars rumble outside, filling the windows with lights.
Shouts come from outside, and Saint pops me off the bar, handing me over to Sin. “Keep her safe.”
Sin’s hands are on me as he whisks me away.
9
