Mina’s head swiveled right and left, trying to see as much as she could before she left.
“Bye, Mina,” the bartender yelled and then waved.
She turned and tried to get her hand away from Jon, but he tightened his grip, so she just smiled and mouthed “thank you.”
“What are you thanking him for?”Koa asked tersely.
She was surprised at the way he growled the words.“He was nice and tried to save me from the big Dom.”
Koa nodded.Blake had been the one to call them when she was in trouble, so he nodded his way.They walked through the door and listened to it close behind them.
“Bye, Mina.I’m glad you’re okay,” Grant said.
Mina looked at the guard she’d met in the entry.
“Bye.Thank you for your concern.”
“Are you leaving?”the giant man asked.
She nodded, and then her gaze swung toward the girl at the desk.Koa was surprised when Stacy came around the desk and impulsively hugged Mina.The men released her.
“Thank you for being so nice to me,” Mina whispered and sniffed.
“I wish we could have talked more.”
“Me, too.”
“Would you like to get together for lunch sometime?”Stacy asked.
She smiled and nodded.“I would love that.You have my number on the papers you had me sign.Call me.”
Stacy gave her one last hug.“See you soon.”
Koa shared a look with Jon over their head and smiled.She’d been there a very short time and had already made friends.He reached for Mina’s hand.He was pleased when she instantly grasped his hand and started walking with him toward the front door.
The quiet lull of the night as they walked outside was a stark difference from the music, talking, and groaning in the club.
She stopped on the top step and took a last look around before letting them maneuver her down the steps.She balked when they headed toward a long black limo.
“No, wait.I can’t ride in that,” she shouted.
Both men stopped and watched her look of wonder, excitement, and then mixed with regret.
“Why not?”Koa asked.
“Can’t I just get a taxi?”
Both men shook their heads.
Koa spoke.“No, Macy will make sure you get home safely.”
She took a small step backward.“No, really.I’d feel better about taking a taxi.I don’t want to trouble Macy.It’s after midnight.”
Macy chose that moment to walk around the car to stand at the back door of the limo, waiting to open it for her.Mina’s eyes widened the closer he got.
Koa knew what she was seeing.The man had to be in his late fifties.He was a very large man, over six feet five.He looked like he used to belong in a biker gang, which was pretty close to the truth.He had a bald head with a colorful tattoo on top and snaked down his neck into his dress shirt.He terrified most people, but the warmth of his smile made her smile back and visibly relax, pleasing Koa.
“Macy, we’d like you to meet Mina.”
