Page 84 of Code Violation

“How about you pay for my first beer and leave me and my ex-girlfriend alone?” Kane grunts to Mason.

Mason’s brows pull together, and I subtly nod at him. I’m not sure how much he knows about Kane, but I’m certain he can pick up on the hostile vibes.

Even so, there’s not much Mason can do. It’s not like he can call Silas since he isn’t supposed to be in Riley’s.

“Everything’s fine,” I reassure the Rogues defenseman when he still doesn’t move from his stool.

Mason points to a booth around twenty feet behind him. “I’ll be over there if you need me.”

It’s amazing how bullies and abusers like Kane shrink into their shell when they’re surrounded by potential witnesses to their behavior and the person they planned on intimidating doesn’t acknowledge them once.

Sitting in the staff room after one of the hardest shifts I’ve had at Riley’s, I silently congratulate myself for deflecting Kane’s attempts to engage me in conversation as I actively went about serving customers until he finally took the hint and left fifteen minutes later.

If there’s one thing narcissists hate, it’s being ignored. And like the snake he is, Kane slithered his way out of the door with a sour look etched into his features.

Vesper Stone: one. Kane Giles: zero.

Wearing a satisfied grin, I finally build up the energy to stand and make my way home when Julian appears in the doorway.

He thumbs behind him in the general direction of the bar. “Okay, the register is emptied, and I’ve restocked the refrigerators, ready for tomorrow.”

Offering him a warm smile, I grab my black jacket from one of the hooks lining the left wall and slip it on, my exhausted fingers moving slower than normal as I start doing up the buttons.

“You did a really great job tonight; we were way busier than predicted, even for a December evening,” I praise the newest member on my team.

Julian smiles at the compliment, his delight reaching his brown eyes as he pulls a tie from his ponytail and lets his dark hair fall around his shoulders. “Were you talking to Mason James earlier?”

The hairs on the back of my neck rise. I knew he’d be recognized by someone, and I hope that it was only by Julian. “Yeah,” I simply reply. “Mason is a good guy.”

Julian drums his fingers against the doorjamb, deep in thought. “The news outlets were reporting he’d not traveled with the team due to sickness.”

I hold up a hand, ready to deliver an important lesson when it comes to the hospitality industry. “One thing to remember about bartending, Julian: Whatever you witness while on shift remains on shift, if you catch my drift. We see a snippet of someone’s life from behind that bar, and it’s not our place to judge or pass comment, unless we’re concerned for someone’s safety or by their behavior.”

He pushes off the jamb, tapping the side of his nose. “You’re right, and I won’t be saying anything to anyone. I value my job too much. Are you okay to close up tonight?”

I suppress a yawn and nod, relieved on Mason’s behalf that Julian understands discretion. “Yeah, I need to check over the inventory before I leave anyway.”

“Cool, thanks.” He gives me a wave and disappears, the front door closing a few seconds later.

Grabbing my scarf from the back of a chair, I wrap it around my neck and pull my earmuffs on. It’s cold as hell in Seattle, and at past one a.m., I know I’ll be waiting a while for a bus.

Another door closes, and my head whips toward the bar area. Since I’m in the staff room, I can’t see who entered the building, but a familiar feeling of dread tingles in my extremities.

Calling Julian’s name, I exit the staff room and go down the darkened hallway, pushing through the single swing door and into the bar area.

“Now I understand why you wouldn’t even acknowledge me.”

All my worst nightmares come true when I look right and find Kane standing at the bar with my purse sitting next to him.

Dressed in the black coat and jeans he was wearing earlier, he keeps his back to me and his head bowed.

“Kane, you shouldn’t be here,” I warn, trying my best to inject a firmness into a trembling voice.

Stoke the flames, Ves.

You’re fire.

“Did you hear me?” I bite out as I walk toward him, yet he still doesn’t turn around to face me.