Page 25 of His Retribution

She trained me for the first half hour of my shift but didn't feel the need to stay any longer than that because all she really had to show me was their POS system and how to check my schedule. Everything else was second nature since I've tended bar before.

I met Bill tonight, and his wife Carol.

Met a lot of people actually.

Kady—of Krazy Kady's—came in with her husband, Jack. They then introduced me to the Caldwell's, as well as the chief of police and fire chief. Janet Spruce came in with her husband, Hank Timmons, who is Posey's dad, and they chatted me up at the counter for about an hour.

That's when the man at the end of the bar came in.

He exchanged pleasantries with Hank, several other people too, then planted on a stool and has been there ever since.

That was almost four hours ago.

He's only had one beer, one shot, and about six bowls of pretzels.

If I can find the courage to make the suggestion, I might talk to Bill about keeping the kitchen open for appetizers or something, until maybe an hour before closing. Just on big bar nights. Nothing too crazy. Hell, I'll even run the kitchen and still help at the bar if he wants. It would bring in quite a bit of revenue and frankly, after watching that man eat so many damn pretzels, my mouth is dry and my stomach is still rumbling on his behalf.

He hasn't said much, just continues watching the game on TV, eating more snacks, and politely asks for water. But he keeps staring at me in between, and though it should probably freak me out or piss me off, it doesn't.

It actually makes me feel safe.

He totally shouldn't though. Not with the military cut and scars on his face. His black eyes, stoic expression, and big body. No, that man should make me feel like he'll squash me like a bug and wipe my guts on the pavement, but he just doesn't at all.

I watch Casey set her tray on the counter and hop on the stool next to him, a warm smile on her face as they quietly chat.

I'm pretty sure he's her brother-in-law.

Can't be positive, but he shares a lot of the same features as her husband, Milos, and Posey's husband, Kai.

I don't want to be presumptuous, but I don't imagine there are many men around here that share the same gigantic stature and hard, unique features. If they aren't brothers then they have to be cousins.

I go back to emptying out the ice chest, dumping what's left in the sink behind me so I can clean and sanitize it before we go home. There's only about forty minutes left until closing and then another thirty for clean-up, but we already announced last call so I'm good to keep doing what I'm doing.

Until Casey practically screams my name and has me sending ice cubes all over the floor.

"Damnit," I grumble. Now I gotta sweep it all toward the drain so the floor doesn't flood.

Casey giggles. "Sorry!" Then she leans over the bar. "Gypsy girl, come here a minute!"

I look up from the broom with a frown, shake it, then go back to sweeping.

"Gypsy, Come on! I want you to meet someone!"

Ugh.

I don't want to meet someone.

I don't want to meet anyone.

I want to do my job and go home so I can put my tips in my cigar box that doubles as my bank, then work on my truck until I inevitably pass out from exhaustion.

If I meet someone then I will most likely want to be friends with them because that is exactly what happened with every other person I've met tonight, and that isn't allowed.

But I'm not a rude asshole either, no matter how much I wish I were.

I lean the broom against the wall, then wipe off my hands on my little apron as I head their way.

Casey leans over the bar and grabs my wrist to tug me closer. "Gypsy, this is my brother-in-law, Andrej."