Page 12 of Tortured Souls
“No tears, pumpkin. I’ll see them again one day.” Startled by Mack’s voice, I look up and see him carrying a plate of buffalo wings and a side of fries. I quickly wipe away the tear and place the frame back on his desk. I hadn’t even heard the door open.
“I’m sorry, Mack, I didn’t—” I’m cut off.
“What have I told you about apologizing?” His warm smile makes me smile as well. Placing the food in front of me, he points at it.
“Now eat. You need to get a little more meat on your bones.” I snort out a laugh and stand from his chair, rounding the desk and hugging him once again.
“Now, what’s this for?” he asks me, resting his chin on my head.
“Just needed an extra hug from you, that’s all.” Mack squeezes me a little harder.
“I needed another one too, kid.” We stay like this for a long moment, two broken souls. An unlikely friendship that I thank God for every day. I love Mack, and I know he loves me too. He’s the father figure I never had, and I’m a daughter he lost many, many years ago.
“You know, sometimes I think God sent you to this bar to help mend a broken man’s heart.” I don’t reply. I just nod my head into Mack’s chest. If God sent me to him, then he also sent him to me.
“Now, whatever you’re doing, do you need my help?” he asks me as he steps back and gives me a look of concern.
“I think I can handle it tonight but know that there will be a man here tonight with a girl named Chastity.”
“The other bartender from Vice?” he asks, his head cocking to the side.
“That’s the one.”
“Got it. Is this man someone I need to show to the dumpster or what?” I laugh at his protectiveness and smile atthis reference to the dumpster. Because, unbeknownst to Mack, that’s exactly where Damien will end up tonight.
“I got it all planned out.” I give him a wink. Giving a nod of his head, he leans down and gives me a kiss on my head, before turning and heading towards the door.
“Before you sneak out the back, eat your food and come by again soon when the bar’s closed. We need to catch up. I need to know all the hot gossip from Vice.”
“Will do, Mack,” I say to him and give him a smile as I watch him leave me in his office alone.
Taking a seat back in the chair, I pull the plate of food to me and dig in. Buffalo wings are my favorite, especially the ones Charlie makes. Taking a big bite, I groan as the flavors burst across my taste buds and bring me a sense of happiness. Eating two more wings in quick succession, I keep my eyes on the monitors when a man with a black and white flannel walks through the doors. I freeze.
It’s him.
He’s here.
I wipe my hands on a napkin Mack placed under my plate and lean in closer to the monitor. Damien heads straight to the bar, pulling out a stool and raising a hand towards Mack. I can’t hear what they say, but I watch as Mack grabs a Modelo out of the cooler and flips the cap off before sliding it to Damien. I don’t miss the look Mack gives the camera I’m currently watching. He knows. He knows this is the man I’m here for. Not only is he not a regular to Mack’s, but he’s also sporting a largeHtattoo on his forearm below his rolled-up sleeves. Mack gives the camera a slight nod, and I smile at him as if he can see me too.
Moments later, I see familiar bright blond hair enter through the doors, and I know it’s Chastity. She has no idea who Damien is, or why I asked her to do this for me, but she’s one of my few and closest friends here in town. She agreed instantly. And hereshe is, sexy as hell in tight leather pants, black heels, and a micro tank top that’s pushing her tits so far up her chest I can’t help but stare at them through the camera.
That’s my girl.
Damien turns around, locking eyes on Chastity, and I roll my eyes as he gives her a sleazy smile, his eyes roaming up and over her body.
Dirtbag.
She takes the stool beside Damien as they start the usual first date conversations. I told Chastity the plan for tonight already. She’s going to talk to Damien, get him comfortable and relaxed. After they start feeling cozy, she is going to suggest leaving the bar and bring him out to the parking lot straight to my car. Once they get to my car, she is going to tell him that she left her phone at the bar and head back in.
That’s it. That’s all the obligation she has because the moment she gets back inside, Damien is all mine. I watch the pair chat for the next fifteen minutes, Damien reaching over and sliding his hand up and down Chastity’s leg. I force myself to swallow and not let the bile escape my throat while watching his touchiness with her. I make a mental note to buy her a long spa day for her troubles tonight and continue watching.
She leans into Damien and whispers something into his ear, and that’s my cue to get my ass to the parking lot.
I stand and immediately leave the office, heading down the remainder of the hallway and sneaking out the back door. My car is parked along the side of the building, so I’m able to get to my car before Damien and Chastity even leave the bar. I crouch behind my Mazda and wait.
The faint sounds of Chastity giggling have my muscles tensing. The moment I’ve been waiting for is about to arrive. My revenge against Damien is the one I’ve been planning for thelongest, and I can’t hide my excitement. My nerves and body are buzzing.
“Oh dammit, I left my phone on the bar. Can you wait here for a moment, and I’ll be right back?” Chastity says with her sweetest voice.