“Okay, I get it.”
“I’m not done. Inthe past week, we’ve gone from surgeon, beautician, lawyer, hairdresser, designer,and I think one of my favorites was quilting as well.”
Okay, she was fickle.Or maybe she was just lost with nothing and no one to ground her. Ally didn’tknow what she wanted or needed out of life.
She rolled her eyes.“You make it sound like I have no direction.”
“Honey, you don’t.”
“So, I’m undecidedabout how I want to take my future.” She shrugged.
“Have you ever thoughtabout maybe applying for another job and seeing where that takes you?”
“Of course, Ihave, but I don’t want to let Ben down.” Ben was the owner of Riches place, andhe’d given her a chance even though she’d never been a barmaid. Even though shegot the job with a fake ID and he knew it. “It feels a little like I’m notbeing loyal.”
“Please, you are loyal,but he’ll understand that even you want to have a life and do something else. Noteveryone stays in the same job forever. I don’t know why we’re having this discussion.You’re nineteen. We should be fucking our problemsaway until Monday morning.”
“Yeah, you can dothat and not worry about the giant headache you’re going to get, and with work.”
Becky didn’t work.She didn’t need to work. She was rich and her parents supported her. Her best friendwas also five years older than her, and she’d already done a couple of years incollege and hated it.
“Sweetheart, you knowI’d hire you in an instant.”
“I know, but thatdoesn’t feel right. You’re my friend.” She put her hand over Becky’s. “I’llfigure out something else. I don’t know what came over me. I woke up reallyrestless. Like I need to do something or something bad is going to happen. Idon’t know.”
“I think you needto find a good man, one with a nice big dick, and have a little fun. That’swhat I believe.”
“I’ve got to serve.Are you sticking around for a little bit?”
Becky’s cell phonewent off. “Ugh, I was going to stay, but it would appear my presence has beendemanded by those of importance.”
“Your parents?”
“Yes, mydaughterly persona is needed.” Becky leaned over the counter and Ally kissed hercheek. “Good night.”
“Night.”
“And think about whatI said,” Becky said.
“Sorry, I won’t beleaving here tonight with a man.”
“Pity. You couldhave at least done something more interesting. Later.”
Ally waved at her friend.The rest of her evening was uneventful. No fighting. Just serving. Beer, shots,whiskey, some cocktails.
Ben came to joinher toward the end, to hustle out the last of the customers. With the doorsclosed, she stuck around, cleaning up. There were a few broken glasses, which shetold him about.
“Ben, can I askyou something?” Ally asked.
“Sure.”
“Did you ever goto college?”
Ben laughed. “I did.I took business. I never actually passed it though. I was the guy who wasalways at the parties. Some of the cocktails you serve are my own creations. Why?Are you thinking of going?”
“Sometimes. I’mnot really sure what to do with my life.” Her parents hadn’t exactly been inspirationalon her career choices, and she didn’t even know what happened to her mom. Thelast she’d heard, she was living with a junkie downtown.
“Don’t overthink everything.Just find out what you like and go with it. It’s all anyone can do.”
“Says the guy whoowns several bars and clubs across the country.”
“Again, a degreedidn’t get me that. Go on, get out of here. I’ll finish cleaning up. Would youlike me to walk you home?”
“No, I came bycar. I heard it was going to rain tonight. I didn’t want to take any chances.”
“You want me towalk you out to your car?”
“I’m good.” She didn’tlike accepting help. A strength or a flaw, she wasn’t sure. If she got used to Benbeing there for her, it would be impossible for her to imagine going to her carwithout him. She’d been taking care of herself for so long, accepting help wasdifficult. “See you tomorrow night.”
“Night, Ally.”
She grabbed her bagand jacket from the back, letting herself out the delivery entrance, toward theback of the parking lot. Her car was beneath a flickering lamp. It hadn’t been flickeringfor days, and now it suddenly decided it wanted to be on the out.
Shaking her head,she moved toward her car, key at the ready. The alarm was shot, and she didn’twant to waste any cash, so she pressed the key into the lock just as she was leanedagainst the front of the car.
“Ally Prixman, you’re under arrest.”
“Wait, what the hell?”
Her hands were forcedbehind her back, cuffed, and she was pulled toward a police car. One sherecognized as being from her town.
Resisting arrestwas against the law, so she complied. If she did nothing wrong, she’d be okay.Did he know she was working at the bar underage?
Panic consumedher.
She didn’t knowwhat the hell was happening. All she knew was if a cop was arresting her fornothing, it had to do with her father.
What had he donenow?
Chapter Two
Lord sat up in bed.It was fucking two in the morning. The cell phone displaylit up in the darkness. He hadn’t expected this call so soon.
“Don’t tell methere’s a problem already.” Lord ran a hand through his hair and rolled out hisshoulders. He’d been lifting heavy in the gym all afternoon, and his body feltstiff.
“I have her,” saidBobby Joe Ranger. The rat cop’s voice had a musical edge, like he’d just wonthe lottery. “She’s in the back of my cruiser as we speak.”
He twirled a bulleton his nightside table, pleased the plan had come together so smoothly. It seemedtoo good to be true.
“You have Richard’sdaughter? Ally Prixman?”
“Yes, Lord. I haveher, just like I said I would.”
“You woke me from bed,you better not be bullshitting me,” said Lord.
“I swear it’s her.I have her ID and everything.”
He exhaled, lookingat the clock again. “I’m not getting out of bed. Lock her in your trunk for thenight. I’ll meet back at your place first thing in the morning.”
“Whatever youwant. I’ll be ready.”
Lord turned off hisphone and tossed it on the empty side of his bed. It would be hard
