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“I’ll pay you double. And if anyone even looks at you strangely, I’ll smack them with my bat.”

Damn, that was tempting. Double pay, and there’d probably be some good tips if they had a full bar of people, but she just wasn’t sure she could do it. “I don’t think so. It’s not worth it to me.”

“Triple,” he said desperately. “And dinner. And I’ll put you back on the roster whenever you want.”

Right. That would help.

“If anyone touches me or looks at me funny and you don’t take care of it, I’m gone. And I’m never coming back. I walk.”

“You got it. Can you come as soon as possible?”

She got off the phone and turned to look at Ammo. He was frowning at her. “What was that about?”

Oh, so he could still talk.

“I’m going into work at Danny’s Bar tonight. I just need to shower and change.” She headed toward the doorway.

“You’re not going to work there.”

She spun back around to stare at him. “I am, Ammo. I’m going to work there tonight. It’s my choice. You’re welcome to come with me or not. Up to you.”

Turning back, she walked into her bedroom. As soon as the door was shut, she leaned back against it, taking some deep breaths. She was shaky, and she didn’t know where she’d gotten the control to speak to him so calmly, but she’d managed it. She could do this shit on her own.

She didn’t really have much choice after all.

She’d forgotten how tiring it was working here, but at least so far everybody had been respectful. No one had tried to slap her ass or grab her.

The room was packed and it was noisy. Ammo was sitting in one corner of the room, with a drink that he’d barely touched.

She kept feeling these eyes on her, but when she glanced over at him, he wasn’t looking her way.

He still seemed to be deep in thought, and he kept rubbing his chest as though it was hurting him.

For a moment, she was worried that he was having heart problems, but he looked healthy enough.

Before they’d come to the bar, she’d quickly gone and fed the cats so she didn’t have to do it after.

Aimee moved around the bar, checking in with everyone to make sure they had what they needed.

A wave of exhaustion hit her. It was Thursday night and Sunday seemed so far away. She didn’t know how she was going to get up in the morning and head back to work at the Emporium, but she’d figure it out, just like she always figured everything out.

“Can I get you anything?” she asked, walking up to a man sitting in another corner of the room. It was dark and she couldn’t really see much, so she made sure she kept well back. She didn’t know why, but there was just something about this guy that kind of creeped her out.

“I’ll have another whiskey,” he said.

“Sure, I’ll go get that for you.” She scampered off, eager to get as far away from him as she could. It was almost like she could feel his eyes watching her.

That was ridiculous, though. He hadn’t done anything to her. In fact, he’d been nothing but polite.

After she delivered his whiskey, she headed back toward the bar. True to his word, Danny had been keeping an eye on her while pouring drinks.

They really could have used Crystal tonight as well. It was pumping.

The door to the bar opened, and she saw Sheriff Willoughby enter. He was an older guy, skinny arms and legs, his shirt straining over a large pot belly.

He probably should have retired years ago, but he kept getting voted in because people around here didn’t like change.

His chest puffed up as he stared around him, and the bikers gave him a few wary looks, but he didn’t look at them twice. He just wandered over to have a word with Danny behind the bar.