Chapter 44
The following days at the bar were a whirlwind of emotions. The regulars noticed a shift in my demeanor, a newfound confidence that even the most stoic of patrons couldn't ignore. The whispers of my inheritance spread like wildfire, casting me in a new light—part fascination, part envy. Yet, I remained steadfast in my resolve to use the money for the bar and the people who had become my family.
One evening, as the final chords of "Burning Down the House" played out, and the last of the patrons stumbled out into the night, Tannin and I sat in the empty bar, the echoes of laughter and clinking glasses slowly fading away. She looked at me with a knowing smile, her eyes reflecting the neon lights that danced across her face.
"You're going to be fine," she said, her voice a gentle reassurance in the quiet. "Torin knew what he was doing."
I nodded, staring into my whiskey, the amber liquid swirling like the thoughts in my head. "But what if this changes everything?"
Tannin reached across the bar and squeezed my hand. "It doesn't have to," she said firmly. "You're still you, Marlowe. A badass bartender with a heart of gold."
Her words were like a balm to my soul, and I couldn't help but smile. "Thanks, Tan."
The weeks passed in a blur of renovations and paperwork. With the inheritance, we transformed the bar into something more than just a place to grab a drink and watch the dancers. We added a stage for live music, a pool table, and even a small kitchen that served up food that was more than just peanuts and pretzels. The atmosphere remained edgy, but there was now a sense of warmth and belonging that extended beyond the neon lights and polished chrome.
But the changes weren't just physical. The night I turned down Lucien's offer had been a line in the sand. Yet, the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I couldn't ignore the pull he had on me. His confidence, his power, the way he moved through the world—it was alluring. And despite my resolve to keep my distance, the whispers of his name grew louder, more persistent.
One night, the bar was hopping, the crowd thick and rowdy. The music was a mix of rock and roll and blues, the kind that made your blood pulse in time with the beat. I felt the heat of a stare, and looking up, I spotted Lucien, watching me from the shadows. Our eyes met, and for a moment, it was just the two of us in the room.
I felt a jolt of excitement, my heart racing like a caged animal. I knew I shouldn't, but I couldn't help it. The air between us was charged, and it was all I could do to keep from walking over to him. But then the music changed, the crowd surged, and he was lost in the sea of faces again.
Tannin looked at me, her eyes knowing. "You can't ignore it forever," she said, her voice barely audible over the din. "You need to decide what you want."
I nodded, my thoughts racing. Was I ready to dance with the devil again? To let the flirtation become something more? The whispers grew louder, the temptation stronger. Maybe it was time to find out what lay in the allure of the Mafia and the promise of a life of excitement and danger. Resolve firming, I stepped out from behind the bar and slowly began to make my way across the room.
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