~~Young~~

Chapter Thirteen

   “Yeah, it does look an awful lot like you I’ll give you that,” the man rumbled in a baritone that would fit in perfect in hell. Gage was going to have to remember him…

   “That’s because it is me asshole,” Sera spat.

   “Hey now, that’s no way to be talking if you want to get in.”

   She shifted her weight to one leg and crossed her arms over her chest without a word. But that was okay, even from the back Gage understood that one.

   “You got money?” the big guy asked with narrowed eyes.

   “What kind of stupid question is that, why would I come here if I didn’t have any money?”

   Gage had to admit he was taken aback, he had no idea Sera had that much aggression in her. Apathy sure, he had been victim to that one on more than one occasion, but that hostility? He wanted to be impressed, but again it left him questioning which was the real Sera.

   “So you can sip drinks while people’s back are turned, so you can sit at the bar and eat every pretzel there without paying for a damned thing, that’s why you’re here. Don’t think I don’t know you’re kind,” the bouncer paused and looked to the ID, “Maria.”

   Maria?

   “I’ve seen plenty like you before around here,” the man continued on, “you might look cleaner than most, but a woman’s shelter could’ve helped you with that now couldn’t they?”

   With a huff Sera shifted her stance once again and shoved a hand in her front pocket, revealing a wad of crumpled bills to the bouncer.

   “Does that work for you?” she shot at him.

   He nodded reluctantly and handed her ID back over, “but you pay up front you hear me, no running any tabs.”

   Her hooded head bobbed once as she went to move past him, shoving her stash back in her pocket, but she didn’t get one step inside the door before he snapped a hand around her arm.

   “I’ll be keeping my eyes on you got it? And if I hear one word that sounds like you’ve been lifting I’ll have your ass locked up.”

   “Ooo, jail, a soft bed and regular meals, that’s sooo scary,” she mocked him.

   “Did I say anything about getting the authorities involved,” he sneered.

   She simply snorted and tugged her arm out of his grasp, “whatever, like that’s the worst anyone’s ever done to me.”

   Gage had to duck his head to hide under the brim as she turned, looking over her shoulder just to see who was there. He would have much rather just let her see him and take her away, but that Maria bit had him curious to what she was up to.

   A false identity, forged identification, she didn’t need any of that to drink, she was of legal age. It left him wondering if this place was somehow associated with the group causing the problems for the Senator. Of course the bouncer didn’t seem to recognize her, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t a rendezvous point, an arranged meeting spot between her and another. This may just give him the evidence he needed…no, not needed, not anymore. It was just wanted at this point, but if she gave up an associate then at least that would give him something to bring back to the Senator. He was going to want an update too, especially for the absurdly large amount of money he was paying Gage. And that was after the expenses that the Senator was paying for out of pocket, and then there was no price on his old PA’s soul that was now freezing somewhere in hell…