Kings of Decay (The Winston Brothers Duet #1)

16. Willow

Chapter sixteen

Willow

T he next night, I pretended as if nothing was different. It wasn't Devil's Night. Halloween did not start at midnight. And, most importantly, I would wear whatever the hell I wanted .

Just to spite the brothers, I wore black sweatpants and a long-sleeved black shirt. They weren't even getting so much as a flash of my ankle.

As expected, the bar was busy with locals dressed in costume. I’d never seen Paydirt so packed before.

"Whew," Todd sighed, setting down a crate of cold beer. "I sure am glad you're working tonight."

For the hundredth time, I wondered how the hell he got by being the only person who worked the night shift.

"Why didn't you have help before, anyway?" I asked while pouring shots.

Todd shrugged. "I don't like dealing with new people. You came along, and you're reliable. Plus, your dad recommended you, and he's a nice guy. Also, you're willing to work for minimum wage."

My face fell, but I quickly covered it up with a smile. I guessed that was as good of an explanation as any. I didn't want to dwell on it too much.

The night flew by as I served drinks and tried to avoid the creepy miners who were already drunk and horny. I couldn't help but glance at the door every time someone new came in. But the brothers never showed up.

Just as I was beginning to think they'd forgotten about me, they arrived. It was nearly one in the morning when the door burst open, and Ainsley and Pearce walked in. They were dressed in all black.

My heart skipped a beat as I tried not to stare.

Ainsley's dark hair was styled in a tousled, messy way, his brown eyes piercing as they scanned the room. Pearce's blond hair was slicked back. His chiseled jawline and broad shoulders made him look like a romance book cover model.

They made their way over to the bar, and I tried to act normal as if I hadn't been waiting for them all night. Wait, why had I been waiting for them? What sick person was I?

I shook my head and ignored them, pretending to straighten the bottles behind me. In the mirror, I could see their reflections, eyes tracking me like animals. The patrons around the glossy wood bar immediately vacated.

"Hey, little mouse," Ainsley said. "Some service, please?"

I bit my lip and took a deep breath. I knew I couldn't back down now.

Todd shifted beside me.

Fucking coward. Everyone here was.

"What do you want?" I said as I turned on my heel and moved towards the sink.

I couldn't let them see how they affected me. I was stronger than that. I walked over to the sink and washed my hands, taking deep breaths to calm my racing heart. I could feel their eyes on me, but I refused to look back.

"Well, well, well," Pearce said, a sinister tone in his voice. "Someone's been practicing their attitude."

I ignored him and continued washing, but I could feel Ainsley move closer to me. His presence was overwhelming, and I couldn't deny the spark of attraction I felt towards him.

"Aren't you going to ask us what we want?" Ainsley stopped at the corner of the bar, leaning over the mahogany.

"What do you want to drink?" I asked with a roll of my eyes.

Darkness flashed across his face. "You'd better reel in this newfound attitude, or else you'll be walking home again."

I couldn't help but shudder.

"What do you want to drink?" I repeated.

"Hmm... Jameson?"

"We're out of Jameson." My voice sounded steady, but my insides were shaking. I refused to let myself be intimidated by them.

Pearce chuckled, and the sinister undertones sent a shiver down my spine. "Well, then, it looks like we need to teach you a little lesson."

Before I could react, Ainsley grabbed my wrist and pulled me towards them. I stumbled as they stepped back, dragging me between their bodies. I was trapped, surrounded by their intoxicating scent and overwhelming presence.

My heart raced as I tried to pull myself free from their grasp, but they only held on tighter.

"What are you doing?" I barely managed to whisper, afraid of what their answer might be.

Pearce's hand came up and traced my jawline with his thumb, sending a wave of conflicting emotions through me. "We're going to teach you some manners, little mouse." His voice was so quiet I could barely hear him over the other patrons.

"If you're out of Jameson," Ainsley injected himself into our space. "What do you recommend?"

"I told you, I don't drink," I struggled to form words as I shivered between them.

"Well, that's no good," Ainsley said as he held onto my shoulders. "Why don't we take you out? There's a house party not far from here. Wouldn't you like to be with people without dirt under their fingernails?" Ainsley continued, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

I shook my head, my eyes wide. "Please, tell me what you want to drink. Let me go."

"You can't dress like a nun at this party, by the way," Pearce added.

"Let me go." Why couldn't my voice get any louder?

"Tell Todd you're leaving early," Ainsley instructed, his voice deadly even. "Now."