Dark Truths

Chapter 9

Zack's POV

I jump with fright when someone suddenly taps me on the shoulder.

"Hey boss.." Henry says, shooting me a nervous smile. I sigh, running a hand through my hair. "What?" I mumble, looking around.

I'm a bit on edge after yesterday...just a bit.

"Sorry about yesterday-" "It's fine," I tell him, and he looks up from the ground surprised. After all that happened yesterday, I couldn't care less that he didn't show up to work again. In fact, it's probably best that he didn't. "Fuck off," I tell him after a few seconds go by of him just staring. He quickly walks away

I flinch when I suddenly hear the sound of glass shattering. I look over, seeing an empty beer glass now shattered on the floor. "Shit- Sorry Zack! I'll clean it up, don't worry" Adam, one of the regulars, shouts, sending me a smile before he jogs over and grabs the dustpan and brush.

I close my eyes, taking a deep breath. I need to calm down.

Opening my eyes, I stare down at the bar top. The new, un-chipped bar top. A replica of the one before, only it's missing the damage of being shot at. I glance up at the door. The fixed door. That's back on its hinges and working just as before. The smashed bottles have been replaced with new ones, and the bullet holes in the wall have been fixed somehow.

This is how the bar was when I opened up this afternoon.

They fixed it all overnight. All the damage- gone in a matter of hours. The only proof that it happened is the memories carved into my brain, that have been on replay for hours now.

I feel two hands on either side of my waist, and I jump. "Just me darling" Leo whispers close to my ear, moving close till I feel his chest against my back I let out a breath of relief, relaxing fully and leaning back into him. "Hi," I mumble, basking in the feeling of safety that now comes when I'm with Leo.

"Calm down. I won't let anything happen to you, remember?" He says, and I sigh for the millionth time today. "I know, I'm just...you know" I whisper, and Leo chuckles a bit. "I know. But don't be" He says to me.

I feel his mouth move closer to my ear. "I'll keep you safe Zack. Trust me" He whispers, and my heart somehow is beating faster than it was yesterday in the shooting. I think Leo's only called me by my actual name twice, so now when he uses it, I know he's being serious. His words calm me in a way I don't understand is possible, but I clear my throat, acting as unbothered as I can.

"Whatever," I say, and he chuckles as he uses his hands to spin me around.

Leo is wearing his usual clothes- black dress pants, a white shirt with the top two buttons undone, and the sleeves rolled up to his elbow, showing off some tattoos I can't make out since I refuse to stare and give him something to tease me over.

With his usual small grin on his face, his eyes already staring into mine while his hair looks neat but messy at the same time.

"Have you had a good look, or do you need another minute?" Leo asks, and I roll my eyes. I need to stop boosting his ego.

"Why do you wear a suit? We're at a bar, professionalism is forgotten" I tell him, and he smiles. "I lost a bet," He says shortly, and I wait for him to explain. "I hate wearing suits- my friend knows this. So for three months I must wear the damn things". I chuckle. "And how long till you're free of this truly horrible bet?" I ask, jokingly. "One month," He says, and I hum.

"Maybe I should bring in a dress code, where the staff must wear suits. So I'm not alone in this..truly horrible bet" Leo grins, and I glare. "Don't you dare" I mutter.

He laughs. "I'm serious. If you make me wear a damn tie, I'm quitting. And you'll have a hard time replacing your irreplaceable bartender" I tell him, and he smiles.

"Alright. I'll make you wear a bow tie instead-"

I glare at him, not amused in the slightest while he smiles at me, no doubt thinking this is hilarious.

"You know what, I hope your last month of this bet is uncomfortable and humiliating for you," I say, shoving him back and turning. His hands slip away off my side as I walk away, but my wrist is quickly grabbed. Im spun back around and pulled into his chest, and an arm slips around my lower back while I blink, comprehending the last few seconds.

When I do, I scowl. "You can't just drag me back. Let me go" I demand, but he just smiles. "Anger management classes. That's what you need" Leo tells me, and my mouth drops open.

"Excuse me?" I scowl, in complete disbelief he has the nerve to say that to me.

"I do not need, 'anger management classes', you bitch. You, however, need to listen to a fucking podcast on how to not be an insufferable asshole" I snap, shoving him away again.

I turn around, and instead of being pulled back, Leo steps forward, till his chest is against my back. His hands find my sides again. "Remember how we talked about not taking my jokes so seriously?" Leo whispers directly into my ear, and I tense up while goosebumps form on the back of my neck. "Whatever" I mutter.

He laughs quietly, his breath fanning against my neck as he does, which tickles like hell. I use my amazing self-control to ignore it, however.

"You know, the last time we stood like this we got shot at. Maybe you should step away" I suggest, a desperate attempt to get my heart to calm down. Having him this close drives me crazy, and I fucking hate it.

Leo hums. "I'd rather be shot at again". I roll my eyes, placing my hands on top of his and pulling them away. "I'm going to buy a tazer and start zapping you every time you decide to give me your unwanted touch" I decide, turning around to face him. I cross my arms over my chest, glaring up at him.

"Well, that's an awful waste. Buying a tazer just to never use it" Leo says, and I scoff.

"You think I want you to touch me?" I say in disbelief. "Well, you certainly don't seem too mad when I do" He shrugs, the grin present on his face.

"I do get mad. I just..try not to cause a scene by punching you" I tell him, raising my chin high. "You would never stray away from punching someone just to not 'cause a scene'. Try again" Leo tells me.

"I do get mad just- fuck off!" I scowl, turning my head to the side, and looking out at the bar, filled with people who are laughing and minding their business. I silently pray for someone to come order a drink, to give me an excuse to leave Leo, but it's not that busy on a Monday evening.

"Denial is a cute look on you darling. Almost as cute as your glare" Leo smiles, going to walk past me but stopping just by my side. I look straight ahead, where he was previously standing, while Leo turns his head to the side, looking at me.

"I'll be in my office if you want another hug, okay?" Leo whispers, before walking away. I turn and glare at the back of his head, and I know he senses it. But Leo is truly never bothered by my glare, so he just keeps walking, before disappearing through the door to go back to his office.