In the picturesque town of Leavenworth, Washington, 27-year-old Sofie Bennett leads a life marked by its comforting predictability. As a sweet-natured waitress at The Alpine Tavern-a cozy haven where locals come together for hearty meals and lively...
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The Alpine Tavern hummed with its usual Friday night energy, the air thick with the scent of beer and greasy pub food. Laughter and music filled the space as the band played lively tunes that echoed off the walls. I wiped down the bar for what felt like the hundredth time that evening, my mind racing with the weight of everything happening in Leavenworth. The Iron Brotherhood had cast a long shadow over the town for months. Eddie Muñoz, the charming bartender with a disarming smile, had become increasingly aggressive and unpredictable. Rumors swirled that he was tied to the gang, and I couldn't shake the feeling of danger whenever he was around. The whispers about corrupt cops working alongside the Brotherhood only added to my unease. Every time I glanced around the bar, I felt the tension in the air, as if the whole town was waiting for something to snap.
"Earth to Sofie," Ayana nudged me gently with her elbow, pulling me from my thoughts. "You gonna serve these guys or what?"
I blinked, realizing I'd been lost in my worries. "Sorry," I muttered, turning to the group of men who'd just settled at the bar. As I took their orders, a shiver ran down my spine. Something felt off tonight; the atmosphere buzzed with an undercurrent of danger.
Just as I poured the last beer, the door swung open, and Ethan strode in, his presence commanding immediate attention. As the bouncer for the tavern, he scanned the room with the ease of a protector. When his eyes landed on me, a small smile broke through his serious demeanor. My heart raced as he approached the bar, memories of our previous encounters flooding my mind, making it hard to concentrate on anything else.
"Hey," he said, his voice low and intimate despite the noisy bar.
"Hey yourself," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady as I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "The usual?"
He nodded, and as I turned to pour his whiskey, I felt the weight of his gaze on me. I could almost feel the heat radiating from him, sending an involuntary shiver down my spine. When I handed him his drink, our fingers brushed, and electricity sparked between us.
"How's the night treating you?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Ethan leaned against the bar, his posture relaxed yet alert. "Busy, but nothing I can't handle. Just keeping an eye out for trouble."
