As the afternoon wore on, the clubhouse began to fill up. I kept busy pouring drinks and chatting with the regulars, all the while hyper-aware of Talon’s presence. He stayed close, leaning against the bar or playing pool nearby, always keeping me in his line of sight.
Around 6 PM, Jake strolled in, looking more rested than he had this morning. He made his way to the bar, a striking woman following closely behind him. She was tall and slender, with sleek brown hair pulled back into a loose bun at the nape of her neck.
Her soft features were sharpened by her no-nonsense expression and the crisp lines of her expensive-looking dark suit, and her bright red stilettos matched her lipstick. She carried herself with an air of authority that commanded respect.
They made their way over to the ba
