Almost as soon as I step outside, that creepy crawling feeling hits me again. It’s been hanging around all week, setting in randomly and suddenly, and I can’t help but do my usual look around at what the fuck could be making my skin prickle like this.

As usual, there’s no one here.

Colin going missing has me paranoid.

Ignoring my car, I cross the courtyard, where two of our bar staff are sharing a vape, and let myself out into the street behind our building.

Rev is only a few blocks away, and where they have specifically targeted a demographic who listen to rage music, doesn’t mind fighting, and the drug trade in there is high, we went in the complete other direction. Latest hits, drug checks at the door, and a zero tolerance for violence. We’ve started out strong on both the drugs and the fighting and already given out bans so people know we’re serious.

Saint Clare’s and Rev couldn’t be any more different, and there are more than enough customers to go around.

Their issues with us can’t be that we’re competition.

I leave the through road and walk along the busy street, that feeling of being watched even heavier out here. Every few steps, I can’t stop from looking around, but the restaurants and theaters in this part of town make it hard to spot anything out of the usual, as everything is wild and strange and fun.

It’s one of the reasons we were so set on opening in this part of town. The lease wasn’t cheap, but Colin knew it was worth it.

A passing woman shrieks, making me jump, but the friends with her break into answering laughter. Fuck me, I’m on edge. This isn’t normal.

When I get to Rev, as usual, the line is stretched out down the street, and the surly bouncer at the door is giving people the stink eye. We have Onyx on door duty, and they’re the most bubbly, flamboyant ex-MMA fighter I’ve ever met. Colin and I loved them instantly.

Our brand is welcoming. Rev’s is intimidation.

So. Fucking. Different.

Would they really take my brother over a little territory dispute when they’re not suffering?

Really?

Instead of heading to the front door to make a scene, I duck down the alley to the left. Like our place, this one leads around the back to the employee entrance. I can ask one of their staff to let Yanni know that I’m looking for him then we can have this out without strangers witnessing our business.

But before I can get there, I slow my footsteps, and the doubt comes back to me. What if it wasn’t them?