Alyssa's Redemption: The Redemption Series, #1

Chapter One

Alyssa slammed her tray down on the bar. She was fed up with being groped, drooled over, and degraded without at least getting a decent tip out of the deal. As she waited for Jake to finish up another drink order, she yanked at the sleazy uniform Marcus forced her to wear, trying to cover herself better. If this were a strip bar, she could understand the outfit, but wearing what amounted to lingerie in a regular bar was ridiculous. The leotard covered most of her breasts and crotch area but had sheer material exposing the rest of her body for the sick patrons to stare at and fantasize about. The fishnet stockings and killer fuck-me heels didn’t help her any.

Whatcha need? Jake asked as he appeared before her, interrupting her thoughts.

Five house beers and five shots of tequila. Jake nodded and got to work. He wasn’t a man of many words but he’d listen whenever she needed to vent. She really liked working with him, she just wished they worked at a nicer establishment.

What’s got you so upset? Jake’s eyes seemed to see through her as he loaded the tray.

Assholes stiffed me again, Alyssa huffed as she slid the money from the table that had just left across to him. Table ten.

He took the money, nodded, and walked over to the register to close out the tab without replying. She gathered the full tray and headed over to the group of partying college guys, cringing inside. Just as she reached the table, one of them groped her ass and squeezed hard enough to cause her to yelp from the pain.

Alyssa quickly set their beers and shots in front of them and left. It was close to last call and closing time, which meant she didn’t have to tolerate this shit much longer before she could go home to relax.

She made a round of the floor, picking up empty bottles and glasses. She returned to the bar just as a tall, stocky man sat down to order a beer—a man who filled out his obviously expensive clothes nicely.

Great timing, I was about to announce last call, Alyssa heard Jake say to the man as he slid a Coors in front of him.

Thanks.

Alyssa froze when she heard the man’s voice. He was sitting two stools down from where she was unloading the empties from her tray and she turned to stare at him, her fears confirmed.

Cameron? Her voice was barely above a whisper, disbelief flooding through it.

His head whipped around, his eyes widened in astonishment. Alyssa? What the hell are you doing here? He set his beer down and stood. His eyes flicked down toward her outfit, and she suddenly had the urge to cover herself, feeling completely exposed in front of him. But before she could even move he took the few steps needed to close the distance between them and folded her up into his arms for a tight hug. Alyssa stiffened but didn’t push him away. She felt nearly frozen with shock at seeing him again, and she fought against the memories that threatened to overwhelm her. It’s been a long time, he said. How are you?

"First of all, I work here. Second of all, how can you even ask me how I am after what happened with Eric? Why are you here?" Alyssa shoved him away and glared at him. Her thoughts swirled and bounced through her head like mini tornadoes.

What are you talking about? The last I heard, you two were happily living together and going to school, practically married already. And I’m here because I just bought this place.

Alyssa’s eyes widened in horror at the thought of working for her ex’s older brother.

"You what?" Alyssa exclaimed as one of the rowdy partiers yelled for another round. Flustered, she turned to Jake and called out a repeat of the previous order of five beers and five shots of tequila, fully intent on ignoring Cameron. He was obviously just messing with her head. Why would Cameron buy a bar, especially this shitty bar? The best thing to do would be just to steer clear of him. The last thing she needed was another one of the Lewis men screwing with her.

Jake quickly loaded the tray, not giving any indication he noticed anything amiss between her and Cameron. She grabbed the tray and began to walk away but Cameron stopped her with a hand on her elbow.

When you’re done, please come back and talk to me.

She shook her head as she pulled her elbow away and headed toward the table. She could feel Cameron’s eyes weighing on her as she handed out each guy’s order. The idiot who’d previously grabbed her ass, gave it a good smack, rousing laughter and cheering from his buddies. Alyssa could feel her cheeks heat from embarrassment, sensing Cameron’s eyes weighing on her as she was thoroughly humiliated.

Do you need another round after this? It’s last call. We’re closing soon, Alyssa informed them after depositing their drinks and stepping out of reach of their wandering hands.

Bring us two more rounds then, one of the guys decided, and the others nodded before throwing back their tequila shots. Internally Alyssa groaned, but she headed back to Jake to place the order. She waited for him to loudly announce last call and then pour the drinks.

Once they were delivered, she made another round of the tables, picking up empties and collecting final orders. She studiously avoided where Cameron was seated at the bar, watching her intently. She was trying to figure out a way to escape without having to talk to him again. She didn’t trust that he wasn’t here to spy on her for Eric. Despite the fact that Cameron was over three years older than Eric, they’d always been incredibly close, even after Cameron quit school and headed off to some mysterious tech job in Washington, DC after his sophomore year of college. Eric idolized his big brother and they’d talked often. She knew that Eric told Cameron everything.

As the customers began to stumble from the bar, Alyssa worked on cleaning the tables and stools. The blitzed group of college guys threw derogatory comments her way but she steadfastly ignored them. It wasn’t worth getting fired over telling them where they could all collectively shove it. She’d worked here three months and had dealt with far worse than these douches were dishing out.

What do you think you’re doing? Marcus demanded as he stormed through the bar to Alyssa’s side. Those are paying customers you’re ignoring. Go attend to their needs.

"I am not a prostitute, Alyssa growled back. They’ve gotten everything they need from me. They placed their final drink order for the night and it’s been delivered. When they’re finished, I’ll collect on their tab, clear their empties, and they can leave."

Look here, you little whore, you need to learn how to follow directions better. Shall we take this back to my office? Marcus’s eyes narrowed on her dangerously. Alyssa shivered under his stare as chills raced down her spine.

What is going on over here? Cameron asked, approaching them.

No—no—nothing. I’ll get right on that, Alyssa stuttered and ducked away from the two men. She approached the table in question and put on the sweetest smile she could muster. Anything else I can get y’all?

Alyssa, Cameron called to her but she ignored him. There was no way she could afford to lose this job. In this economy, there wasn’t anything else available—unless she wanted to reduce her dignity further by stripping for a living.

Well, I’ve got a few ideas . . . Mr. Gropey drawled out as he wiggled his eyebrows at her. He used his index finger to motion her closer. With a sick stomach, she began to take a step toward him when a hand landed on her shoulder. Startled, she looked at it and then upward to meet Cameron’s gaze.

You don’t have to do this. His voice was gentle.

She truly wanted to believe his words but knew better. Nothing good ever happened to any woman who entered Marcus’s office with him.

Leave me alone. You can’t help me. Go tell Eric whatever you’re gonna tell him. Misery filled Alyssa’s voice as she turned her head back to the group of guys, squared her shoulders, and shook off his hand.

Okay, bar’s closed, time for everyone to pay their tabs and head out. Have a good night, folks, Cameron yelled over the noise.

There were several groans, especially from the young guys Alyssa had been approaching, but everyone seemed to respond accordingly. Alyssa jumped when Cameron’s voice boomed and looked over to Marcus to gauge his reaction. The sleaze stood there shooting daggers in their direction, arms crossed, but he didn’t argue. That was definitely odd. As she watched the scene play out, she realized with a sinking feeling that Cameron hadn’t lied. He was the new owner of Spinners.

THERE WAS NO WAY IN hell Cameron could just sit by and watch Alyssa being treated this way without doing something to stop it. He couldn’t believe she was working in this shithole to begin with, but to see Marcus practically order her to prostitute herself for him ate at Cameron’s gut. The absolute worst part was seeing her about to do as she’d been ordered.

Without a second thought, he’d interceded.

His intention when he’d come into Spinners was to see with his own eyes what went down here and decide whether it was worth it to retain ownership and build it up or not. Owning a bar was about as far from his last job as you could get, but Cameron was more than happy to have a little change and leave his old life behind him. Still, never in a million years would he have ever expected that Alyssa, his almost sister-in-law, would be working here, dressed like the hooker Marcus had just tried to force her to become.

You shouldn’t have done that, Alyssa’s voice warned as she stalked over to the bar where Jake stood watching. Cameron noted that Jake was quiet yet observant. If he decided to keep the bar, he definitely wanted Jake working for him.

"What the hell do you think you’re doing? This is still my bar for the next forty-eight hours. Until then, stay the fuck out and don’t interfere in my business," Marcus growled.

When you’re forcing a woman to prostitute herself, you damn well better believe I’m going to step in and stop it. No man has the right to degrade a woman that way, Cameron argued, fury flaring in his eyes. He could feel Alyssa’s stare as he confronted Marcus. Cameron briefly wondered why she was working here, of all places, but the thought was pushed to the back of his mind when Marcus charged toward him. Without a second thought, Cameron swung and connected with Marcus’s jaw, sprawling him out on the dirty floor. Several chairs went toppling over as Marcus bounced off them on his way down.

Two guys burst through the door to the stockroom with the commotion. They must’ve been the guys who took care of stocking and cleaning up after hours. Marcus said they really only came into the bar if there was a fight to be broken up or they were bringing more stock.

"Take this piece of trash out of my bar and leave him where he belongs. I’m Cameron and am taking over ownership a couple of days early. Cameron spoke with such authority that both men scrambled to pull an unconscious Marcus from the floor and drag him toward the rear entrance. He turned toward Alyssa and Jake. Before you guys leave for the night, I’d like to have a meeting to discuss how things will be run here from now on."

Jake simply nodded and went back to wiping down the bar, but Cameron knew he was going to have problems with Alyssa. The look in her eyes told him she couldn’t get far enough away from him fast enough and he wondered why.

Count me out. I’ll find another job. She reached over the bar and pulled out her purse.

Don’t do this. At least hear me out before you decide to quit, Cameron insisted as he walked over, effectively trapping her between the bar, two stools, and himself.

Look, I don’t know what game you and Eric are playing but I have no interest in it. He’s ruined my life once—I’m not sticking around for it to happen again, Alyssa declared and Cameron’s head snapped back in shock.

What do you mean he ruined your life? You two were so in love with each other, I never thought you’d be apart.

Give it a rest. I can’t deal with this shit. I’m trying to pick up the pieces and move on. The turmoil in her eyes nearly broke his heart as she pushed him away.

Why can’t you believe that I have no idea what happened between you and my brother? Cameron turned as she began to walk away from him.

Because I know how close the two of you are. I was stupid once. I learned my lesson the hard way. She pushed her way out of the bar and Cameron was left standing there, feeling hollow and confused.

I’d better go. Maybe we can have the meeting tomorrow? Jake moved from behind the bar as if he were planning on following Alyssa.

Cameron nodded absently as Jake exited without another word.

What the hell happened while I was gone? Cameron wondered as he headed back to the office to begin going through Marcus’s business files and get a jump start on running this place. Without even realizing it, he’d decided to keep the bar.

Chapter Two

Alyssa pushed open the door to her dingy apartment. Slamming and locking it behind her, she dropped her purse and mail onto the table next to the door as she went straight into her bedroom to shower and change out of her work uniform. She stripped as she walked, thinking about the horrid shift she’d just finished.

Deciding to put it all out of her mind and figure everything out later, she headed for the shower. She turned on the water, got the temperature where she wanted it, and climbed in. Letting her mind go blank, she allowed the heat from the water to ease her tense, aching muscles. She stayed in longer than usual, enjoying the heat until it ran out, her small moment of peace in an unpredictable and turbulent life.

Shutting off the water, she toweled dry and slipped on her favorite yoga pants and tank top. After wrapping her hair in the towel, she padded barefoot from the bathroom, through her bedroom, and into the small kitchen for a cup of hot chocolate, which was her favorite before-bed treat.

Once it was made, she took the cup and curled up in her comfy, beat-up recliner to enjoy her nightly indulgence. After seeing Cameron tonight, she couldn’t help but let her mind wander back to bitter memories of her high school sweetheart, who’d not only betrayed her but ripped her heart to shreds while he was at it. She tried to tell herself she was over him, but every time she thought of him, another piece broke itself off from what little was left of her heart. He was the reason she’d ended up where she was now, instead of where she’d planned to be.

She tried to shove the thoughts out of her mind but they wouldn’t leave. The last thing she wanted to do was relive everything Eric had put her through. She hoped he was rotting in hell right at this very moment as she gulped down the rest of her hot chocolate, rose from the recliner, and went to wash out the cup and spoon. The movement helped to ease the memories trying their very best to ambush her.

Out of habit, she dried the cup and spoon, put them where they belonged, and wiped down the counters and the inside of the microwave before turning off the small kitchen light and heading to bed. She prayed she’d be able to get some sleep, but knew that was just wishful thinking. She knew as soon as she turned off the lights, Eric would worm his way back into her mind and it would be another restless night. She’d had entirely too many of those over the last few months.

Crawling under the covers, she turned off the bedside lamp and got as comfortable as she could on the lumpy mattress. As she closed her eyes, sure enough, Eric’s smiling face appeared behind her eyelids. Groaning, she turned the lamp back on and pulled out the old Kindle her parents had gotten her for her twenty-first birthday. She scrolled to one of her favorite romance novels, Patriotic Duty by an indie author named C. J. Pinard, and opened it to where she’d left off. It was going to be a long night, she could tell already.

She did her best to focus on the words in front of her but it was hopeless. She couldn’t concentrate. She turned the kindle off and returned it to the nightstand before climbing out of bed.

What the hell am I gonna do? I can’t afford to quit but I can’t work for Cameron either. She spoke to the empty room, which amplified her loneliness. Eric had taken everything from her.

As she was pacing, her phone vibrated on the nightstand. Looking at her clock, she saw it was 3:13 in the morning. Who would be rude enough to call at this late hour? Removing the phone from the charger, she looked at the screen but didn’t recognize the number listed there. The call went to voicemail as she debated whether or not she should answer it. Shrugging, she was about to toss it on the bed when another call came in from the same number.

Who is this? she demanded after swiping her finger across the screen to accept the call.

Alyssa? It’s Cameron.

Alyssa groaned. How did you get this number?

It’s in your employment file here at Spinners. Cameron didn’t expand on why he was calling at such a late hour, which irritated Alyssa.

Is there a reason for your call? Her limited patience was wearing thin. She wasn’t known for having a whole lot of it to begin with, but being tired, stressed, and emotionally overloaded had her patience fraying even quicker than normal.

I was hoping to convince you not to quit. Cameron’s voice was calm while Alyssa’s insides felt like a battlefield.

"What’s the point in staying? Why can’t you understand that I can’t be associated with anything Eric-related anymore? He destroyed me," Alyssa cried out in frustration as she paced her room even faster than before.

Tell me what happened between the two of you and maybe I’ll understand better, Cameron coaxed, but Alyssa wasn’t falling for it.

If you really don’t know, go ask your brother. I’m sure he’ll tell you one hell of a warped version of events, but you’ll get the idea, anyway. She was glad they were on the phone so he couldn’t see the tears flowing down her cheeks. She’d always liked Cameron, but no one could be trusted, especially him. The last thing she needed right now was for someone else to call her a liar.

Alyssa—

But she cut him off. Look, I’ll be in for my shift tomorrow as scheduled, but only because I can’t afford to lose this job. I need to go. Bye. Alyssa disconnected the call before Cameron could say another word. Quickly shutting the phone off, she placed it back on its charger exactly in the position she’d had it in before.

Unable to sleep, she cleaned. Since her world had collapsed around her and everything had become shaky, keeping her apartment orderly was the only thing she could control. She scrubbed her kitchen, mopped the floor, and dusted the few pictures she’d hung on the cracked and peeling walls. She refolded the gorgeous throw her grandmother had crocheted for her years ago, placing it back on the couch the way it had been before. By the time she was finished, she felt sleepy enough to lie down. It was only a few minutes before she was out, but dawn was already breaking across the horizon.

CAMERON TRIED TO CALL Alyssa back a third time after she’d hung up on him, but it went straight to voicemail. He left her a message telling her to wear comfortable clothes and shoes to work instead of the hideous monstrosity she’d been wearing during her previous shift. He hoped she got the message before coming into work. Just to be sure, he sent her a text too.

Setting the phone down on the desk, he focused on seeing where the bar stood financially. He flipped through pages and pages of numbers that made no logical sense. He did the math and came up with different figures than what the printouts showed. He scratched his head.

Deciding to have a friend of his perform an audit, he set those pages aside and began reviewing the employment records for Alyssa, Jake, Rafael, and Keith. He’d spoken with Rafael and Keith, the two guys from the stockroom, for a few minutes after Alyssa and Jake had departed. He liked them both and hoped they’d choose to continue working for him.

He reviewed it all. How in the world has Marcus gotten away with paying these people so little? he thought to himself. None of them were even making minimum wage. His financial statements read that he was paying them a lot more than any of the copies of their paystubs stated. Nothing was adding up for Cameron, and he slammed his hand on the desk in frustration. What the hell had he gotten himself into? A lot more was going on in this place than met the eye. He was sure that Marcus had intended to have all this paperwork out of here before he came in to officially take ownership.

The door banged open and Marcus stood there, fury radiating from every pore in his body.

Get the fuck out.

Not gonna happen. Care to explain these figures to me? Cameron waved the financial report in the air and watched as Marcus’s look turned from rage to fear.

None of your fucking business. You have no rights here for another day and a half, so get the hell out of my office, Marcus declared, placing his hands on his hips and trying to appear intimidating. It didn’t work. For some reason he had scraps of trash sticking out of various parts of his hair and dangling from his suit jacket. Marcus was drastically overdressed for running a bar of this low caliber.

I’ve taken early control. I don’t give a shit whether you like it or not. You’re gone. Cameron stood, leaned his hands on the desk, and held Marcus’s stare with his own. Unless you explain these numbers to my satisfaction, I’ll be having them audited to find out where all of the extra money went to as well as how you’ve managed to pay your employees significantly less than they deserve.

Those numbers are legitimate. I have no idea what you’re talking about. Marcus crossed his arms and shifted his weight. You can’t take control of something you don’t officially own. I am not a man you want to cross.

"No, I am not a man you want to cross. I have many connections that I won’t hesitate to use to squash you like a bug. Get the fuck out of here before I remove you." Cameron dismissed Marcus with a wave of his hand and resumed his seat behind the desk. He was quite aware that Marcus hovered, watching and evaluating him as he ignored him, continuing to assess the business’s current situation.

"You will regret this," Marcus vowed before turning on his heel and stalking away.

I sincerely doubt it, Cameron called out, letting his voice echo down the empty hall to where Marcus was exiting through the rear door. Marcus’s answering laughter floated back to him and it was one of the most chilling sounds he’d ever heard in his life. No matter what threats Marcus issued, Cameron knew without a doubt that he’d done the right thing by removing that scum from Alyssa’s life.

An image of her lovely face floated into his mind and he was distracted from the work he’d been attempting to accomplish. He pictured her when they were kids and how happy and full of life she’d been, compared with the woman he’d encountered last night. Obviously something devastating had happened between her and Eric. Hell, the fact she’d been driven so far as to work for the likes of Marcus told him all he needed to know. What he couldn’t figure out was why she wouldn’t tell him the details of their fallout.

His mind dwelled on that until rays of sunlight began shining through the slats of the mini blinds covering the windows. He’d worked through the entire night. Deciding he wasn’t going to find the answers he needed in the paperwork before him—or from Alyssa herself anytime soon—he packed everything up and headed back to his house. He’d give her time to learn to trust him again. She’d always been like family to him, and he didn’t give up on his family.

Chapter Three

Alyssa awoke and stared at the alarm clock, trying to process the time. She was due to work in less than an hour. Once that clicked, she threw back the covers, leapt out of bed, and dashed into the kitchen to flip the switch so coffee would begin brewing. She hastily returned to her room and dressed in the trashy outfit she had to wear to work.

She grabbed a steaming hot mug of the lifesaving brew before heading into her bathroom to style her hair and apply her makeup. Thoroughly disgusted with how she looked but knowing Marcus would be pleased with the results, she walked back into the kitchen. Quickly she washed and dried the mug, replacing it in the cupboard. She wished she had time to enjoy another cup as she turned the coffeemaker off.

Grabbing her purse and keys, she hustled through the door and hastily locked it behind her. Her spiked hooker-style heels weren’t at all helpful in getting down the stairs from her third-floor apartment quickly, but she managed to make