Chapter One
"Do they have to do that?"
Freya stood behind the bar, shaking a cocktail shaker. Wendy was on the other side, waiting for said drinks while trying to not be amused at the fact that Freya had barely looked away from Ingrid and Dash all night.
Wendy looked over her shoulder to where Ingrid, Dash, Fredrick and Caroline were talking and laughing at a table. "What?"
"Act all… couple-y."
Wendy laughed, turning back to face Freya. "I thought you weren't jealous?"
"I'm not." Freya rolled her eyes as she poured out the drinks. "I just don't trust him."
"Mmhmm." Wendy nodded, amused.
Freya was about to retaliate when another customer approached the bar. She signaled for her Aunt to wait before serving him.
"What can I get you?"
The man looked to be in his late forties with a receding hairline and unshaven face. He was a big guy, both in stature and in weight, and he looked generally unkempt.
"How 'bout a number?"
Hearing Wendy laugh beside her, Freya tried not to laugh in his face. "Sorry, bud. Not on the menu tonight. How about a beer?"
She had served him a few times throughout the night and each time he had hit on her in one way or another. She poured him a beer and watched as he moved back to where he was sitting before turning back to Wendy.
"You should take him up on it." Wendy smirked, picking up the two drinks. "You two could double-date with Ingrid and Dash."
Wendy winked at her jokingly before heading back to her table where Tommy was waiting for her.
Freya rolled her eyes at her Aunt's behavior and made her way into the back room to grab another bottle of tequila.
Killian looked up from the clipboard he was writing on when Freya entered. "How's it going?"
"Huh?"
Killian smirked knowingly. "You're a terrible actor. You think I haven't noticed the tension between you, your sister and my brother tonight? I don't think you've said more than two words to them since they got here."
"Not true." Freya scoffed, faking her innocence. She grabbed a bottle and went to leave. "I took their order when they got here!"
Killian laughed after her before returning to inventory.
"Hey, honey." Wendy smiled widely as she and Tommy approached the bar. "We're going to head home."
Freya smirked, joking with her. "Correct me if I'm wrong, Wendy, but I could have sworn I haven't seen you at our home in almost a week now."
Tommy laughed from behind her and Wendy tried to hide her smirk. "Yeah…"
"I'll see you later." Freya laughed, leaning over the bar to return Wendy's kiss to her cheek. "Have fun you two!"
"God knows at least one of us should." Freya said under her breath once they had left.
Freya spent the next couple of hours watching Ingrid's table. Whenever Ingrid or Dash approached the bar, Freya would duck into the back room and let Killian handle their order. Fredrick had assured her earlier that they were just hanging out as friends but it looked more like a double date to Freya and she wasn't ready for the ensured awkwardness that would occur. Maybe if she had spent a little less time focusing on Ingrid and Dash, she would have noticed a certain customer watching her all night.
"Enjoy." Freya said as she placed two freshly made drinks on a table.
She picked up a few empty glasses from another table and made her way back to the bar, only to be stopped when she felt a hand on her butt.
"Hey!" Freya yelled, jumping away. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"
The man grabbed her arm and pulled her close despite the fight Freya was putting up. "Been tryin' to talk to ya' all night, darlin'. Bought time you gave me a shot."
Freya dropped the glasses and tried to pull out of his grip but the man pulled her closer and drunkenly forced a kiss to her lips.
"Hey!" The man was pulled off her a second later. "Get off of her!"
Ingrid pulled Freya back protectively as Dash and Fredrick pulled the man off of her.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Fredrick pushed the man back until he was cornered against a table.
It didn't go unnoticed to the rest of the bar and Freya could feel everyone's eyes switching between her and the man. Instinctively, she moved closer to Ingrid.
"Answer me!" Fredrick demanded with Dash close behind him.
Freya knew that they were making a scene and that was the last thing she wanted. "Fredrick, stop."
Dash turned to her but Fredrick kept his attention on the man. Finally, Killian stepped in and approached the group, nodding to the cell phone in his hand. "I've got the cops on the line."
"No, please, don't." Freya pulled out of Ingrid's grasp. She was already embarrassed enough, the last thing she wanted to do was have the police show up and cause a further scene. "Just kick him out?"
Fredrick and Dash exchanged a glance before reluctantly agreeing. They forced the man out the front door. "If you touch my sister again, I will kill you."
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah…" Freya forgot about frustration for a moment and let Ingrid check her over before the redhead wrapped her in a hug. "Yeah, I'm fine."
"Are you sure?" Killian made his way over to her, closely followed by Fredrick, Dash and Caroline.
"Yeah." Freya nodded, despite the fact that her heart was still pounding in her chest. She squeezed Ingrid's hand reassuringly. "I'm good."
"Maybe we should take you home?" Ingrid offered, looking to Dash.
Freya shook her head before he could respond, forcing a smile. "Seriously, guys, I'm fine." She nodded back to the bar. "I have to get back to work."
Ingrid reluctantly let her go and Freya could feel all four of their eyes burning into her back as she bent down to pick up the broken glass. Thankfully, Killian joined her a second later.
"Are you sure you're okay?" He looked concerned as he began to pick up the glass with her. "Your sister could take you home. I can cover tonight."
Freya shook her head and forced a smile. "No, it's okay. I'm fine."
Killian wasn't convinced but let it drop nonetheless. A moment later he stood up, gripping his hand. "Damn it!"
"What happened?" Freya stood up quickly and grabbed his hand as Dash and the rest of the group came over to them.
Killian pulled his hand back and grabbed a towel from behind the bar to wrap it in. "I think I cut it on some glass or something."
"Let me look." Dash took his brother's hand and gently unwrapped the towel, noting how much it was bleeding. "You need stitches."
Killian looked at Freya before responding. He could see she was still visibly shaken and there was no way he was going to leave her there to handle to customers alone.
"It's fine." Killian pulled his hand back and wrapped it tighter. "The bleeding's stopped already."
None of the group looked convinced but Killian didn't leave it open to discussion, despite Dash's protests. He finished picking up the glass and returned to behind the bar with Freya following him.
"You should really get that checked out."
"What?" Killian smirked teasingly. "You doubt my brother's ability to practice medicine?"
Freya smiled at that comment and after another reassuring smile from Killian, she let it go. Killian made his way into the back room and Freya tried to busy herself with serving customers and meaningless tasks for the next couple of hours.
Ingrid had wanted to do more. She had wanted to take Freya home early and make sure that she was truly okay while Dash took Killian to the emergency room. However, both Freya and Killian were incredibly stubborn, and after a few hours, Ingrid tried to convince herself that Freya was okay. Her instincts were shouting at her differently but Freya's forced reassurance and tenacity convinced her otherwise.
"Are you sure you don't want me to take you home?"
Freya rolled her eyes but smiled reassuringly nonetheless. "For the hundredth time, I'm fine."
Ingrid wanted to protest. She knew her sister well enough to know that she was still shaken. However, Dash was standing beside her and it was putting an awkward dampen on their evening.
"If you're sure…?
Freya forced a smile and squeezed her sister's hands over the counter. Despite her feelings about Dash, Freya was happy Ingrid was still her usual, overprotective self. "I am. I promise."
"Okay…" Ingrid finally let it side, frowning with reluctance. "Lunch tomorrow? We'll talk?"
Freya had intended to let the tension between them remain until Ingrid broke things off with Dash but after tonight's events, she could do with a couple of hours of sisterly-bonding. "Sure. Call me?"
Ingrid nodded and squeezed Freya's hands once more before letting go. "I love you."
Freya rolled her eyes but couldn't help but smile. "Love you too."
Freya watched them leave and noted that Dash placed his hand on Ingrid's lower back seconds before they exited. It made her mad, yes, but she didn't feel the same frustration she felt before. All she felt was concern for Ingrid and fear about Dash.
The rest of the night finished up uneventfully. By the early hours of the morning, the customers had all cleared out and Freya and Killian were finishing up. Eva had shown up half an hour earlier but Killian hadn't been ready then. The injury to his hand was making him work at half-speed which was frustrating to both Eva and Freya. All Freya wanted to do was go home, have a shower and crawl into bed.
"You should go home." Freya said to Killian, nodding to where Eva was sitting solo at a table. "Take care of that hand."
"No, Freya, we've still-"
Freya shook her head, smiling. "There's no point in both of us being here. Go."
Eva came over, apparently hearing their conversation, and Killian looked like he was considering it. "Are you sure?"
"Of course." Freya nodded. "I've just got to restock a few things and take the trash out then I'm done. Go home, seriously."
"I should stay."
"It's okay. Honestly." Freya laughed but shook her head. "Believe it or not but before you came back to work here, I actually did closes by myself."
"Come on." Eva spoke up, taking Killian's hurt hand in her own. "We should re-dress that bandage anyway. She'll be fine."
Killian hesitated but eventually gave in. "If you're sure?"
"I am." Freya nodded and smiled. It was sweet of him to stay but she could honestly use the alone time.
Killian grabbed his jacket from behind the counter and swung an arm around Eva's shoulders. "Thanks. I owe you one."
Freya smiled at him and politely said goodbye to Eva before watching them leave. She was honestly glad that they were gone; after tonight, she really didn't need to watch Killian and Eva on top of everything.
Freya set about finishing her tasks. She restocked all the items at the bar and finished off Killian's inventory and orders before making her way to the counter and gathering up the trash bags.
She gathered them all before making her way out the back door to where the trashcans were.
After dumping them, Freya turned back to enter the bar but was stopped when someone stepped in front of her.
"We're closed." Freya smiled politely and tried to make her way back inside but was blocked by the same man from earlier.
"I know, darlin'." The man smiled greedily at her, looking her body over. "I was hopin' you and I could have some fun."
Freya forced a smile, trying to remain polite. "Sorry, bud. Maybe another time."
"I don't think so, hun." The man stepped in front of her again and cornered her between the trashcans and the wall.
"Look…" Freya started, trying to fake confidence. "I've got a guy inside helping me clean up. He's going to come check on me if I don't go back."
"You mean that guy who left you alone for that cute lil' thing?" The man laughed, moving in closer. "Well I could'a sworn they left a while ago… Your not tryin' lie to me, are ya', hunny?"
Freya didn't know what to do. Physically, she couldn't move and her mind was blank when it came to spells. Fear blanketed her.
"My, uh, my sister is on her way to pick me up." She finally tried.
"Good." The man smirked, running a hand up Freya's leg and unbuttoning the buttons to her jeans. "Maybe she'll join us."
Freya shuttered and tried to force herself up further against the wall to escape him. "Please, don't."
The man ignored her begging and slipped a hand down Freya's pants. Freya began to cry but couldn't bring herself to move. It was like she didn't have any power; he was double the size of her and she was crippling in fear.
When the man began to kiss her neck, Freya decided it was the perfect time to try to get away. She kneed him in the groin and was about to get away when the man put his arm to her throat.
He tightened it so she couldn't breathe, clearly angry. Pressing her up against the wall, the man held his arm to her neck and watched as she tried to get away.
Freya couldn't breathe and she fought furiously against the man, scratching and hitting like her life depended on it. To be honest, it did.
She could feel herself growing dizzy and weak, but she could also feel the man's hand running up the inside of her leg. She tried desperately to recall any of the spells she had been taught but was drawing up a blank.
The last thing Freya heard before she passed out was the man whispering in her ear about what a good time they would have, and the feeling of his hands running over her body.
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Ingrid and Dash were making out on his couch, the fireplace burning in the background. The drinks they had consumed throughout the night had given her more confidence than she expected. She wasn't drunk or confident enough, however, when Dash suggested they move it to the bedroom.
"Dash… Stop. I can't." Ingrid pulled back embarrassed and couldn't meet Dash's concerned gaze.
"It's okay." Dash reassured, running a hand up and down her arm comfortingly. The last thing he wanted was to push her.
"No, it's not." Ingrid shook her head, rambling. "I mean, it is. Of course it is. I'm sorry, I want this, I do. I mean, eventually. Or soon. I don't know. It's just- It's Freya. She's barely talking to me as it is and I just don't feel comfortable doing this… without her permission. I mean, we don't need her permission or anything but it's-"
"Ingrid, it's okay." Dash smiled reassuringly, cupping the side of Ingrid's face. "I get it."
"I'm sorry." Ingrid shook her head, still not meeting his gaze.
"It's okay." Dash forced Ingrid to look at him, smiling reassuringly. "I promise."
Ingrid blushed but nodded nonetheless. She couldn't help it; she felt so at ease with Dash after everything they had been through.
"Do you think you could drop me home?" Ingrid asked after a few moments.
"Of course." Dash placed a gentle kiss to her forehead before standing up and offering a hand out to her. "Come on."
Ingrid let herself be led to the car. She was embarrassed, but at the same time, it only made her see Dash more positively. He certainly was a gentleman.
They made easy small talk during the car ride. Ingrid's apartment was on the other side of town to Fairhaven so it was a little bit of a drive.
Dash slowed down as they approached The Bent Elbow, his brow furrowing in confusion. "The lights are still on."
"And Freya's car is still there." Ingrid looked at the bar after Dash suddenly changed the subject. She grabbed her phone out of her bag and dialed Freya's number. "Pull over."
Dash watched her expectantly as Ingrid spoke to the ringing line. "Come on, Freya, pick up, pick up."
Ingrid couldn't help it; something was wrong. "No answer. I need to see if she's still here."
Dash pulled up by the sidewalk and was out of the car almost as quick as Ingrid was. He followed her to the front door of the bar and watched as she grew even more concerned when the place wasn't locked up.
"Freya?" Ingrid made her way into the bar with Dash at her heels. Her phone was redialing Freya's number as she rushed into the back room to check if her sister was there. "Freya?"
Ingrid looked at Dash, concern written all over her face. Dash pulled out his cell and quickly dialed Killian. There conversation was short and consisted only of Dash asking if Freya had been left alone to close the bar.
"She's not here!" Ingrid was clearly panicking after checking out the back room and the restrooms. "And she's not answering her cell. Something isn't right."
"I'm sure she's here somewhere." Dash placed a hand on Ingrid's arm and tried to reassure her but he felt the panic too. "Let's check out back then we'll call your house."
Ingrid led the way as they headed to the back door and made their way into the parking lot. It was empty of cars and Ingrid ran a panicked hand through her hair.
She turned back to face Dash when she spotted a lifeless-Freya lying beside the trash cans.
"Freya!"
