Chapter Ten....
Lulu and Johnny entered the Haunted Star and looked around. None of her family were there yet which surprised her. Without looking at him she told Johnny she was going to find out from Ethan where her father was.
"You don't need to make up excuses every time you want to talk to that guy, Lulu."
"That's not what I'm doing. I don't trust the new bartender and if my dad isn't around then I'm going to watch him."
"Whatever," Johnny replied, wanting to be almost anywhere else but in the midst of Lulu's family establishment.
"Are you going to continue this all night? I said I was sorry for interfering and I won't do it again. Can't you just let it go?" Lulu was trying to remain civil but Johnny was challenging her resolve.
"I said I would come here and I did. It just takes me a little longer to shake things off. I'll be fine – you just do what you need to do." Johnny attempted a smile then kissed her on the forehead before walking to one of the tables.
Left on her own, Lulu weaved her way over to the bar and found a vacant seat. Before she even ordered she had a Relax Cupcake presented to her accompanied by a wink and a smile.
"Where's my dad?" she asked him.
"They should be along shortly. Now that I know a little more about your father and Tracy, I've decided not to ask what keeps them." Ethan gave Lulu a saucy look before she turned to survey the room again.
*****
Lucky walked into the casino holding Rebecca's hand. She was quite intrigued by everything and held on a little tighter than she needed in order to stay with him.
"Wow, this place is really hopping. Your dad runs this? I'm impressed."
"Yeah, when he's in town it's busy. I don't know how he does it."
"He travels a lot?"
"My dad has itchy feet and has to be on the move. When he's here it's always a party. When he's on the road it's a ghost town. The stuff of Luke Spencer is all around this place."
Rebecca nodded in acknowledgment and moved with Lucky to the bar. A seat was just opening beside Lulu so Lucky steered Rebecca towards it.
Lulu took one look at her brother and noticed the stitches.
"Oh my god, Lucky, what happened to your head?"
"It's nothing Lulu. Dad's new bartender and I were just having a conversation."
Lulu turned on Ethan and glared. "Don't you ever touch my brother again!"
Ethan put his hands up in surrender, and through his constant grin he assured her he'd learned his lesson. "Don't tangle with the Spencers. I've got it."
"Yeah, well see that you do," Lucky continued the threat.
Rebecca gently put her hand on Lucky's to get his attention. "We came here to enjoy ourselves, remember?"
Lucky nodded, "Yeah... so what do you want to drink?"
"Allow me, Detective Spencer. Here is an Upper Cut for you and an Angel of Mercy for your date here." Ethan placed the two drinks in front of them and backed up slightly, pushing his hair behind his ear.
"What?" Lucky asked in confusion.
"It seems this guy is a great bartender, no matter how shady he is," Lulu started. "He makes up drinks and personalizes them."
"Which reminds me, Ms. Spencer, here is one for your lovely boyfriend." Ethan smiled, although it didn't go to his eyes this time.
"Oh good, I'll take it over to him" Lulu replied and left to find Johnny.
"You make up drinks?" Rebecca asked as she took a sip. Her eyes widened as she looked at Lucky. "This is amazing, what is it?"
"It's your Angel of Mercy. I'm glad you enjoy it. The Upper Cut, I'm sure you will understand, Detective."
"Yeah, I get it. At least you have a sense of humour. So what did you make for Lulu to take to Johnny Zacchara?"
"A Bloody Git."
*****
As Luke entered the Haunted Star he surveyed his domain.
"You seem pleased, Husband."
"Aren't you, Wife? Look at this crowd"
"Look at the bar," she said as she nestled her arm in his.
Turning to watch, Luke saw Ethan serve drinks to Lucky and Rebecca then hand Lulu a drink which she took immediately to Johnny.
"Hmmm, interesting..." he said beside her, and Tracy could feel him calculating the situation.
"So what do you think?"
"I think I really need to get that larger dance floor in here."
"Thanks not what I mean, Husband."
Chuckling Luke lead Tracy over to the bar.
"What will it be Sir?" Ethan asked Luke.
"Do your worst Mr. Lovitt. What do you suggestion?"
Ethan smiled at Luke and Tracy then started to pour their drinks. "Here you are Luke, a Poison Apple just for you."
"What? You don't like life do you, Son." Luke grunted before he downed his drink in one gulp.
"And a fabulous Wicked Stepmother for you, Tracy," Ethan said flirting madly.
Luke was ready to spit fire, but Tracy was thoroughly enthralled. "You do have a way about you, Mr. Lovitt. I think I'll keep you around for a long... long time. We need a man of charm around this establishment.
"Spanky Buns, you don't mean that." Luke whined eliciting a smile.
"Oh, 'Spanky Buns' is it? Now I'm sure I can do something with that." Ethan cooed.
"Don't even think about it," Luke threatened, but Tracy smiled suggestively from one man to the other.
Lucky just sat there amused. Tracy had told him to sit back and watch, and now that he saw it he had no idea why is father thought Tracy was being taken in but Ethan – if anything she was the one who had both men eating out of her hand like lost sheep. Somewhere a stronger sense of admiration for his step-mother grew.
"Tracy, would you like to dance and leave these too to fight it out?" Lucky didn't know where he got the impulse but he was happy he had.
Tracy was quite taken aback but showed no outward sign as she placed her hand in her step-son's and they walked to the dance floor.
"To what do I owe this honour?" she asked.
"I just wanted to say thank you again, if only for having my dad around to fight with. You made that happen and you reminded me today that I do matter to him."
Tracy couldn't speak beyond the lump in her throat so she just nodded her thanks.
"I also want to tell you I watched Dad and Ethan... and you."
"And?"
"And they are both out of their league."
Tracy laughed then hugged Lucky a little closer to her, "I trust you will keep this to yourself."
Lucky nodded his assurance as they continued dancing but before long he stiffened. Looking around she saw what caught his attention. Johnny was once again angry at Lulu.
"I think it's time to interrupt."
"Agreed," Tracy responded.
Lucky grabbed Lulu's arm and pulled her to him while Tracy took Johnny's hand and announced they were cutting in. Lucky proceeded to tell his sister she didn't have to put up with the treatment she had been receiving at the hands of her boyfriend. Lulu was too tired to fight with anyone so she just laid her head on Lucky's shoulder and danced with her big brother.
Tracy and Johnny were a different situation altogether. As soon as Johnny put his arm uncomfortably around Tracy, she hissed in his ear, "If you think your father was a threat to your well being, you are in for a rude awakening. Compared to him I am the devil herself. If you hurt Lulu again I will make sure they can't find all the pieces. I can break you, and don't think I won't do it."
From across the room Luke watched the exchange. "Well, I think Mr. Zacchara has been threatened enough. Best go save his life." He said and placed his glass on the bar before winding his way to his wife's side. Ethan and Rebecca picked up on the situation and watched.
"Are you through here?" he casually asked while looking directly at Johnny.
Tracy smiled menacingly "I think Mr. Zacchara and I have an understanding. Would you care to dance, Husband?"
"I thought you'd never ask, Wife." Together they danced away, moving closer to Lucky who held Lulu in a hug as they moved together. Neither watched as Johnny quietly made his way out of the bar, for they were already too ensconced in the other to care.
Back at the bar Ethan and Rebecca watched the Spencers for awhile as Lulu dried a tear and Luke nibbled on Tracy's ear.
"So what do you think?" Ethan asked.
"I think whoever messes with them is in for a fight." Rebecca looked at him pointedly and nodded.
Ethan took a deep breath and started clearing the bar.