**Disclaimer: All characters are 18+, no underage characters will ever be portrayed in any shape or form in this or any future stories.**
**Eva's point of view**
Stepping out of that dark alley, Eva once again started walking towards the bar now that she was certain she wasn't being followed. The sound of her heels clicking against the hard pavement echoed in the silent night as she hurried towards the neon signed bar.
She walked with purpose, her eyes scanning the dimly lit streets as she tried to shake off the lingering feeling of dread that had clung to her since the earlier incident with the construction worker. Every shadow seemed to hide a potential threat, and even the soft glow of the streetlights seemed menacing despite their reassuring presence. As she neared the bar, she began to breathe a tentative sigh of relief, her heartbeat gradually slowing down.
Suddenly, a loud crash echoed from the direction opposite the bar, startling her. Eva froze, her heart pounding wildly. Was there danger lurking nearby? Or was it simply her heightened awareness due to her encounter with the construction worker? Eva stood there, frozen in fear. Every passing second felt like an eternity as she strained to listen for any additional sounds or movements. A car horn blared in the distance, shaking her out of her trance. She focused her hearing ability and heard two guys arguing about a car crash. Eva sighed another sigh of relief now forcing all paranoia out of her mind. She would go crazy if she started to be scared of all noises around her. Against all her instincts and training she forced herself to ignore her abilities so she could have a peaceful night ahead of her.
As she approached the entrance of Tony's Bar, her pulse accelerated. Her hand trembled slightly as she reached for the handle of the door. Once inside, she scanned the crowd, searching for Jax's menacing figure among the sea of faces. To her surprise, she spotted Mr. Marco from the club instead, standing at the counter with a drink in hand. His gaze darted around the room, his expression anxious and confused. Eva hesitated, unsure whether to greet him or disappear discreetly.
This Italian guy had recently started working at the back of the club and whenever Eva had asked Jax about it he had always avoided going into detail about what he did back there besides telling her he was some sort of expert working for the mob so not to go poking around too much. Eva had only a handful interactions with Mr. Marco but contrary to Jax's portrayal of him; Mr. Marco had seemed to be a nice enough person to her.
Eva hesitated for a moment, her gaze shifting between Marco and the bar counter. As she observed him, he just seemed to mind his own business and kept drinking. Seeing that Jax wasn't at the bar yet meant he was probably late. So deciding to grab a drink to calm herself and somewhat get rid of her paranoia she headed for the bar.
As she made her way through the crowded bar, she noticed the curious glances directed towards her. Eva understood their interest stemmed from her appearance -- her striking red attire and the enticing curve of her body. The low-cut neckline exposed ample cleavage, while the tight midsection hugged her curves snugly, accentuating her hourglass figure. Despite her unease, Eva maintained her poise, taking measured steps as she navigated the maze of patrons. Her eyes settled on the bartender, a middle-aged woman with a friendly demeanor.
As Eva started to walk towards the bartender; she happened to pass by a booth with a group of four men sitting and drinking. She had noticed their eyes on her as well when she had walked in there but just as she passed through she heard one of them let out a low whistle and say "ooooo boy! Look at the tits on this chick!" Eva practically felt all their eyes scanning her chest with their hungry eyes then she heard him go on snickering "What do you reckon? Bet you pencil dicked losers will get lost between that canyon trying to hump those tits! Hah!" Eva felt her cheeks go hot with embarrassment hearing those words which no normal woman would have been able to hear above all the loud music that was playing. Eva rushed away from them before she could hear other guys from that group comment further.
"Hello, darling," the bartender greeted her cheerfully once Eva stood at the bar.
"What can I get for you today?" Eva hesitated, her voice barely audible.
"Umm, just a glass of white wine, please." The bartender nodded, her hands deftly pouring the requested beverage.
Eva sipped the chilled Pinot Grigio, savoring the fruity notes and delicate acidity. It was clearly a cheap wine but Eva didn't complain. Hardly any kind of alcohol affected her enough to cause any issues. The alcohol warmed her insides, offering fleeting comfort amidst the whirlwind of emotions raging within her. She scanned the bar once more, noticing that Mr. Marco remained oblivious to her presence.
With a slight tilt of her head, Eva appraised him covertly. His tanned skin contrasted sharply with his stark white shirt, hinting at his Mediterranean heritage. His salt-and-pepper hair was cropped closely, accentuating his angular features. He appeared distracted, lost in anxious contemplation.
As she nursed her Pinot Grigio, she couldn't help but eavesdrop on his muttered conversation with the bartender.
"Yeah," he mumbled softly, "I've been waiting for quite a while now. He promised to meet me here, but I haven't seen him anywhere."
Eva furrowed her brow, intrigued by Marco's apparent distress. Curiosity piqued, she summoned the courage to approach him. "Excuse me," she ventured gently, "I couldn't help but overhear your conversation. Are you waiting for someone?" Marco startled, turning to regard her with guarded suspicion.
"Yes, I am." Marco replied cautiously, eyeing Eva warily. "But I don't think it's any of your concern."