Dannika Dark - Six Months

Crap. He worked here.

Denver leaned on his forearms, which made his biceps firm up. Black sleeveless shirts seemed to be the dress code in this bar for all employees. The logo on the breast was a wolf howling inside a moon with the bar name “Howlers” written below it.

“I need a whiskey neat, a martini, and something strong .”

“I just bet,” he said, eyes sliding to the table where my party sat.

“Are you going to be a dick or give me a drink?”

“How about both?”

“What’s between Reno and me is between Reno and me.”

“Doesn’t seem to be much between you two these days but distance. Now why is that?”

My heart began to race with anger. “Fine,” I said softly. “I get it. I’m obviously not up to your standards, being that I’m just a human trespassing in your world. Reno’s better off without me.”

“So you can be owned by that asshole?” He pointed to the table. “You seriously want to stand here and pretend like I’m not offended that you left a man like Reno for a douchebag who takes in pets? You’d rather be another man’s pet than date my brother,” he said through clenched teeth.

I grabbed his finger and pushed his hand on the table. “Don’t point your finger at him. You have no idea how dangerous that man is.”

Denver drew in a sharp breath as he stood up straight and went to fix my drinks.

My thoughts drifted back to Trevor. We’d exchanged e-mails over the past few weeks, but he was upset with me, and the replies were always short. Since he didn’t want to admit he was a Shifter, I didn’t divulge the details of my living situation. But I had a feeling he might have figured it out.

To my knowledge, Reno knew nothing about Maddox. We hadn’t spoken since the night I left, and I’d never forget the look on his face as I walked out the door. I tried to erase it from my memory, but it burned in my heart like a brand, marking me. I had no doubt Reno had moved on with his life—a man like him could have any girl he wanted. He’d never gotten over that woman who left him for another man, and that’s what hardened his heart. It sure toughened mine when my ex made it clear that I wasn’t enough of a woman for him.

“Here you are,” Denver said. “Whiskey, martini, and a Devil’s Eye.”

I warily looked at the red liquid. “Devil’s Eye? What’s in it?”

“Sin.”

I quickly downed the shot and immediately shivered. A rush of heat moved through my body and suddenly, everything became sharp and vivid.

“You’re a bag of nuts,” he said. “Better make that your only drink tonight. Most people barely survive one, and I’ve never given it to a human before.”

“Super.” I smiled and gathered up the two drinks, then sauntered back to the table.

Yeah. I sauntered. Suddenly it felt good to loosen up and enjoy myself. I was a young woman who had spent too many years trying to be the responsible one. I avoided having fun because I didn’t feel like I deserved it. Who thinks that way at twenty-three?

“Here you are, boys.” I slid the drinks on the table and plopped down in my chair. My face felt like warm cinnamon and my tongue tasted cherries. Whatever was in that drink was like nothing I’d ever experienced.

“Honey, you okay?” Maddox whispered, eyes brimming with concern.

Randall grinned wolfishly and reached for his glass. “Looks like that one’s had her first taste of Devil’s Eye. You can always tell by the red rim around the irises. Better keep an eye on her; they don’t call it Devil’s Eye for nothing. I’ve seen a few bar fights break out because of it. Last Thursday, a Packmaster got a little too frisky in the back room with a woman who wasn’t his mate, not to mention his Breed,” he said with a hard laugh. “That shit is bad news.”

Maddox swung his attention back to Randall and leaned in privately. “Have you heard of a man named Delgado? He’s been a thorn in my side for the last ten years.”

“Breed?”

“No. Human. He’s cutting in on my action and not running his deals smoothly. There was an incident a month ago where one of his men went rogue.”

“What business did you have with him before?”

“None,” Maddox said coolly, and I listened out of vague curiosity. “He’s expanded and now I hear he’s dealing drugs and bought a few strip clubs.”

“So? Not my problem.”

“ Breed strip clubs.”

Randall leaned in, his head shining beneath the lamp. “We don’t sell to humans.”

“Someone got paid a shitload of money and skipped town. That now makes Delgado our problem.”

“Is that why I’m here?” Randall sipped his martini and looked at his watch. “Or did you just miss my handsome face?”

“No,” Maddox said, leaning back and putting his hat on the table. “That’s a sidebar. I got a Shifter who’s been asking questions about me and sticking his nose in my personal affairs. He’s a wolf, and you know I don’t like to get tangled up with packs. He laid out a not so subtle threat and wants information on one of my old clients. Since you’re my partner, this involves you too.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m going to mingle,” I said, kicking back my chair.

Maddox caught my wrist. “Maybe you should sit.”

“I want to put some music on, and they have a jukebox in the back. Let your pet take a walk.”

“Whoa!” Randall exclaimed with a boisterous laugh. “Looks like you got this one nipping at your heels there, Maddox.”

“Don’t wander far,” Maddox said, giving me a curt nod.

I couldn’t hate him. As much as I tried, he was good to me. I’d never felt controlled or bossed around by him, and his assertive behavior was derived from concern. That much I could see in his grey eyes.

I touched his shoulder and walked down the length of the bar toward the jukebox—a popular music player that most of the Breed bars had. There was something nostalgic about them, and this one was free.

I leaned over the machine and began my search.

“Hot damn.” Someone hissed from behind.

I peered over my shoulder to get a look at him. “Take a picture; it’ll last longer.”

His eyes widened and he stalked in my direction, his flannel shirt and bushy sideburns a dubious fashion statement.

Great going, April! Your mom would be proud , my inner voice said with derision.

“I’m Stu, and you were just about to give me your number,” he declared, leaning next to me on the jukebox.

“Sure thing!” I exclaimed, twisting around to face him. “It’s right here.” I pointed at my choker. “Sorry, you got a busy signal. Try again later.”

A sexy smirk slid up his cheek. “Human, huh? Interesting. Never been with one, but you seem just as feisty as any of these other Shifters.”

I frowned a little, wiping a strand of hair away from my face. “I don’t think you get it. I can’t talk to you.”

He slowly bit his bottom lip and held it that way for a minute, looking down the length of my body in a way that made me turn back and review the song selections again. Shifter men were persistent, but this guy was just an asshole.

Stu leaned in close. “Feel like being a bad girl and breaking a few rules? He’ll never find out.”

I pushed a button and loud murmurs were drowned out by the classic “Who Made Who?” I turned around and leaned on my elbows, scoping out the room. I almost slid off the jukebox at what happened next.

On the first beat of the song, the main door swung open and Reno Cole walked in.

A black leather jacket hugged his body, unzipped so I could see a charcoal-colored shirt beneath. His jeans fit him in a way that should have been rated S for sexy, and his polished motorcycle boots looked ready to kick some ass. His brown hair was neatly groomed and the lines in his jaw looked fierce, even from across the room.