Chapter 14
Skye’s POV
The glass in my hand trembled, sending amber liquid cascading across the polished bar top.
The expensive bourbon I’d been pouring for one of qur regulars formed a growing puddle that quickly reached the edge and dripped onto the floor.
‘Jesus, Skye!‘ Jessie exclaimed, rushing over with a rag. “You just wasted twenty bucks worth of top–shelf liquor!” She dabbed at the mess while giving me a suspicious sideways glance. ‘What’s got you so spooked? You’ve been jumpy as a jackrabbit all week.”
M forced a smile, taking the rag from her. “Nothing. Just clumsy tonight.”
But my eyes were fixed on the entrance where he had just walked in–the werewolf with the ocean scent.
Only this time, he wasn’t alone. A woman with short black hair walked beside him, her arm casually linked through his as they made their way directly to the bar.
My enhanced senses immediately recognized what she was: another werewolf.
Jessie followed my gaze, her lips curving into a knowing smirk.
“Oh, I see what’s happening. Disappointed Mr. Tall–Dark–and–Delicious has a girlfriend?” She nudged me with her elbow. “Can’t blame you. I’d be crushed too if I had my sights set on him.”
I was indeed shocked, but not for the reasons Jessie imagined.
What were the odds of two werewolves showing up in this tiny desert town?
And why did they seem to be looking directly at me?
The woman was younger than I’d initially thought, maybe mid–twenties. Her black V–neck tank top revea toned arms that spoke of serious training. Her brown jeans hugged athletic legs, and she moved with the fluid grace unique to our kind.
When her eyes locked with mine, I caught a flash of something that looked distinctly like suspicion, perhaps even hostility.
They took seats directly in front of my station, eliminating any chance of escape. I quickly wiped up the spilled bourbon, feigning calm as my mind raced through escape scenarios.
“What can I get you?” I asked, keeping my voice steady.
The woman didn’t answer my question. Instead, she tilted her head slightly, studying me.
“You’re Skye, right? Adrian says you make amazing cocktails.” Her lips curved into a smile. “Make me something you think I’d like.”
I glanced at the man beside her–Adrian. So that was his name.
He’d known mine since his first visit, which meant he’d been asking questions. The realization sent a chill down my spine.
Focusing on the task at hand, I reached for bottles with practiced efficiency, creating a Blood Orange Sour–tart, sweet, with an unexpected kick at the end. I slid the drink across the bar to her.
She took a small sip, then made a show of wrinkling her nose. Turning to Adrian, she stuck out her tongue childishly. “She’s not that impressive after all.”
Adrian’s response was an indulgent smile before he turned those whiskey–colored eyes on me.
“Please forgive my friend’s rudeness. I’ll have another Heartbeat 144, if you don’t mind.”
I mixed his drink, hyperaware of their scrutiny. The woman watched every move I made with unnerving intensity.
1/3
Chapter 14
I’m Nadia, by the way, she finally said, extending her hand across the bar. When I reluctantly took it, she used the contact to pull me slightly closer, rising from her stool to whisper in my ear. “I know what you are. Why would a lone wolf hide in a shithole like this?”
My blood froze. I flicked a glance at Adrian, who sipped his drink with apparent casualness.
So he had recognized me three days ago. He’d known exactly what I was and had come back with reinforcements.
“Why should I tell you anything?” I replied quietly, pulling my hand from her grip.
Nadia’s expression hardened. In one fluid motion that no human could have managed, she planted one hand on the bar top and vaulted over it, landing gracefully in the staff area beside me.
She moved closer, invading my space, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.
“What’s your game? Who sent you here?” Her eyes flashed with suspicion. “Nobody ends up in Boring, Texas by accident.”
I took a step back, my hand instinctively dropping to where I kept Tink–my silver dagger–strapped beneath my apron.
This is employees only. You need to leave.”
Our standoff caught Jessie’s attention. She immediately rushed over, wedging herself between us with protective indignation.
“Hey! Back off!” She gave Nadia a firm shove. “Customers stay on that side of the bar!”
Tension crackled in the air until Adrian’s calm voice cut through it. “Nadia, enough.”
To Jessie, he offered an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry for the disturbance. My friend has had a bit too much to drink. We mean no harm.”
Alpha. I’d been right about his status. My instinct to run intensified.
Adrian laid several bills beneath his glass–I caught a glimpse of two hundred–dollar notes–before standing. “It’s getting late. We should head back.”
Nadia looked reluctant to leave our confrontation unfinished, but after a moment of visible internal stole, she rejoined Adrian on the proper side of the bar. She threw me one last suspicious glance before they walked out together.
As the door swung shut behind them, Jessie snatched up the money Adrian had left, letting out an excited squeal. “Two hundred dollars! For two drinks!” She did a little dance, waving the bills. “Can this guy come every night? Pretty please?”
When I didn’t respond, she stopped her celebration to study my face. “What’s wrong? What was that woman’s problem anyway?”
“Nothing,” I mumbled, busying myself with wiping down the bar.
Jessie wasn’t convinced. She leaned against the counter, arms crossed, eyebrows raised in expectation. “Oh, I get it. She’s totally into that Adrian guy and saw how he was looking at you last time. Classic jealousy.”
If only it were that simple. Two werewolves showing up in this remote town, one of them an Alpha, both of them interested in me–nothing about this was coincidence.
I moved through the rest of my shift mechanically, barely registering the customers or Jessie’s chatter. By closing time, I’d made up my mind. Three years of running had taught me when it was time to move on, Tonight was definitely that time.
After the last patron stumbled out and Jessie’s boyfriend arrived to drive her home, I finished cleaning up alone. I’d talk to Buck tomorrow, make up some family emergency that required me to leave immediately.
I had enough savings to get me to the next town, the next temporary job, the next short–lived sanctuary.
Lost in thought, I walked to my car, keys clutched in my hand. The parking lot behind the bar was deserted and dimly lit, with only a single flickering light illuminating the area.
was so preoccupied with planning my escape that I didn’t notice the presence behind me until strong arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me backward
