Page 70 of Blood of Vengeance

“Of course.”

His frown told me he didn’t believe me, but that was okay. I wasn’t going to ruin a coffee run with all of us just because some guy had made me uncomfortable. I had Flinch with me this time. He wouldn’t let anyone near me.

Flinch parked in a spot on the road, leaving enough room so Rush could back his bike in sideways up against the front of the truck. Rush came to open my door as Flinch helped Zella down, his eyes going wide when he saw my shoulder.

“What?” I asked, suddenly uncomfortable.

“Nice bite mark.” He grinned and leaned closer. “The brothers at the club are going to have a field day with that.”

I had no idea what he meant, but at that moment, Flinch appeared and grabbed my hand, tugging me into his side as he guided us into the coffee shop. Just like before, the decor felt warm and inviting, if a little on the shabby side. I liked it. Zella apparently did as well because she immediately found a spot on a couch near the front and plopped with her legs folded underneath her.

“This is our kind of place. Right, Lock?”

“Yeah. Absolutely.” I tucked myself into a chair that gave me a good view out the window. “But without the snow falling outside the window.”

She looked around a bit, a small frown forming. “Does anyone else smell roses?”

I nodded, suddenly very aware of the floral scent, mostly because it seemed out of place in a coffee shop. “For sure.”

“Smells like sweet rot to me,” Rush said, looking around. “Though it’s really subtle.”

“I only smell coffee.” Flinch leaned closer, obviously looking over at the menu board. “What can I get you two?”

Zella piped up before I could. “I’ll have an iced cold brew with a splash of almond milk and Lock will have an iced coffee with cream and two pumps of vanilla.” She scrunched her nose my way. “You were here before—it’s still two with their regular size?”

“I assume. I got a cappuccino last time.”

She sat back, eyebrows raised in an exaggerated fashion. “Drinking a big-girl coffee when I’m not around?”

I shrugged. “The prospect who brought me said they had the best espresso. I had to try it.”

“And?”

“It was really good, but I want my regular iced today.”

“Iced it is.” Rush bumped Flinch with his shoulder. “What’re you getting?”

“Cappuccino.”

“On it.” Rush headed for the counter, talking loudly with the barista. Both of them laughing. Rush had a definite charm about him—a way of interacting with people that made others want to join in. Made them feel comfortable enough to share with him. He may have looked like some sort of Special Forces soldier, but he had a way of putting people at ease that I almost envied.

“He’s worked in food service,” Zella said, watching him the same way I had. “He’s got the vibe.”

I nodded, puzzle pieces about the man fitting into place. “Absolutely. Like a waiter or bartender—he knows how to chitchat.”

Eventually, Rush came back with our orders and an espresso for himself, then headed outside. Something about keeping an eye out just in case. His being almost a physical wall between me and anyone watching from the street should have made me feel much more relaxed, but it didn’t. Instead, I felt anxious and exposed. In danger.

“What’s up?” Flinch asked as he leaned forward from where he’d settled. “Why are you stressed?”

Zella looked my way, her brow furrowing.

I shook them both off. “It’s nothing. I’m fine.”

The two exchanged a look that grated against my nerves.

“I said I’m fine.”

“Then you’re fine.” Flinch sat back, sipping his cappuccino as if he didn’t have a care in the world. “What plot are you two going to enact today?”

---