Page 33 of Moon's Promise

She felt the steak sink lower in her throat. She dropped the napkin and clutched her throat, feeling herself turning red … She couldn’t breathe …

“Where are you going?” the woman asked.

“To keep your customer from choking to death.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

Moon didn’t hesitate to rush toward the woman who was choking. He jerked her out of the seat, and his hands went into position for the Heimlich maneuver. At least she was smart enough not to fight him as he applied quick thrusts between her bellybutton and ribcage.

At the third thrusts, the bite of steak she had taken came out to land on her table.

He released her and stepped around her so he could make sure she was breathing freely. “Are you okay?”

The woman shook her head. “I’m all right.” Giving Evie, King, and him embarrassed glances, she sat back down. “Thank you for your help.”

Moon tried to return to his chair, but Evie blocked his way.

“Are you sure? Can I get you anything?”

“I’m fine,” the woman assured her. “Other than dying of embarrassment.”

Evie’s serious expression lightened. “Don’t be. There isn’t anyone in this restaurant who hasn’t been embarrassed at one time or another.” Evie held out her hand. “I’m Evie, and this is my husband, King.”

The woman reached out to take Evie’s hand then took the one King had extended.

“I can see why the pork chop was so important to you, if you react like that to steak.”

Laughter bubbled from the woman at King’s humorous remark. “My mother did warn me to chew each bite twenty times before I swallow. Thankfully, she’s not here, so I don’t have to hear I told you so,” she said wryly. “It’s nice to meet you both. I’m Larissa.”

“It’s nice to meet you, too,” Evie responded smilingly then turned to Moon. “I forgot to introduce you to Moon. He’s a friend of ours.”

Moon extended his hand at the introduction.

Larissa stared at it for several seconds before lifting hers to shake his. No sooner had his palm met hers than she was pulling it away.

The unusual way she shook his hand drew his notice. Until then, he really hadn’t paid any attention to her, his mind too occupied with trying to find out who had slipped into his room the night he got drunk. It wasn’t like there was anything about her that would have diverted his attention. Her brown hair was shoulder-length, her eyes almost the same shade as her hair, and with an average figure, there was nothing about her which would have given him a wow factor.

His interest in her piqued at her unusual behavior, then waned.

“Perhaps we should let her finish her meal before it gets cold,” he suggested. “It’s nice to meet you.” He gave her a nod before he moved around Evie and King to resume his seat at the table. Picking up his knife and fork, he went back to eating his food, his mind once again on who had slipped into his room.

He hadn’t taken Echo’s word that Ember didn’t wear underwear and had gone to her room to check out her drawers. She didn’t own one pair of underwear he could find.

“That was rude,” Evie said as she and King sat back down.

“I saved her life, didn’t I? You expect us to become BFFs now?”

Evie gave him a killing glare. “Lower your voice. Why are you being such an ass?”

Moon sighed then set his fork and knife on the plate. “I didn’t mean to be. I just have something on my mind that’s driving me nuts.”

Evie raised her brows at him. “Anything I can help with?”

“Nope, I’ll figure it out.”

“Let me know. I might not live at the club anymore, but I still count you as a friend.”

“Same.” Moon smiled at Evie, ignoring King’s watchful gaze.

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