Page 12 of Malevolent Secrets

“Here alone?” His voice has a rich, velvety timbre that flows and coats my skin like honey. It does things to my belly, things it has no business doing.

“What?” I don’t recognize the soft raspy tone of my voice, I don’t recognize this feeling in my chest. He nods at the drink in my hand.

“It seems like you’re alone. Are you meeting someone here tonight?”

What on earth is that accent? And can I bottle it up and take it home with me?

“I was told to sip my drink and mind my own business,” I say to him instead of replying to his question. I glance over at the bartender, who is eyeing us sidelong.

“I hear it’s very peaceful, minding one’s business. More people should try it.”

He looks at me with something that is not quite a smile but feels very close to it. And maybe it’s the fact that it feels like we’re actually talking about something other than liquor or the way he is standing so close to me.

“May I join you?” he asks, already sliding onto the barstool next to me. I raise my brows at him and press the glass to my flushed cheek.

“Seems you already did.” I smile a little and bring the glass to my lips. His eyes stay on mine as I take another slow sip and swallow.

A drip lands on my lip and I stick my tongue out to lick it off. His eyes follow that movement, and if I thought before that the heat of his gaze locked on mine was intense, the heat of his gaze on my mouth right now is at least ten degrees hotter.

He sits there next to me, his eyes studying me with an intensity that makes me shiver. “I would have remembered if you’d come here before.”

I laugh softly, the sound bitter even to my own ears. “Would you? How’s that?”

He signals to the bartender and she comes over so quickly I'm sure she just got whiplash. She gives me an uneasy look that I'm too drunk to even try to decipher.

He orders another drink for me and slides it to me when she brings it. “Drink this.” It’s not a request but also not a command. I wrap my hand around the glass and stare at the transparent liquid.

“What's this?”

“Something you will enjoy more.”

I hesitate, for a second, and then I take a sip. Pleasure explodes in my mouth so quickly that I can't stop the groan that slips out.

“What the hell is this?” I ask before taking another sip, and he smiles.

“A club special. I'm hoping it'll be enough to lure you into coming back.”

“I’ll be coming back. I have to.” He tilts his head to look at me.

“And why is that?”

“Because I need answers.” The alcohol has loosened my tongue and I lean on my elbow, bringing my face and entire body closer to him.

His eyebrow arches, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. “Answers to what?”

“Someone I cared about died a few weeks ago. I think it has something to do with this place.”

He takes a sip of his own drink, his gaze never leaving mine. “You’ve chosen a dangerous path.”

“Probably, but I don’t really care,” I say, my voice trembling. “I need to know what happened.”

He leans back, studying me with a mix of curiosity and something else I can’t quite place. “You’re brave. Or maybe just reckless.”

“Maybe a bit of both,” I admit, taking another sip of my drink. The alcohol is starting to dull the edges of my fear, making me feel bolder. “But I have to do this.”

He nods slowly, his expression thoughtful. “Sometimes, the truth is more dangerous than the lies.”

“Maybe,” I say, meeting his gaze. “But I need to know.”

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