Page 164 of Black Bird

“A date?” Sarah beamed, grabbing his hand. His chest ached at the sight of that smile.

“Isn’t that what I was supposed to dobeforeI spilled your blood, shot a bitch in the face, broke into your apartment, and put you in handcuffs?” He gave her a mocking grin.

“I mean, I can’t argue with you.” She shrugged. “What’s a girl gotta do for a first date? Give you a heartbeat, steal your cigarettes, dance on a pole … fuck your service weapon?”

Athan bit his lip and shook his head, turning left at the next light. “Do you have any idea how hard it was giving that gun up, earlier? After everything I’d just told him, that was all I could think about …shit.”

“Do you think he’ll tell anyone what he knows?” she asked.

“I’m not sure. I didn’t get that feeling from him. He made it sound like this was temporary, but who knows?”

“You’re not worried?”

Athan quieted for a moment, considering it. For what it was worth, he couldn’t see Foley doing that to either one of them. Then, on the other hand, sometimes you don’t really know people as well as one would like to believe. He’d lived long enough to know better. “Maybe a little … but something in my gut tells me I shouldn’t be.”

“What would happen if he did?”

“The coven’s been discovered before. She’d move us again.” He tried his best to keep his tone from sounding disgusted. After the morning they’d had, this little bit of normalcy needed to last longer.

“Well, that shit’s not gonna happen. The only one moving you anywhere is gonna be me. You understand?”

Athan cracked a side smile. “Yes,Your Majesty.”

Sarah’s eyes narrowed and she whistled. “Oooo, doesn’t it sound good?”

He lowered his eyes to the dip between her thighs. “Sure does.” His hand slid up closer to it.

“Ha!” Sarah laughed. “If that’s your idea for lunch, you better feedmefirst.” He glanced at her and smirked as he reached for his belt buckle. “Oh, good God … you idiot,” Sarah scoffed, sliding his hand back towards her knee.

Athan pulled into an Irish pub and parked around the side, away from the door. “I’ve passed by this place for years, wishing I could try their food. Probably the closest thing I’ll get to authentic … and they have the best whiskey. If I’m out of a job for now, and we’re not hiding out anymore … might as well enjoy it.”

“I’m excited!” Sarah clapped her hands and bounced in her seat.

“Shall we then?” He slid out, coming around and opening the door for her before helping her out of the car, and offering his arm.

“I dunno what to do with this gentlemanly side of Athan Kane.” Sarah took his elbow, and he led her around the building.

“If you want, I can make you cry later.”

She looked up and her eyes went sultry. “I love it when you speak asshole to me.”

“You find them?”

“Yeah, they just walked into McClellan’s.”

“And Brent?”

“I followed him all the way to the children’s hospital. I’m guessing he’s there to visit that kid. Should I go back?”

“No, stay on ‘em. Call me when things get interesting.”

“Yes, sir.”

“And Gretchen?”

“Yeah?”

“You blow it, you already know what happens. Don’t get caught.”

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