Page 42 of Fate's Unseen Shadow

All three simultaneously raised their eyebrows.

Slater cleared his throat. “You’ve made that point perfectly clear on several occasions. Go for it already.”

“It’s not ethical,” he grumbled, sitting back. And he shouldn’t want to go there with her. Never had with any other victim he’d helped before.

Xavier caved and pushed his beer toward Damon. “Who’s to say what’s ethical? You’re both adults. If she likes you, then that’s her choice. You’re not taking advantage of a grown woman who can clearly make her own decisions. She’s a victim, but not like that.”

Xavier was right.

Damon finished the beer and pushed out of the booth. Sitting and stewing wasn’t his style. “I’m going to apologize.”

“Good.” Slater held up his empty beer glass. “Refill this while you’re at it.”

Instead of worrying about taking advantage of her, he needed to determine whether she was truly interested or if all the flirty back-and-forth over the past few days was her personality.

“What can I get you, boss?” Lacy called as he approached her. “Another round already?”

“Beer for the guys. They were thirsty tonight.” He walked behind the bar and moved to the wall of liquor, needing something heavier than beer. He reached for the high-dollar bourbon kept at the top.

He turned as Ella stepped back into him. She spun around, causing her half empty glass to fly across his shirt. She covered her mouth. “I’m so sorry. What are you doing back here?”

He looked down at the wet mark. “Is this your way of paying me back for being an asshole?”

“No.” She pulled the towel from her back pocket and wiped at the stain. “But you were an asshole.”

“I had good intentions, but it was poorly executed. I’m sorry.”

Ella lifted her chin. “Apology accepted.”

“Are we good?”

She nodded.

Damon poured his bourbon and replaced the bottle. “Good.” He slid his hand along her lower back, two fingers underneath the hem of her cropped shirt and his pinky sliding just inside the waistband of her skirt. “I’d hate to ruin the night because of a well-intended misstep.” He drew her body to his, her gasp doing more for his ego than it should’ve. “And you don’t look cute.”

“I don’t?”

“No. You look fucking hot.”

He dropped his hand, leaving her to figure out her next move as he headed back to the guys. He sat down and relaxed in the booth. “Done.”

“You apologized that quickly?” Slater shook his head. “I didn’t think you even knew the words I’m sorry.”

“I do. I just choose never to say them to you.”

Lacy brought the next round of drinks over, and the guys settled into their usual routine. They alternated business discussions with hearing about the next bail jumper Slater had in his sights. Damon kept the conversation away from Ella. He’d have to face the consequences for pushing the limit later.

“What the hell?” Ryker sat up straight about an hour later. “What is Walker doing in here? How’d he get past Chris?”

Xavier lifted his chin. “I don’t know, but it doesn’t look like he’s here for Lacy tonight. Must’ve heard about Ella already.”

“I see.” Damon couldn’t stand random people staring at her, but for Walker to be there, touching her wrist when she set his drink down, was personal. And it wouldn’t happen again. “I already warned her about him. I don’t know if she’ll know that’s who she’s serving right now.”

Xavier texted into his phone. “I’m giving Chris the heads-up.”

“I can’t stand that bastard,” Slater muttered. “Someday, I’m going to catch him and send his ass to jail.”

“I’m guessing you’re not his favorite person since you’ve tried twice to have the bar shut down.” Damon wrestled with his next move. Go over there and break it up or sit by and let Ella turn him down on her own.

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