Page 78 of Bad Little Bride

He grins good-heartedly.

“Well, fucking well!” I turn at the agitated voice that suddenly booms, my eyes narrowed, but I’m not the only one.

Bronx leans forward in her seat, and no one misses the way the newcomer stares right down her dress. “You were not invited.”

“Which is exactly why I had to come.” Hayze grins, running his tongue over his lower lip. “Miss me, honey?”

“How did you get past security?” She glares.

“You mean Roberts?” Hayze’s lips could not curve any higher. “Buried something for him a couple nights ago. ’Bout six feet under, if you feel me. He owed me one.”

“Congratulations,” she deadpans. “You just got him fired.”

He sinks his teeth into his lower lip, curling around the back of the chair until his lips are by her ear. “Worth it.”

She rolls her eyes, but I swear she fights a small smirk, even if she does wipe it away before he can spot it.

Hayze looks up at me. “Still got that bullet in my arm.”

“If you’re hoping for a matching one, you could come sit by me.” I smile sweetly.

“Keep smiling at me like that, sweetheart, and I just might.”

Unimpressed, I sit back. “You sold me out.”

He grins. “You foolishly trusted me.”

My eyes narrow but a low laugh escapes, and I tip my chin. “Touché.”

“Wait.” Bronx looks to me with glittering eyes. “You’re the one who shot him?”

“Enzo shot him.”

“For calling her sweetheart,” Hayze adds.

My lips tug up. “You’re actually bragging about it.”

“Fuck yeah. How many have been shot by Enzo Fikile and lived to tell about it.”

We both laugh and damn, it feels nice…and I might smile a little extra wide when Enzo glares this way.

Bronx, of course, deflates. “Well, that’s a lot more boring a story than I thought it was going to be.”

“You can shoot me anytime you want, and we both know how bad you…want,little nightmare,” he damn well purrs.

“I am way too sober for this,” she mumbles, tossing the little pill in her mouth and lifting her hand into the air.

Not ten seconds later, a girl rolls a bar cart over, and drinks start getting poured.

Hayze looks to Nicholas then, cocking his head. “Do I know you?”

Nicholas stands tall. “I was wondering the same thing. Not sure I’ve seen you around.”

“Hmm.” Hayze stares, but turns his back a moment later, focusing all his attention on Bronx instead.

Nicholas frowns but smiles when the cocktail waitress passes him a drink. She hands me a chardonnay and I sit back, facing Nicholas when he turns to me once more.

“So.” He smiles.

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