Page 24 of The Shadows We Keep

“Let me see your phone?” I request.

She pulls it quickly from her pocket while the cab idles at the curb.

It’s unlocked. I pull up her call screen and type in my phone number, pressing call. My phone vibrates twice in my pocket before I end the call and hand it back to her. “Save it. Text me next time you’re headed out to see something. I want to be amazed.” I drop a quick kiss to her cheek, the heat from her skin searing my lips.

She opens the cab’s door, sliding in quickly. I knock against the front window, motioning for the driver to roll it down. I hand over the fare for her ride and note the cabby’s name and cab number, memorizing it. The look I give him ensures he’ll know better than to try anything with my girl.

Two taps on the roof and they’re pulling away. The last glimpse I see is Keira, face lit from her phone’s screen. Two seconds later, my phone vibrates again. Drawing it from my back pocket, I look down at the text from an unknown number.

You have no idea what you just did. ;)

Her shy, anxious demeanor seems to melts away as soon as she’s away from me and behind a screen.

TWELVE

KEIRA

Better – Emma Remelle

The bouncer scans my ID, not looking twice to make sure I match the picture it displays before he hands it back and nods me inside. The band isn’t playing yet, but music roars from speakers lining the small stage at the front of the grimy bar. Gypsy’s is one of the last places around here that hasn’t sold out to attract a certain crowd into their doors. They’ve stayed true to what they do, cheap, standard booze and good live music.

I scan the mass of people filling the tiny space, but my eyes don’t land on anyone I know. I push my way through to the bar. An older guy with a bald head and leather vest wipes water spots off glasses before stacking them against the wall behind the bar. A younger kid with the same dark eyes and thin lips meets me as I step up to order.

“What can I get you, sweets?” He taps in front of me.

“Is there a John that works here?” His eyes narrow and they search my face.

“Who wants to know?”

“Just a friend of Harkin’s. He told me to tell him something.”

A sly smile tips his lips. Giving away exactly what my gut was already telling me.

Who does this kid think he’s fooling?

“Oh yeah, and what’s that?”

My brain freezes. It’s not like I can just flat out tell him what Harkin said to me. He’ll think I’m looking for free drinks. Not that I would turn them down, but I’m not expecting it.

“Just that he might stop by tonight is all,” I finally get out.

“You want something or not?” His flirtation from earlier gone.

“Whiskey.”

The short glass is placed in front of me, the dark amber liquid sloshing against the sides as he pours two fingers. I drop a ten on the bar and snatch up my drink, downing half the glass. A harsh slap against my ass jolts me forward, the sting spreads down my thigh. I spin around so fast the whiskey meshes with the movement, whirling my head as my anger heightens at the assault. But I should have known.

Flowing blonde hair and a wicked smile greet me. “You dumb bitch.” I chuckle. “I almost swung at you.”

“You would have hit me right in the tit from your vantage point.” We both bust up laughing at the truth. Her natural height, plus the stiletto boots she’s sporting, just exaggerate our height difference, especially since I’m wearing proper foot attire in a place like this, converse.

“What are we drinking?”

“Whiskey.” Her nose scrunches up at my drink of choice. “Well, I never said you had to drink it you fool.”

Spinning back around, her arms drape over my shoulders and her chin digs into the top of my head.

“Hey John,” I shout down the bar, and his head whips in my direction. I smirk at my victory.

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