Page 25 of Safe and Sound

“Maybe.”

“Spit it out,” I urged with a laugh.

“Okay, fine. I pictured you as an international Flight Attendant.”

“Hmm, why am I not surprised that you picked a service job that’s often sexualized?”

With a grimace, he replied, “Fuck. That’s not what I meant.”

“Sure it wasn’t.”

“Flight Attendants have to be tough. Have you seen some videos of angry passengers before?” he argued.

“Maybe you should stop while you’re ahead,” I suggested with a smile.

I laughed. “That’s probably a good idea.”

“Did you always want to be a club owner?”

“Yes and no. My older brothers, especially the oldest, Callum, are usually the ones making the deals that I end up going along with.”

I eyed him curiously. “You don’t seem like the passive type.”

“Only in business do I defer to them.”

“I don’t see how that could be satisfying for someone like you.”

Shifting somewhat uncomfortably on his steel, Dare protested, “Hey now, we just met.”

“I can’t help calling it like I see it.”

“Well, Killer, that’s all well and good, but you really don’t know me, do you?”

“I don’t have toknowyou toseeyou,” I countered.

“I’ve always heard about Greek fortune tellers. Are you an oracle, Ava?” he teased.

Huffing around the rim of my glass, I replied, “I’m not surprised you’re trying to deflect right now.”

He held up his hands. “Okay, okay. I’m listening. What do you see?”

As I stared intently at him, he once again shifted on his stool. I could only assume not many people, especially women, ever tried to dig deep with him. He could easily hide behind his money and prestige. “Someone who often sacrifices his own happiness for the greater good of his family.”

A myriad of emotions swirled in his eyes, but pain was the most prevalent one. “How could you know that,” he replied in a whisper.

“Because the Greek art of seeing isn’t total bullshit, Mr. Kavanaugh.”

“Do you do readings because I’d really like to know my future?”

She laughed. “No. I’m really absolute shit at it most days.”

“You hit the nail on the head for me.”

“Trust me, I couldn’t even see that my husband was having an affair.”

“Your husband?”

“Ex. As of today.”

---