Page 68 of Shaken Knot Stirred

Moxie lined up ingredients on the bar, then used a metal chopstick to twist up her hair into a bun. It was like she was creating an intimate space just for the three of us. She put a few fat cubes of ice into a stemless champagne flute on a napkin in front of me. With a flick of her wrist, she emptied a jigger of tequila into the glass. I shivered, remembering what she’d felt like on my fingers last night, when she rolled a fresh lime underher palm to release its juice. She squeezed every last drop into the glass. A can of imported grapefruit soda snapped and fizzed as she opened it. She was momentarily lost in concentration, tapping her finger on the bar.

An idea lit through her. “Hey, do you have salt?” Ella blinked like it was the most absurd thing she had ever heard and slid a shaker down the bar. It was one of those tiny cut crystal ones that we put out when clients ordered gourmet burgers from the kitchen. She gave a frustrated grunt when she couldn’t get the top off. Nico, without a word, plucked it from her, and a second later, returned it without its cap. She shook some into her palm and then pinched a sprinkle into the glass. Not satisfied, she pinched some more in.

She then filled the glass with the soda and spun the ice inside with the bar spoon. Finally, she picked up the fresh grapefruit and cut a strip of the rind off with a bar knife and gently squeezed it over the glass.

“For you,” Moxie said, pushing the glass towards me.

Nervous for a reason I didn’t understand, I tucked my hair behind my ear and took a sip. The citrus exploded on my tongue with the snap and crackle of the carbonation.

“That’s what your aura tastes like,” Nico whispered low in my ear, just for me to hear. His shoulder rubbed against mine. I took another sip to cover the threat of a moan.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Moxie makes drinks that taste like your aura.”

“What does yours taste like?” I asked Nico.

“Mint Juleps”” They answered in unison.

“I bet I taste like bunnies and sunshine.” Beg sidled up to the bar, crashing me into Nico on my other side. His presence dimmed all the lights in the universe except for Moxie.

She smiled sweetly while slamming a hurricane glass in front of him with so much force I was afraid it would shatter. Witha bare hand, she grabbed ice out of the cooler and tumbled it in the glass. Next, she double-poured tomato juice and vodka. Grasping a bottle of Tabasco, she flipped it in the air and caught it upside down. Seductively, she cocked a hip, turning herself into a vision of hips and tits, she aggressively shook Tabasco on top.

“Et voilà,” she said with a flourish. Her smile was pure venom. I didn’t dare turn to see Beg’s reaction.

“I’ll have a Dark and Stormy.” An alpha slid into the very end of the bar, unseen, while our little drama played out.

Chapter 38

Nico

I clenched my fiststo beat back images of flames that threatened to take over my vision. When I’d seen the boat explode, it was like color was lost from the world. Now, relief crashed through me. I knew he was fine, that his brother pulled him out of the water. Seeing him in the flesh made it real. But he might not actually survive the night.

My fingers closed on Lana’s wrist. I maneuvered her back a few steps. She was the most vulnerable right now. Moxie was safe behind the bar. Beg was always armed. Star was sleek in black dress pants and a black dress shirt, showing no placewhere a weapon could hide. Not that two warring alphas needed a weapon.

Star pulled a bowl of nuts towards himself and popped one in his mouth, not giving a single fuck he invaded his brother’s space. He flashed his family ring, the priceless heirloom Beg had wanted me to steal. The very thing that had had me breaking into Star’s condo that night.

“Alistair,” Beg greeted his brother with false kindness in his voice.

“Beguile,” Star nodded at him.

“Wait, wait, wait. Hold up.” Moxie waved her hands, claiming everyone’s attention. With a grin, she hopped up onto the bar and swung her legs over, dangling feet like a little kid.“Beguile? Your fucking name isBeguile?”

Beg scowled at her, thrown off by her insertion into this train wreck. A smile played about my lips. Moxie’s greatest skill was fucking with alphas. As an auracle, she could see exactly how to get into your head.

Moxie’s laughter was bold and bright. “Your mamadidhate you, didn’t she? No wonder you chose the name Beg.” She finished with a snort.

Lana gripped my arm, her fear pouring right into me. Goddamn Moxie, always having to poke the bear.

“Oh, sorry, I’m interrupting the family reunion. Do we have any popcorn, Ella? I do so enjoy watching childhood grudges play out,” she said, completely ignoring Ella’s terrified squeak. The bar staff looked to me. I jerked my head toward the door, and they didn’t need to be told twice. With that as a signal, people streamed out through the employee door. Some moved to get a better seat for the show.

Moxie made a get on with it gesture.

“This is getting old, Beg,” Star said, spinning his finger around the little bowl of nuts, looking for just the right one to savor.

“If you can’t take the heat, get out of my fucking city.”

Star chuckled and shook his head. “See?” He nodded toward Moxie.

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