Page 3 of Havoc

“What’s with all the tension? Relax, baby,” he whispered breathlessly, his breath laced with whiskey.

I pushed back a little more, just enough to keep our bodies from touching. “I just need a respectable distance between us.”

“No,” he said harshly. “What you need is to fucking lighten up.” His fingers dug painfully into my waist for a second. Then one hand drifted down to rest against my ass.

My annoyance got the better of me. So, I jerked his hand back up to my waist. “No shenanigans. Keep your hands respectable.”

He just laughed at me. “My God, could you be any more uptight?”

“I’m not usually so anxious. You’re making me very uncomfortable.”

“What? Because I asked you for a damn dance?”

“No. Because I’ve told you several times that I don’t want to start anything with you, but you just keep coming on strong.”

“That’s how it’s done. The man takes the initiative to ask a woman out. The woman plays hard to get by turning him down. Blah, blah, blah. Enough playing hard to get, babe. You got my attention, now it’s time to play for real.”

My hands dropped away, and I stepped back. “What? No. That’s not how that works. That’s not how any of this works.”

When he glanced around suspiciously, I realized I’d done exactly what I promised myself I wouldn’t do. He grabbed my arm again and pulled me closer.

“Calm the hell down, crazy pants. God knows I like my women to have a little sass, but you’re taking things way too far tonight.” He jerked me towards the door. “Come on. You’ve had enough to drink. I’m taking you home.”

I pulled out of his grasp. Lowering my voice, I told him firmly, “No way. I’m not getting in a vehicle with you. Not now. Not ever.”

His expression turned calculating, and something dangerous flickered in his eyes. When I took another step back, he grumbled, “Why are you being such a stuck up bitch? Do you think you’re too good to go home with a lawman?”

His whole train of thought was messed up. I didn’t like the way he tried to guilt-trip me.

“Look, we’ve had our dance. I’m going back to my friends, just like I told you earlier. I’m here with them and we’re leaving together.”

He reached for me again, but those bikers walked past, moving between us. One of the bikers lingered, inconspicuously gesturing for me to make a run for it. I took the opportunity this stranger was offering to look around for my friends. They were back at our table, with more drinks. I made a beeline for them. Every step I put between Slater and myself enabled me to breathe just a little bit easier.

When I claimed my seat at the table, Dae asked, “What the hell was that all about?”

“It’s Detective Slater again.”

Hana’s eyes flew open. “You’re thinking of dating a cop?”

“Hell no,” I shot back. “I’ve nothing against cops, but this one’s an asshole who refuses to take no for an answer.” I took a sip of my drink. My hands were shaking so badly, I could hardly keep from spilling it.

Dae lowered her voice. “Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that Detective Asshole keeps staring at you. If looks could kill, you’d be dead.”

Maritza spoke up. “We need to keep an eye on him.”

Hana and Dae agreed. Hana reached out to take the drink from my trembling hand and set it on the table in front of me. “Are you okay?” she asked as she peeled the paper off a straw and put it in my drink.

I nodded, unable to look at Slater again. “He was trying to pressure me to let him take me home.”

“Oh, hell no,” Dae said. “I’m no expert, but letting your friendly neighborhood stalker take you home when you’ve both been drinking sounds like a really bad idea.”

Glancing over at him, I assured her, “I wouldn’t let that happen, no way would I get in a car with him.”

When I locked eyes with Slater, I saw he was seething with anger that he held carefully in check. Then the cold, calculating expression returned. He pulled out his cell phone and had a short conversation with someone. I hoped he was hooking up with someone who liked him more than I did.

I realized that wasn’t his intent when a half-dozen of his buddies came pouring through the front door.

I saw red and blue lights flashing outside the glass front door. The bar was packed, and people began panicking because this was clearly a raid.

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