Page 64 of Nemesis

I swivel to face the man, making a show of looking him up and down. He’s wearing a leather jacket over a flannel, jeans, work boots. And yet, he doesn’t strike me as someone who’s ever had a hard day’s work.

It’s just a costume.

I wrinkle my nose. “I’m good.”

“You’re drinking, and it’s nine o’clock in the morning,” he points out.

“This place opens early.” And it seemed better to come here instead of drink alone in my apartment.

After Reese’s abrupt exit, I kept expecting Kade to storm in. I waited on my couch for an hour, then another, without moving. Finally, when the sky began to lighten, I showered and changed and headed out.

I walked here, but I wouldn’t say Madness was my destination.

I’m notcrazy. Or an alcoholic.

I just am not coping well with life.

“You’re here, too,” I add to the man who’s still judging me.

He raises both hands in surrender, and I face the bartender again. I motion for another, silently cutting myself off after this. This will be my third, and I still need to function for the rest of the day.

My phone buzzes in my pocket. I retrieve it and scan the screen, and for some reason, I flush.

“Hey.” I clear my throat. Shift on my seat.

The bartender arrives with my drink, and I swallow it just as fast as the last.

“Where are you?” Malik asks.

I roll my eyes. “None of your business.”

“Uh-huh. Well, I thought you might want to know that our search was successful.”

It takes me a minute to work out what the Hell Hounds’ leader is talking about. It feels like eons ago since I asked him to find Reese for me.

But he has?

Too late—I found him first.

A giggle slips out, and I smack my palm over my mouth.

“You don’t sound right,” Malik says. “How did you find him?”

Did I say that out loud?

“Yeah, you’re talking out loud,” he says. “Where are you?”

“Descend.” I roll my eyes. “Okay, Madness. Same thing.”

He sighs. “Stay there. I’m on my way.”

“Watch out for the one-eyed monsters,” I whisper.

Did I mention those drinks were doubles?

I hang up on Malik and sag on the stool.

Reese was in my apartment only hours ago, and I haven’t slept a wink in… I don’t know how long. Every time I blink, the sandpaper feeling in my eyes intensifies.

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