Page 117 of Cowboy Bull's Promise

The lights don’t flicker.

No shadow crosses the threshold.

I can’t shake it, though, and something inside me tugs.

A knowing. A whisper. A warning.

Like the air just shifted.

Like a page turned and the next chapter isn’t quite as soft.

I try again, and this time I shake it off. I’m just being silly, I guess.

I paste on my smile and bring the drinks to a pair of guys at one of the back tables.

Bob really needs to find more help.

The customers nod their thanks, and I wander back to the bar. Kian winks at me from his seat and my heart trips in that wonderful, familiar way.

I pour myself an iced water and catch sight of Bob on the phone behind the bar. He looks upset and harried.

My former boss’ gaze flicks to me and I frown. Then he turns and says something I don’t hear before he hangs up.

Weird. And getting weirder.

Chapter Twenty-Five-Kian

“Yo, me and Dante are gonna bounce with our women.”

Emmet saunters up to my corner seat like he didn’t just spend the last hour trying to keep his pregnant mate from hurling a saltshaker at every human woman who looked at her man.

I glance up, a genuine grin tugging at my lips.

Honestly?

I’m a little touched.

I mean, these guys didn’t have to show up tonight.

But they did.

For Arliss.

For me.

And that? That shit means something. I still have to fuck with him though.

“Bounce? Somebody’s been listening to old school rap again,” I joke.

“Fuck you. Rock the Bells Radio is the best damn channel on that satellite shit Max shells out money for every month.”

I silently disagree, being partial to country rock and eighties glam bands myself. Besides there’s no heat in my comment.

Just joviality.

“Okay, well, thanks for coming tonight. I bet Jez is feeling tired these days,” I say, lifting my beer in acknowledgment.

The woman is basically his Wolf Whisperer-slash-Hellhound-handler, and honestly? She deserves a medal.

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