Page 95 of Until It Was Real

“I-I-I want to go,” I stutter.

His smile widens. “Then, we go.”

Eli herds everyone out of the office and soon enough we’re walking down an alley in Smuggler’s Rest.

“Where are we going?” I ask. “I was joking about smuggling alcohol. I can’t get another strike on my record.”

Rhett squeezes my hand. “Rumrunneris a speakeasy.”

Now I remember. Sadie told me about the place ages ago. I nearly forgot. This is so exciting. An honest to goodness speakeasy. This island is the coolest. “Seriously? Do we need a code word?”

He chuckles. “Locals don’t need a code word.”

“I’m not a local.”

He scowls. “You live here. You’re a local.” He halts and twirls me around until I’m standing in his arms. “Who made you feel unwelcome?”

“Unwelcome?”

“It’s okay, Dakota.” He brushes the hair out of my face. “You can tell me.”

“No one’s made me feel unwelcome. Unless we count the time this big grouch knocked on my car window and scared the crap out of me.”

He frowns. “I’m sorry, Havoc. I didn’t mean to scare you. I was an asshole.”

I grin up at him. “It’s good you’re aware of your asshole tendencies.”

“My asshole tendencies. I’ll show you my asshole tendencies when I…” He leans down to whisper in my ear. “…don’t let you come for a very long time tonight.”

I shiver. I’ll never admit it out loud, but I love it when he takes control in the bedroom. After being married to Adam, who controlled our finances and therefore thoroughly screwed me over, I’m surprised I can give any man control. But Rhett isn’t any man.

“I’m not the only one who won’t be coming tonight. I have to work in a few hours.”

He growls. “You should let me help you pay your bills.”

I roll my eyes. “We’ve been over this. I can handle my problems myself. I don’t need some big, growly man to step in.”

“But you admit I’m big.”

I roll my eyes. “Such a man.”

“Lovebirds!” Miles waves from where he’s holding a door open.

I grasp Rhett’s hand and drag him toward the door. In my rush, I trip on air and stumble. Rhett catches me before I fall on my face.

“Easy there, Havoc.”

I point to the ground. “It came up and bit me.”

He chuckles. “Sure, it did.”

We step inside the bar and my mouth drops open. This place is cool. Dim lighting flickers from antique sconces and casts a golden hue over the dark wooden interior. The walls are exposed brick, and behind the bar, there are mahogany shelves stacked high with aged liquor bottles. I feel as if I’ve stepped back in time to the Prohibition.

Paisley captures my hand and tugs me away from Rhett. “You have to see this.”

“What?” I ask as I stumble to keep up with her.

She points to the bar. Kai is leaning over it while chatting with the bartender.

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