Page 30 of Avidian
“Nice of you to join us, brother,” Orin says.
I glance over and freeze when I see Malachi stepping up to the bar, a few chairs down. The bar’s L-shape gives me a perfect view of him—and his date.
His date.
He has his arm draped around a blonde woman who’s curvy in all the right places. She’s sophisticated, polished, and undeniably gorgeous. Looking at her makes my stomach twist uncomfortably. I don’t know why, but I already hate her.
I narrow my eyes at Malachi, but he doesn’t seem to notice—or pretends not to. Turning back to the bartender, I watch as he lines up more drinks, trying to distract myself.
“Lana, you’re looking good this evening,” Orin says, rubbing at his beard, his expression unusually pleasant.
She flashes a bright smile, her perfect white teeth gleaming. Of course. “Nice to see you, Orin,” she replies smoothly, her voice as elegant as her appearance.
Lana. So that’s her name. Who is this woman who knows Orin and is glued to Malachi’s side?
Before I can think too hard about it, Orin tugs me closer, his hands firm on my hips. Now I’m practically wedged between his legs, and the discomfort is overwhelming.
“Another round,” Orin says, twirling his finger in the air for the bartender’s attention. “Make hers a double.”
Great.
“Who is your date? I don’t believe we’ve met before,” Lana asks, gesturing to me with a polite smile.
I force myself to play nice. “My name’s Katja. Pleasure.” I offer her a tight smile, adding with a touch of sarcasm, “And that’s probably because I don’t like to share.”
Orin laughs loudly, his grip tightening on my hips. “You know I like my women feisty,” he says and then slaps my ass. Oh, hell no.
It takes every ounce of self-control I have not to break my glass over his head right then and there. Instead, I bite down hard on my bottom lip, the sting keeping me focused. Patience, Kat. You need him drunk enough to start talking—or give up and find someone less vile to get information out of.
“How long have you two been together?” I ask Lana, redirecting my attention and trying to mask the venom behind my curiosity.
Lana lights up at the question, looking between me and Malachi with a beaming smile. “Oh, we’ve known each other since we were kids, but Malachi reached out to me when he arrived here a few days ago. I was delighted he called—it’s been far too long.”
She looks up at him with stars in her eyes, and my stomach twists again. There’s an unsettling intimacy in her gaze, one that makes me wonder how much she knows about him now.
“Malachi wouldn’t know how to have a casual fuck if a whore sat on his cock,” Orin interrupts, his vulgarity making us all cringe. “He’s always pining over one woman, more worried about soul mates and all that feminine shit that turns women off. A woman wants a tough guy who’ll rough her up in the sack. Isn’t that right, Katja?”
I swallow back bile, trying to ignore the heat rising to my face. He couldn’t be more disgusting if he tried.
“He’s always been the sweet one in the family, hasn’t he?” Lana says, resting her hand on his arm.
Malachi clears his throat, taking a slow sip of his bourbon. “I think my brothers are tough enough for all of us.”
The tension is palpable, and I can feel my pulse quickening. Malachi doesn’t meet my eyes, but there’s something guarded in his expression, like he’s playing a role he doesn’t quite believe in.What are you up to, Malachi? And who the hell is this woman clinging to you like she’s been waiting her entire life for this moment?
“Down the hatch, sweetie,” Orin says, his grip firm as he tips my glass again, forcing me to chug the alcohol. The liquid burns its way down my throat, and I cough slightly as I set the empty glass on the bar. This is clearly his twisted idea of fun—torturing me in front of a crowd, taking his role as my “date” to heart in the worst possible way. I need to start planning my escape, and fast.
“My girl loves to drink,” he announces loudly, his hand sliding over my back in what he probably thinks is an affectionate gesture. “It gets her horny.”
Heat rushes to my face, but not from embarrassment—pure fury. We’re surrounded by people, so I swallow my pride and let his vile words roll off me like water on stone. He’s nothing I can’t handle, but that doesn’t stop me from noticing Malachi’s gaze trailing after the movement of Orin’s hand, his jaw tightening ever so slightly.
“She’ll have another,” Orin demands, pointing at the bartender, who hesitates for a moment before setting about making the drink.
I dread the fresh glass appearing in front of me, the buzz of alcohol already starting to creep into my veins. If this keeps up, tonight will be a night I regret for many nights to come. I need a bread roll, a toilet, or divine intervention.
“Take it easy,” Malachi says, glancing at me. “The night is young.”
I turn and shoot him a glare that could kill.Does it look like I have a fucking choice in the matter?I want to scream at him, but instead I grind my teeth and look away before I lose control.
