Page 7 of Whiskey Promises
She sees him not even two seconds later, her eyes locking on him like she's drowning.
"Mateo." His name shakes on her lips, full of years of pain and memories, making it clear they haven't seen each other in a while. Crap. This is going to be a disaster.
I'm not wrong.
Teo doesn't say a word as he grabs the jackass who told me to call security and flings him across the bar like a ragdoll.
Nadia cries out as the guy crashes into a table a few feet away. Everyone around us goes silent as Teo yanks his friend up by the throat before tossing him aside.
"You," he snarls at the jerk in the wrinkled suit. "Apologize. Now."
The man stares at him blankly.
"You threatened her." Teo hauls himself up to his full height, his fist clenched. The man is imposing as hell. He's played professional football for years, and it shows.
"Apologize. Now," he grits out, his voice a dark rumble.
"Fuck you and the bitch."
"Wrong choice." Teo snaps his arm back, smashing his fist into the man's face once.
Bone crunches, his nose breaking on impact.
Another soft cry escapes Nadia's lips as he crumples like a paper doll at Teo's feet, hitting the floor with a heavy thud.
I'm not surprised, though. This is what Teo does. It's what he's done over and over ever since he lost Nadia. His life is a trainwreck, and the damage just keeps piling up. But honestly? I think that's how he wants it. It's how he punishes himself for her accident.
But he's here now. They're in the same room. That has to be a good sign…right?
"I called the police," the bartender says, hurrying over to us. He eyes Teo warily, as if he's fully aware of who he is and his reputation for leaving places like this in ruins. "They're on the way."
Teo ignores him, his eyes locked on my sister like he can't look away. "You okay, butterfly?" he asks her, his voice soft.
She jerks her chin in a nod, not speaking. I don't think she can.
"Zoya?" he asks, checking on me.
"I'm fine."
He and Nadia stare at one another for a long moment while he shakes out his hand. Neither of them says anything, but God…the way they look at each other makesmewant to cry. It's obvious neither of them ever got over the other. It's equally as obvious they still belong together.
When are they going to stop destroying themselves and realize it?
"Thank yo–"
"Hire security. You need it," he interrupts Nadia before turning abruptly and walking away.
She gapes after him for a long moment before her eyes narrow in outrage. Before I can say a word, she's storming through the bar after him. I let them go, praying they finally work their shit out. They need to do it. Desperately.
"Hey." Jareth materializes at my side a moment later, fury stamped all over his face as he scowls at the three dicks the bouncer is trying to haul out. "What the fuck just happened?"
"Oh, sure," I mutter, rubbing my temples. "Nowhe shows up."
"We were loading up the equipment. Someone ran out and said there was a fight over Nadia. What happened, Zoya?"
"The Three Drunken Stooges there thought insulting and threatening us was a good way to get in Nadia's pants."
Jareth growls, taking a step toward them.
