Page 93 of Ruling Scar
“Thank you for dinner.” I stand up. “If you could please take care of my dog, I’d appreciate it.”
Max sighs, disgruntled at the idea.
“Be nice,” Russet mouths.
Sure. I’ll be nice. Very fucking nice.
CHAPTER 21
Lennie
They serve nothing but top shelf at Hartright’s and I wouldn’t expect anything else.
The bar isn’t loud or crowded. People lounge around in private couches, a low level of murmuring filling the air.
The atmosphere is rich and sophisticated but there’s a rather lacking amount of sex if I do say so myself.
True to their word, Ren and Isolde helped me take photos. Or at least Ren did until she excused herself and scurried over to the bar.
Holding a rum and coke, I sit back on the black sofa, the slit in my dress showing off my leg.
“Should we be concerned about how odd she’s acting?” I ask Isolde. Ren’s forgotten drink lay on the low table near our couch, while she speaks to a male bartender.
“Isn’t that the problem,” Isolde replies, already on her second glass of vodka. “She always acts a bit odd.”
“True,” I replied.
But five minutes later, she’s still talking to the bartender. The longer I watch their interaction the more I can’t help thinking Ren looks beautiful but lost.
“You think she’ll let us in more?” I ask.
Isolde shrugs. “All you can do is try.”
It’s the truth. I sip on my drink thinking about a refill. I don’t drink often, but I may as well make the most out of the night.
Ren wanders back, her steps slow before she sags onto the couch.
“You okay?” I ask. If we’re not careful, we’ll all end up much too mopey for this place.
She smiles, but the red lipstick has faded from her lips.
I touch her cheek, I don’t know why, and she smiles softly.
“Come on, surely you can find someone or something to distract yourself with,” I say.
She laughs. “I think we might be corrupting you, Len.”
The true reason for my corruption is a man named Elijah and I jump when his shadow appears.
“I thought it was girl’s night,” Isolde says into her liquor with a faint smirk.
At least someone finds it amusing because my mouth dries at the sight of his dark face.
“Elijah,” I say calmly. Much too calmly considering my fluttering heart.
“Doesn’t she look good?” Ren asks slyly.
I’d shove my elbow into her side if I could move.
