Page 12 of Claimed By Two Alphas

“Thanks for the drinks.” I gave him a smile. Maybe I could play matchmaker and then Misty wouldn’t be interested in me any longer. It was worth a shot, and Raymond did look kind of sad.

After I delivered the drinks, I caught up with Misty at the register. “So, if you’re looking for something to do tonight, then—”

“Did you change your mind about the movies?”

I didn’t like how hopeful she looked. I had to steer her train in another direction. “Have you ever thought about Raymond?”

Her brows dipped. “The bartender?”

“Yeah.” I leaned my hip against the counter. How had I not paid attention to her thoughts before? How had I not known she was into me? “He’s cute, single, and I’m thinking maybe he’s sweet on you.”

She glanced past me. I couldn't hear her thoughts because there were two men standing close to us, arguing over some sports game. Their thoughts were projecting too loudly for me to hear what she was thinking.

“Huh,” she said. “I had no idea he liked me.”

I shrugged. “Maybe bat your pretty eyelashes at him and flirt a little. Trust me, if he was gay, I’d be all over that.”

There, I’d let her know. If she didn’t put those puzzle pieces together, she was a lost cause.

Her head snapped around as she gazed up at me. “You’re gay?”

“You don’t have to shout that,” I said, thankful for all the noise in this place. Her words were fortunately swallowed up by the cheers one table began when something happened on one of the televisions.

“I…” She scratched at her nose. “I had no idea.”

“I don’t advertise it, but yes, I’m gay.”

“Raymond, huh?” She walked away, and I wanted to pump my arm. Now I didn’t have to worry about her calling me again, and hopefully Raymond would get his wish.

I’ll have to be discreet about it. Just keep the gun in my pocket, go up to the cashier, and make him hand over the money. In and out in five seconds.

My heart seized at those words. It was someone’s thoughts. I looked around, but there were too many people to tell who was planning a robbery. A robbery? Seriously? Who knocked over a bar-and-grill? Who?

A hand landed on my arm. I nearly jumped out of my skin, thinking it was the guy with the gun, but everyone’s thoughts vanished. I spun and saw it was Delvin. “How’re you feeling tonight?”

I yanked him down and whispered into his ear, “Someone is about to rob us. I heard his thoughts, but I can’t pinpoint who it is. You have to stop touching me so I can figure it out.”

“Are you sure?” Delvin frowned.

“Positive. Maybe he’s just thinking it. Maybe he won’t go through with it, but someone has the idea in their head.”

Delvin released my arm. The voices slammed back inside my head. Delvin stayed at my side as we scanned the crowd. I tried to filter through the voices, something I’d never tried before. In the past, my only goal was trying to shut out the voices, not let them in. Thoughts bombarded me. Some woman desperately wondering if she was pregnant. A guy who was checking out Janie, gross thoughts in his head. It was as if the entire place was vying for my attention.

I grabbed Delvin’s arm. The voices vanished.

“You know who it is?”

“No.” I shook my head. “The voices became too much. I had to quiet them for a second. Do you hear the noise in this place? Everyone talking?”

Delvin nodded.

“Imagine that on steroids, constantly bombarding you, happening your entire shift, but it’s all in your head, not your ears.”

“Damn,” Delvin whispered. “How the hell you manage this long, Shane?”

“What choice do I have?” I asked him. “I have to pay my bills, and we all know Hungry isn’t teeming with job offers.” I sucked in a deep breath. “I’m going to try again.”

Delvin placed his hand over mine to keep it there. His touch only made me recall last night, how those hands had brought me so much pleasure. How much I craved them right now. “You don’t have to. We can figure it out another way.”

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