Page 53 of Red Hunt

“The Oaktree,” Milli chimed in, which earned her a sharp look from Belinda, obviously not amused about Milli sharing information. Why?

I took a step back so Milli could close her door again. “Have a nice evening, ladies.”

Belinda nodded once, then rounded the truck and got in. Something was fishy. Whatever had brought them up here was more than just checking in. They were involved in something.

I narrowed my eyes while watching their truck turn around and slowly disappear. Milli knowingly putting herself in danger caused an unpleasant tingling across the back of my neck, and her lying to me, even if she was just holding back on the truth, felt like a personal affront.

My hands tightened into fists.

By God, there wasn’t a chance in hell I wouldn’t be at the Oaktree watching over her tonight.

Because whatever it was Milli had gotten entangled with, she was in over her head.

Someone needed to keep an eye on her.

And that someone would be me.

30

MILLI

“So?” I looked sideways at Belinda.

“What?” Belinda’s eyes never left the table on the other side of the bar. Which Max and his friends had occupied. I almost choked on my third shot of tequila when Max, accompanied by Blake, Peter, and a couple of other guys, who looked equally fit and intimidating, entered the Oaktree. The place immediately seemed smaller, and at the same time, it created some kind of tension in the air. Or maybe it was just me being tense around Max.

“What’s with you and the Hulk over there?” Sharon chimed in.

“You’ve been making googly eyes at each other all evening,” I said to Belinda and high-fived Sharon. The alcohol had left me with a warm feeling deep in my belly. Liquid courage wasn’t a myth. I felt sexy and free and strong…and I liked that a lot.

“His name is Peaches,” Belinda said.

“Peaches? As in, Princess Peach?” Sharon asked, and laughter bubbled in her voice.

“I don’t know. It’s his nickname or something. But he’s kind of cute. The dorky kind of sexy.”

I examined Peaches a little closer. He looked kind of dorky, if someone resembling his size…and looks could even be called dorky. He was talking with the others, but every once in a while, his eyes found Belinda as if he was checking if she was okay. It was adorable. Then my eyes met Max’s, and every mushy feeling I had instantly ratcheted up into tingling sensations. Every time his eyes focused on me, it was the same fluttery sensation. My heart galloped in my chest, and it stayed that way until he focused on something else. Whew.

Then Peter, Blake, and Lucas made their way over. “Hey, girls, having fun?” Blake asked with a crooked smile.

Belinda cocked an eyebrow while Sharon and I smiled. “Of course. You guys celebrating something?” Sharon asked. She was the sweetest. She turned around when Lucas came up behind her.

I still hadn’t figured out if those two were dating or just hooking up. Ever since Lucas had come to town and moved into the house next to Sharon, they had crazy sparks going on between them. But Sharon had never brought it up, and I had never pried. So, all I knew, what I’d heard through the rumor mill, was how he was hanging out at Blake’s bar a lot and was uber-protective of her. I guess it was time Sharon and I had a talk about what was going on between them.

“Yeah, you could say that,” Peter said. “Hey, Milli, I heard you attacked a man earlier this afternoon.” Peter raised his eyebrows and displayed a wide grin.

For a moment, I didn’t know what to say. So much had happened between now and then, and it had been over so quickly. It was as if it didn’t really happen.

“You should’ve seen her. Pure wildcat,” Belinda said and took a sip from her bottle. “Do not mess with Milli. She’s fierce.”

Peter shook his head in laughter, and Blake looked at me as if I’d grown a second head.

“Why don’t you come on over to our table? Meet the rest of the gang?” Lucas said, his eyes never leaving Sharon’s.

“Why not?” Belinda said. “But first we need another round of tequila, right, Milli?”

I nodded, though I didn’t know if a fourth tequila was a wise decision. Oh, screw that. Today had been a lot. So, I deserved to get drunk.

I excused myself while she ordered, and when I came back, our table was empty. I looked over to Max’s table, and sure enough, everybody had gathered around—Sharon between Blake and Lucas, Belinda between Peaches and one of the guys I didn’t know, and there was an empty space for me right between Max and Peter.

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