Kneeling, I wrap the young man’s hands in the gray, sticky tape. I do his ankles as well so I can have a well-deserved beer without worrying he’ll run off.
The girl who almost ate his bullet squats beside him, tears dripping down her cheeks, checking the bump on the back of his head. “Will he be alright?”
“Alright enough to try to kill you again.” Given the circumstances, my tone may contain a certain lack of empathy.
Mel shoots me a glance which says I should shut my mouth and she’s probably right. However, I figure I earned the right to be a bit obnoxious. I have to force my fists to unclench and the heady dose of adrenaline will probably keep me up all night. That was too fucking close. From now on, I’ll vet every goddamn woman before they’re allowed in the front door of Talon. Hell, before they’re even allowed into Mel’s group.
More tears roll down the young girl’s face. “This is all my fault. I shouldn’t’ve come here tonight.”
Mel takes her into a hug, murmurs something into her ear, and pulls her into the larger room. Then, as we wait for the police, I drag dear Mehmet off the stairs and onto the floor in front of the bar to take stock of the situation. The women range from eighteen to almost eighty but there’s a new one tonight who catches my eye. She’s got blond hair, blue eyes and built like, well let’s just say she’s stunning. My cock, being no dummy, takes notice and crams painfully against my jeans.
Trying to slow down the rapid beat of my heart, I take the beer offered by Rich and follow the woman. Emily already lit the faux fire which burns under an aged wood mantel. The glowing red walls, along with the smell of being underground, makes it easy to imagine having a forbidden drink during prohibition.
“None of this is your fault. The blame rests with your brother.” The blond bombshell who caught my eye sits on a black leather couch with her arm around the girl who almost got shot.
“But Dr. Smythe, if I had married…”
“No buts, Rasha. In this country, you don’t marry the man who raped you, no matter what your parents wish.”
You’d think, after a few years of watching out for Mel’s lost sheep, I’d get used to this kind of talk but it still kicks me in the balls. Now, I wish like hell I’d landed hard enough on the kid with the gun to do some serious damage.
Good thing the cops are on the way or I’d go into the other room and rough him up a bit. I’d let dear Mehmet know what it’s like.
“Jack? You with us?” Mel pulls me out of my thoughts and back into the room where all the women stare my way.
“Sorry. What were you saying?” My face heats a bit when Mel gives me a knowing smile. I swear CJ’s wife can see right through people.
“I was introducing you to Doctor Smythe. She’s taking over the group when we move.”
The gorgeous woman stands, raises these thick, pale lashes and reveals fucking amazing eyes, almost violet. With a confident grin, she holds out her hand. “Thank you for saving us.”
Unable to keep from staring, I manage to shut my open jaw and meet her soft palm. “So, you’re the new shrink?”
“Guilty as charged.” When she tries to politely pull out of my grip, I hold on tighter and her eyes flick up.
I like the spark she shoots me and how her eyebrows raise. I especially like how her thumb presses into mine before I let go, a clear sign she didn’t mind me lingering.
She tips her head, lips in a quirky grin. “That was quite a flying leap. Did you work in a circus before protecting the Quinns?”
I’m more than happy to engage in a little banter. It’s a lot easier than the weighty talk I usually hear at these meetings. “Yeah. Clown by calling, bodyguard by profession.”
The women all titter and I wink as I turn to the gunman’s sister. “You’re Rasha, right?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t suppose you have any other murderous siblings coming after you tonight?” I make a joke of it but I’m half-serious. I really need to know.
The brown woman shakes her head sadly. “No. He’s my only brother. My parents will be furious.”
“As well they should, sweetheart. He tried to kill you.” I imagine the hurt they’ll feel as their son is pulled off to jail and have a bit of sympathy for them.
Her dark lids lower and tears seep out. “Not at him. At me.”
What?That is so many kinds of fucked up. I don’t know how to respond and look to the professional in the room to help me out.
The doctor reaches into a back pocket then hands over a crumpled card. “How about we talk about it in the morning? Can you stop by before class?”
“My first is at nine. Is that too early?”
