Chapter One
Salena
Musicblaresfromthestage as I make my way through the crowded bar toward the tables at the back. I can’t help but grumble under my breath as I do. I don’t enjoy kicking people out, but my bar is no halfway house. I walk purposefully toward the booth and the guy slumped over in the cushioned seat. His chin rests on his chest, thick ebony hair draped over his features. I knock my knuckles on the table but get no response.
I turn to the guys seated across from him in the booth. “Hey . . . Is he with you?”
The two men stop laughing and glance over at me. Their eyes slide over my body, landing on my cleavage and lingering there.
I huff out a frustrated breath and roll my eyes. “Eyes up here, boys, or I’ll cut them out and feed them to you,” I snap, clicking my fingers in their faces.
Both men’s eyes jerk to mine, and I watch them swallow roughly.
One of them mumbles a quiet, “Sorry.”
The other answers my question. “No, he was here when we arrived.”
Huh. Okay, then.
I turn to the unconscious man and sigh in frustration. He isn’t a regular. There’s an air of unfamiliarity about him, as if either new to town or passing through. I reach over to shake his shoulder, but something stops me. Frowning, I tilt my head, curiosity getting the better of me. Instead of waking him, I brush the hair from his forehead aside so I can get a look at his face.
I draw in a sharp breath, my fingers lingering on his temple. He is handsome. Not model handsome, more the rough type of handsome. The kind of man that would draw eyes in a crowd. He has a firm square jaw, clean shaven, dark eyebrows that even in sleep are drawn together in a frown. Without thinking, I swipe my thumb over his brow, as if to soothe whatever might be causing him trouble. My hand travels down his face and cups his jaw. Slowly, I lift his face. My heart thumps hard against my ribcage at the sight of three scars that run down his cheek, starting at his hairline near his temple. Whatever happened to him happened a long time ago. The cuts have healed, but were deep enough they left thick scars.
As I look at him, my pulse quickens, as if I’m doing something forbidden. I take in his expensive black suit; his tie is loosened around his neck, and the top button undone on his white shirt. He looks important, put together. Apart from being passed out in my bar, that is. Something gold glints inside his suit jacket, drawing my attention. Being the nosy person I am, I slowly pull the edge of his jacket aside and draw in a breath at the police badge clipped at his waist. Or should I say detective badge. Shit.
A throat clears behind me, and the floor drops out from beneath me. I let my hand fall, stepping back quickly. I turn to see my brother smirking at me, his head slightly tilted, deep blue eyes regarding me with amusement.
“Hey, sis. Whatcha doin’?”
I cross my arms over my chest, beginning to feel a tad foolish. “Nothing.”
“Didn’t look like nothing.”
“I was going to kick this guy out,” I reply, gesturing to the man in the booth.
“And now?”
I shoot him a glare. “Now I’m not. Take him upstairs to my apartment, Kai.”
My apartment is tiny, with only one bedroom, a bathroom, and a small living area. It definitely isn’t the Ritz, but I love it.
Kai crosses his arms and narrows his blue eyes. “Say what?”
“You heard me. When he wakes, I will deal with him.” I push past him and head back toward the bar. I have work to do.
Kai’s hand wraps around my arm, stalling me. “You think that’s a good idea?”
“Kai,” I warn.
“What? I’m your brother. It’s my job to look out for you,” he says, a look of exasperation crossing his face.
“No, it’s not. Really.”
“But–”
I love my brother, but I wish he would just follow orders, for one; and for two, I wish he’d do his job without giving me a hard time. I stare up at him, letting my eyes flash in warning. “No buts, Kai.”
Kai releases my arm and holds up both hands in mock surrender. “Yes, Alpha.” There is a twinkle in his eyes as he continues, “Whatever you say, sis. Should I put him on the sofa or in your bed?”
