The silk material of my little black dress swishes against my skin as I step into the cocktail bar, spotting the girls immediately. They’re at a high-top table right in front of the bar, looking as gorgeous as always. Willow is dressed in a green number, her vibrant red hair pulled into a stylish updo on top of her head while Olivia is in a red jumpsuit, the material molding to the shape of her baby bump.
“Hey,” I smile at them as I slide onto the vacant stool and order a cocktail from the passing server.
“We ordered tapas,” Willow sips on her own drink, “And then we’re going to head to the bar around the corner.”
“Oh, which one?” I press, trying to remember all the names of the ones on this street and not coming up with any.
“Oh, it’s new,” She shrugs, “Opening night tonight actually.”
“Really?” My drink is placed in front of me, and I take a grateful sip, the harsh taste of the hard liquor overpowered by the fruity sweet mixer added.
“Mmhmm,” Willow glances at Olivia before she looks back at me. There’s something about it I don’t like, but I can’t put my finger on it.
“What are you up to?” My eyes narrow on her.
“Nothing,” Willow gasps.
“Liar.”
“Just trust us,” Willow pleads, “Please.”
Since the bar is only around the corner and the sky is clear, we decide to walk. It’s cold and I’m holding my coat tight to my body to fight off the chill. Turning the corner, I see most of the buildings are dark except for one right at the end and that doesn’t look like a bar at all. There’s no one here, no one queuing to get inside or music to be heard.
“Are we in the right place?” I pause.
“Yep,” Willow pops the P and continues down the street.
“It seems a little quiet,” I add, resuming the walk toward that one illuminated building.
“It’s intimate,” Olivia adds.
“Hm,” I capture my lip between my teeth, “Maybe.”
We finally make it to the building, and it becomes clear this isn’t a bar at all. It looks like a gallery, there are framed pieces of art on the wall, but every single one is covered by a black silk sheet.
“What is this?” I peer through the windows, “We’re definitely in the wrong place.”
“No,” Willow touches my arm, “You’re exactly where you need to be.”
Behind her, a black SUV pulls up to the sidewalk and I immediately recognize the car as Sebastian’s and then right behind that, Malakai comes to a stop in his Maserati.
They both get out and stop on the sidewalk ahead of the three of us.
“What the hell is going on?” I ask, staring right at my brother.
Behind me, I hear the door opening, a little bell ringing and immediately, I feel him. His presence is something I’ve become ineptly aware of, it’s like the air becomes charged and heavy, wrapping around me as if he’s physically holding me.
“If you’re not ready or don’t want to,” Sebastian says, “Then get in the car.”
I blink rapidly, trying to clear the heat that suddenly pools there before I glance behind me and my breath becomes lodged in my throat. Killian is devastating, dressed in an all-black suit, he stands with his hands in his pockets and his eyes so open and clear, I see every flicker of emotion that goes through him.
“You all did this,” I whisper.
Bast nods, “As much as I hate it, I want you to be happy Savannah, but the choice is yours. Either allow Killian the time or I can take you home.”
I look back toward the man who has my heart, “I’ll stay.”
A smile breaks out across Killian’s face that stops my heart right in my chest.
