“Fae fire shots, yes.”The bouncer slid into the booth next to Raven while putting the tray down at the same time.“Do you know how to drink them, sugar bear?”
He looked at Heath, but Raven had a sense that he was addressing the entire table.
“Why don’t you show us?”Jason pulled out his phone and started taking photos.
“Hmm, yes.I can do that.Watch, sugar bears.”
The bouncer picked up one of the flaming glasses, and knocked it back, flame and all, then smiled at them as if he did that kind of thing every day.For all Raven knew, he did.
“There.Who wants to try first?”
Jason leaned against Raven’s shoulder.“Dude.That was unconventionally attractive, don’t you think?By which I mean it was literally hot.”
“I think you’re on your way to being drunk,” Raven said.
Jason nodded against his shoulder.“You’re probably right.That means if you want to dance with me, you better say so now.Before I try drinking fire.”
Heath slapped the flat of his hand on the table.“Nonsense!We can drink or dance or do whatever the fuck we want!Hand me a glass, barkeep!”
“Drinks’re right in front of you, sugar bear.”The bouncer pushed the tray just a little bit closer to Heath.
Heath snorted and reached for a drink.“The service here leaves much to be desired.”He then frowned at the full and fiery shot glass before actually drinking from it, flame and all, then he slammed the empty glass on the table, swallowed, and coughed when the liquor hit him.
Raven reached out, hesitated, then touched Heath’s shoulder.“Hey, maybe we should—”
Heath stole Raven’s champagne and finished the glass.“Excellent!This was excellent.Okay, I’m doing one more, and then we’re all doing one together.”
“There, there.Growing out your chest hair, sugar bear,” the bouncer said.“That’ll suit you.”
Heath tsked.“I still don’t know why you’re here at our table.Or why you called my office.But you can drink with us, I don’t even care anymore.”
I’m not sure Clement put enough water in the car,Raven thought, blowing out the flame hovering over the shot Heath handed him.At least one of them had to remain reasonably sober.
Chapter 37
“My,howthetableshave turned,” Maxim said.
Across the Monopoly board, Clement and Bryan, both near destitute, glowered at him.During the course of the game, the Lares had sidled closer to one another and had even given each other’s fruit baskets approving nods.
“How did you do that?”Bryan asked.
“It’s unlikely for someone to get that lucky with the dice every time,” Clement said.
Maxim gasped in mock shock.“Clement!Are you suggesting that I cheated?I’d not know how.As a hunter, my mind is always clear of such deceitful thoughts.”
Bryan turned to Clement.“I think he cheated.”
“You too, Bryan?”Maxim scratched Ume behind his ears.The Shiba was snoozing away, his head resting on Maxim’s ankle.“I wouldn’t.”
“Hmm.”Bryan crossed his arms.“But you could.”
Maxim raised his brows.“Yet I would not.You have no proof, have you?”
“None, other than our decisive ruin.”
Maxim gestured at the board.“I’m sure the two of you can recover.There are still properties to buy, and it’s not like you have to go to jail every round.Although it looks as though you insist upon it.”
“I’m not sure I like this game anymore,” Clement said.He’d had fewer trips to jail, but he’d been there often enough.
