“That’s called flirting.” Her teasing smile doesn’t cut through my frown. “And there’s nothing wrong with it.”
“No, that’s called bullshit, and it doesn’t happen if you belong to me.”
“Belong to you? How did a simple kiss turn into me belonging to you?”
“Because you and I both know it won’t end with a kiss, and whatever this is between us isn’t simple.” I cup her hip. “I knew it from the first time in the office when you were slamming the shit outta that safe—and I think you did too.”
“Maybe.”
“No maybe. Remember you were the one who came on to me,” I remind her.
Her gaze cuts to the left. “Right, after a few shots of bourbon and a run-in with Viper.”
“Don’t blame it on the bourbon. And don’t put my name in the same sentence as Viper.” I tuck my forefinger under her chin, forcing her to look at me.
“You didn’t put up too much of a fight.”
“You are everything I don’t need right now.”
“If that’s your come-on line, it really needs work.”
I huff out a soft laugh. “And you got a ballsy sense of humor that lights me up.”
“Really?” She licks her lower lip, and I can almost taste her sweetness.
I dip my chin, and she shivers slightly. She angles her head, and I feel her breath against my face.
“Never felt like this before, Cinzia.”
Her eyes widen, and her lips part. I wrap both hands around her waist as our lips touch, and we both jolt apart.
“What was that?” Sammie whispers.
“I don’t know.” I pull the gun out of the waist of my jeans and instinctively put her behind me. “It came from downstairs. Stay here.”
She flails her arm at the busted door hanging off its hinges. “No way. I’m going with you.”
In five large steps, I’m at the door. She’s right. I smashed it so hard, I can barely right it.
“Then stay up here and let me see what’s going on.”
“I’m not staying up here by myself.”
“Geez, fuck, woman. You are a pain in my ass.”
“Not what you said two seconds ago.”
I narrow my eyes, but it doesn’t make her back down. “Just stay behind me.”
She nods, and I know that’s all I’ll get as agreement.
Every creak of the wooden stairs under my boots fires up another nerve. When we reach the bottom, I stop and turn to her. “I’m not fuckin’ around. Stay here.” I’m shocked when she nods.
I enter the hallway, and glass crunches under my heel. I press my back against the wall and inch my way to the main room. The single light under the bar glistens over more broken glass. When I get to the end of the hallway, I pause, adjust my position, then reach around and hit the main light switch Shady just installed.
The room explodes with light, and it takes a few seconds for my eyes to adjust. I do a silent count and spin around the wall, gun cocked and ready. I take in the whole room. Empty. I advance over the newly installed wood flooring still littered with random cuts of planking. I cover every inch, then turn to see Sammie inspecting the damage behind the bar.
“Crazy, they only broke some of the glasses.”
