22
Nightshade squeezedinto the corner booth, tucked up as close as she could manage to Merc’s side without being indiscreet. Flat screen TVs nearly the size of the wall filled up every empty space even though what was being shown on TV was drowned out by loud music pumped continuously through multiple overhead speakers.
Their waitress approached in a black and white pinstripe outfit resembling a referee. “What can I get you to drink?” Obviously used to working here, she yelled out the question in order to be heard.
The guys and Kate ordered a round of beers. Celine ordered something called Pinot Grigio.
Nightshade swallowed, suddenly nervous. She'd never had a drop of alcohol before. Having lived and trained in a government facility her whole life, the strongest thing she’d had was Gatorade. But there was one thing she'd always wanted to try. “I'll take a glass of champagne.”
The waitress popped her bubble gum, gave her a wink and sauntered off to the long bar stretched across the far wall crowded with men hunched over chrome and red leather stools.
Merc placed his arm around her practically enveloping her, but Nightshade didn't mind in the least. The sports bar was loud, smelly, and packed – and she loved it.
Merc leaned down and whispered in her ear, his hot breath sending chill bumps racing across her neck. “Figured you usually go out to fancy places. Thought you might like to see how the rest of us live.”
That would probably be true for Caroline, who undoubtedly frequented five star restaurants. But since Nightshade spent 95% of her life secluded from the rest of the world, she couldn't imagine anything better. “Are you calling me a snob?”
He dipped a finger under her chin, and that small touch fanned the fire burning low in her belly. “I'd never call you that, not when you can apparently handle a rifle as well as any of my men.”
His praise sent a rush of pleasure through her, warming her even more. If she wasn't careful, she'd be climbing in his lap in front of everyone.
She laughed and faced the rest of the group, needing to break the spell Merc constantly held her under. Kate and Ethan grinned at them like idiots, but Nightshade refused to let them see her embarrassment. Ethan had his arm just as tight around Kate as Merc did around her.
Aaron was the same, but not Celine. Her face was pale, and she was staring at Nightshade in shock.
“What? Is something wrong?”
Celine shook her head no, but her parted lips and wide eyes said otherwise.
Nightshade glanced over her shoulder but there was nothing except a wall behind her. Merc had the same confused expression on his face. Finally, Aaron broke the silence. “It's the champagne.”
“What about it?” Maybe she wasn’t supposed to order champagne in a place like this. Maybe she should’ve ordered a beer like the others.
Aaron nudged Celine. “Talk to her.”
“I just can't believe you want to drink that stuff ever again after we were drugged with it in the limo.” She shuddered and Aaron rubbed her arm trying to comfort her.
Nightshade’s heart plummeted. She'd known the limo driver had drugged the girls before they were kidnapped at Caroline’s wedding, but she didn't know he’d used champagne to do it. Had she screwed up completely? Celine was acting as if she'd been scarred for life against champagne and maybe Caroline was too.
“It's okay, Celine. I think maybe Caroline's not as bothered by it as you were,” Merc said.
Nightshade was grateful for his reasonable response. Surely one little sip wouldn’t affect a person to that extreme, would it?
“Yeah, I'm sorry. Just the thought of it now turns my stomach. Please forget I said anything.” Nightshade could barely hear Celine over the music but could tell her apology was genuine.
Aaron placed a soft kiss on Celine’s forehead, obviously concerned for her. Nightshade felt like she should say something else and opened her mouth, but she caught Kate watching her and slammed her lips shut.
Her excitement to try champagne for the first time took a nosedive. Deciding the safest course was to avoid everyone, she studied the napkin on the table. Merc rubbed her arm reassuringly, but that didn't bring the comfort it had before.
Nightshade was responsible for what had happened to Celine. She'd helped set up the kidnapping, although she’d specifically requested they only take Caroline. Celine had become an innocent bystander, and from the shadows lurking in her eyes, Nightshade knew the other girl had yet to fully recover from the trauma.
She was struck once again by how far her plans for revenge had trickled out into other people's lives.
The waitress returned with all their drinks. She plopped down a clear tall stemmed glass right in front Nightshade, its contents bubbling and beautiful, but all she could taste was the sour bitterness of guilt. She reached instead for her glass of water, purposely ignoring alcohol.
There was a lull in the loud music and a familiar voice came through the TV a few feet away. She looked over and was surprised to see Cotter's smiling face on the screen. He was standing at a podium in his backyard in front of a group of people holding recording devices and cameras.
“I am happy to report that Caroline has been returned home, safe and sound. Special thanks to the United States Special Forces for their assistance in this maneuver.”
