“Oh my God,” I say, bracing my hands on the edge of the bar.“Is she okay?”
“According to Shadow, yes.”
My brows pinch together and I pull my lower lip between my teeth.I already don’t like where this is going.The other night when Della came to visit me, Shadow followed her out of the bar.He claimed he was just making sure she got to her car okay, but I saw the look in his eyes.He was more than intrigued by Maddox’s sister.
“She was with Shadow when she got bit?”
He shakes his head.“No, Shadow was at the ranch when I got the call.He followed the ambulance.”
That piques my curiosity, but before I can question him further, he continues.
“They admitted her.I’ve been trying to call her to see how she’s doing, but she won’t answer the damn phone.”
“Did you try calling the hospital?”
“Yeah.They won’t give me any details without her consent,” he mutters, dragging out a sigh.“She and I aren’t exactly on good terms these days.”
I sensed some tension between them at William’s funeral, but I just figured emotions were high with the loss of the grandfather.But thinking back, Della didn’t seem herself the night she was here either.The thing is, even if I wasn’t consumed by my own drama to notice it then, I probably wouldn’t have asked her any questions.Della and I weren’t teenagers anymore, and even though we kept in contact over the years, we are both out of touch with each other’s lives.
“Ya’ll used to be so close.”
“Yeah, well, things change.”He lifts his glass and polishes off the rest of his drink in one swallow.His reaction to the burn mellows some, and he sets the glass on top of the bar without making a face.“Can I have another?”
My gaze flicks to his empty glass before I glance around the room.The crowd has thinned a bit, and everyone looks like they’re being served.I spot Jess at the other end of the bar, and one of the new hires roams around, checking tables.I’m overdue for a break, and now’s probably my best chance at taking one.
I take his glass and the bottle of whiskey, then turn to Jess.
“Hey, Jess.I’m going to take my break.If it gets busy again, just holler.”
“No problem.”
I bring my eyes back to Maddox and make my way out from behind the bar.
“C’mon, cowboy.Follow me.”
Narrowing his eyes, he slides off the stool.“Where are we going?”
“Somewhere a little quieter.”I lead him to the corner booth at the back of the bar that’s reserved for the Fallen Demons and point to the leather seat across from me.“Sit.”
“Bossy tonight, are you?”he asks as he drops his ass into the booth.“I like it.”
“Flirting won’t get you any favors, cowboy.”I fill his glass and nudge the glass across the table.“Talk to me,” I say.
He stares at me quizzically for a moment, his fingers tracing the rim of the glass.“Is this how you get your customers to share their secrets?”
“Seeing as you haven’t paid me for a drink tonight, technically you’re not a customer.”
“What am I then?”
I contemplate my answer.A week ago, I would’ve probably said he was my enemy, but now I don’t know what he is.I decide to settle for the safest answer.
“A friend.”
It sounds like a lie even to my own ears.
“A friend with benefits?”he taunts, flashing me a grin that doesn’t quite meet his eyes.As quickly as it appears, it fades, and he leans over the table, getting entirely too close for comfort.“I don’t want to be your friend, Amelia.Thought I made myself clear yesterday.”
“All you made clear is that you like fucking me.”
