Neither one of them belongs here. I don’t care if the big bodyguard I hired trails close behind.
“Hold this,” I say to Tanner, who mutters, “Oh, shit,” at the same time.
“I’m not missing this,” my partner says and follows me through the back curtain and down the stairs.
I stand unnoticed for now at the bar, where I hear my mother order a gin and tonic for herself. Faith is looking at the drink menu, then whispers something in my mother’s ear.
“A ménage à trois for my friend,” Savannah says with a grin.
I close my eyes and shake my head. My partners and I know how to make every drink on the menu, and this one includes crushed strawberries, fresh basil, white rum, triple sec, lemon juice, Gomme syrup, and ice, mixed then strained. They can be potent and Faith, despite her obvious nerves—she keeps licking and biting on her pink-coated lips—has trouble written all over her tonight.
I let her take a sip, which translates into too big a gulp, before I decide to show myself.
“Hello, ladies,” I say, walking over to them, which they have to know is inevitable.
“Jason!” Faith’s exclamation is real.
“Hello, son.” My mother waggles her fingers at me, clearly pleased with herself.
“And what are you drinking tonight?” I ask politely, even though I know. I want to watch Faith squirm.
Behind me, Tanner chuckles.
“A gin and tonic. You know my drink of choice.” My mother shoots me a smile and takes a delicate sip.
“Faith? What is that in your glass?” I ask.
Her cheeks flame a bright red. “A ménage à trois. Want one?” she asks, finding her cheekiness despite her embarrassment.
“How about you finish your drinks and head home, where it’s safe?” I suggest, keeping my anger in check. I left them protected. Yet here they are.
Faith takes a deliberately big sip before answering. “I have my very own bodyguard that you hired yourself. You obviously trust him. There’s no reason I can’t have a good time tonight.” And with that, she downs the rest of her drink and places the glass on the bar. “I think I’ll find someone to dance with.”
“I’ll join y…” At the look on my face, which I know is furious, my mother’s words trail off. “I think I’ll stay with Jack, that’s what you said your name was in the car earlier, right?” she asks of the bodyguard.
“Yes, ma’am.” The man doesn’t crack a smile. He takes his job seriously.
“Do not move from here,” I instruct my mother before heading after Faith.
She had a head start and is already on the dance floor and has found a willing partner. A definite Wall Street type with slicked-back hair, a white shirt, sleeves rolled up, and an arrogant look on his face, he has just reached out and put his hand on Faith’s waist.
I think I’m going to have an aneurysm. Blindly, I step forward, grab the man’s arm, and swing him away. “She’s with me.”
The other guy narrows his gaze, his face flushed with embarrassment as he fixes his shirt, brushing out wrinkles. “Relax, man. If she’s yours, keep her on a leash,” he mutters andwalks away, which is smart because I’m still raging with anger that another man has touched her.
“Are you happy?” I ask Faith. “Did you get what you came for tonight?” Because no doubt she wanted a rise out of me after being ignored… and I gave her one.
A sad expression crosses her face. “Not at all, Jason. Your mother wanted to come. Once I was here, I just decided to have a good time. I haven’t been out like someone my own age in over a year. It had nothing to do with you.” Turning her back to me, she starts for the bar.
“Faith.”
She spins back.
“Like hell it had nothing to do with me.” I pause, knowing we need to have this out, even if it is in the wrong place at the wrong time. Even if people are watching. “I needed space, so sue me.”
She braces her hands on her hips, her gaze narrowing. “I needed fun. So sueme.” She takes a step away.
I grasp her around her waist and fling her over my shoulder, striding back toward the private area upstairs.
