Page 45 of Cold Mercy

I step into the bar and spot Evelyn already seated, waving at me like we’re on a date. I don’t see Moreau. My chest tightens for reasons I refuse to analyze, but I sit down.

Evelyn is talking, but she sounds miles away.

“So is Moreau going to grace us with her presence?” she asks.

“I don’t know. Probably she's too busy hiding from her own life decisions to deal with it.”

Evelyn studies me like she’s mapping out all the lies on my skin.

“You’re not telling me everything.” She’s about to say more when she glances behind me.

“Well… I think your widow just walked in.”

Ten minutes late. Wearing a plain T-shirt and a jacket long enough to cover her completely. Even from this angle I can tell she’s carrying. Great choice, Moreau. Start handing weapons out on Halloween to kids, because why not? I feel Evelyn’s eyes on me as I look at Sophia.

CHAPTER 9

SOPHIA

The moment I walk into the bar, the first thing I see is Reed’s shoulders and a blonde woman sitting across from him. She looks like the type who’d already have his ring on her finger and a baby shower planned. He turns just enough to catch my eyes, and I look away instantly. I can’t even stand the sight of him right now. I scan them and see the empty seat is next to him, across from his… whatever she is. Fine. If I have to choose, I’d rather sit beside the devil I know than the one batting her lashes at him.

I don’t give them a chance to say a word.

“Who the hell are you?” My voice is sharp, and I don’t tone it down.

How do I know she's not some cop? Or some girl who’ll do anything for attention and is helping the same people who killed Noah?

Blondie straightens immediately, offended.

“Excuse me? Maybe try being polite?”

Polite? Lady, that was polite.

“I’m not sitting with strangers I know nothing about.” I nod toward Reed without even looking at him. “One problem is fucking enough, and he's sitting right here.”

He gives me a look full of pure hatred.

“Calm down, Moreau, someone’s trying to help you. This is a friend of mine who got the files we need. And stop dragging a gun everywhere like it’s a toy. You didn’t need it today.”

Unbelievable. I’d shoot myself before letting him lecture me.

“I’ll carry whatever I want, whenever I want.” I sit down hard and glare at him.

“And one bullet is saved with your name on it, Reed.”

The blonde looks annoyed, then slips on a sugary smile.

“Small correction, sweetheart. I’m Thomas’s ex, Evelyn. And yes, I have the files, but you need to say the magic word, ‘please.’”

She knows his taste, she knows his touch. You’re just a girl who wants too much.

I stare at her, then at him. I can’t believe this idiot dragged his ex here just to shove it in my face. What are we, five? Should we move this to a cemetery so we can settle it over Noah’s grave? Better energy for the whole ‘exes and trauma’ thing.

“Haha, I’m out.” I push up from the seat. “Enjoy each other.”

But Thomas grabs my wrist and yanks me right back down next to him.

“Sit, for fuck's sake.”