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“Sure. Yes, a grade A asshole.”

Avel retracted his claws and released his hold on Eric, who sagged away and slid along the booth.

He wasn’t certain this asshole would change, but Eric might think twice when he saw the scars on his arms left by Avel’s claws. It should make him pause before he found his next conquest and broke her just as he’d done Holly.

Avel slid from the booth and stood. “Get out of here before we decide to keep chatting.”

Eric scrambled out, clutching his arm. He glared at them before hurrying away.

Avel nodded at Iska as he slid back into the booth. “Thanks for being my wingman.”

“No problem. That was fun.”

Avel wiped Eric’s blood off his fingers. “We might have saved a few women from that moron and his buddies.”

“Let’s hope so. But the only woman you need to think about now is Holly.”

Avel sucked in a breath and let it out slowly. He would make things right with Holly. He’d gotten it so wrong. He had to hope he wasn’t too late, and she still might consider having him in her life.

His gaze went to the bar, and he saw Eric downing a whiskey, a glower on his face as he shot a glare their way. “I’ve got an idea.”

Iska flicked his tail behind him. “That look in your eyes is almost chilling me.”

Avel grinned. “Eric! Come over here.”

Eric’s eyes widened, and he pointed at his chest.

Avel nodded.

Iska tilted his head. “What are you up to?”

Avel smiled at him. “Winning back Holly.”

Chapter 21

Holly yawned and blinked her tired eyes. The lights in the kitchen seemed too bright today.

Her scattered dreams had been full of the angry words she’d yelled at Avel in the dining hall. Now her anger had faded, she recognized that Avel’s offer hadn’t been that bad. He’d wanted to make her free from debt and stop her from having anything to do with Eric. That was a win-win all around.

Holly still couldn’t figure out why he’d offered that. But putting conditions on his offer had freaked her out. She’d remembered all the times Eric had promised her something if she lost weight, or changed the style of her hair, or worn that flimsy, scratchy underwear that used to ride up her butt. She’d thrown the offer back at Avel and assumed he was the same as Eric.

She grabbed an icing bag and squeezed. A jet of butter-cream icing flew through the air and landed on the floor, right by Sally’s foot.

Sally scooped the icing up in a cloth and tossed it in the trash. “Interesting aim you’ve got there.”

Holly bit her lip. “Sorry. I’ve been a bit distracted this morning.”

“I’ve been meaning to talk to you about your distraction.” Sally lifted a tray of cupcakes and held them out. “Why are you sending me cupcakes iced with broken hearts?”

Holly stared at the cakes and blinked. “I didn’t. I mean, I don’t remember doing that.” She turned and looked at the cupcakes she was working on. They all had the same design. Hearts cracked into two, in vanilla-cream icing.

Sally placed the tray down. “It’s a creative design, but I’m not sure the customers want to eat cakes that suggest sadness. Our food should inspire happiness and contentment, not conjure images of lost love. What’s going on?”

Holly sighed. “It’s Avel. He made me an offer.”

“What kind of offer?”

“To be debt free.”