“I swear it was him, but maybe it wasn’t. What if I’m going crazy, Logan? I’m seeing things now?” I asked him, placing my head against his chest as he held me.
“If you say you saw him, I believe you. Do you want to go?” Right as he asked, Poe placed my drink in front of me. It smelled so good. Cinnamon and orange. I inhaled it before taking a sip of the foamy drink. The flavor was robust and compact in the small glass. It was delicious. I think I just found my favorite bar.
Poe made the place too. He gave the vibe of a gothic poet, all while holding his head high. Every move he made was smooth and graceful. The bar was named Raven. Everything started to click together. It was a bar based on Edgar Allen Poe, and the bartender must own it. Jeez, I was slow some days.
“No, I want to stay. I’m having fun.”
“Whatever you want,” Logan pulled out the stool again, and right as he sat down, Officer Cortez walked through the door. “What the fuck is he doing here?”
Maria gave Gabriel a happy smile and jumped on him, giving him a bear hug. He gave her a quick kiss on the lips, and Logan tried to stand, but I pushed him back down. “Cool it. Let her be happy if you aren’t going to do anything about it.”
“Who said I wasn’t?” Logan watched the couple like a hawk.
“Then I guess you have some competition.” I leaned back and enjoyed my drink. The attention was off me now, and I was going to relish in it. Well, I was relishing in it until Godrick walked through the door. I snapped my head toward Logan and narrowed my eyes. “Are you kidding me? You told him?”
“Of course, I did.”
“I thought you were on my side.” So much for having a night to myself.
“I am on your side. Always, but Godrick deserves to know what happened to you. He wants to be there for you. Why won’t you let him?”
“Why don’t you take your own advice for Maria? Don’t bark at me about what I should do when you don’t do it!” I kept my voice low but ended each word with a bite.
“Who bought you this?” Godrick asked as he took the drink right out of my hand, leaving me gaping.
I snatched it out of his hand. “It doesn’t matter.”
“It does. I buy my woman drinks, no one else.”
“Brian was here,” Logan said.
“Logan!”
“What? He deserves to know. He deserves to know that he slapped you today too. Right across the fucking cheek.”
“He did what!” Godrick roared, slamming my drink on the counter. The stem broke off, and my drink spilled again.
My shoulders sagged. “Really? Come on. I just wanted a night out.” I felt a little betrayed. I knew if Logan reached out to Godrick, Godrick would control everything. I liked it, don’t get me wrong, but I didn’t feel like I had control over any aspect of my life right now. All I wanted was one night.
A few drinks.
And I couldn’t even have that.
“Poe? Can I have another?” I asked my new favorite bartender, and his brown eyes landed on Godrick.
“Mr. Stoneridge, it’s good to see you again.” Poe held out his hand for a shake, and Godrick met it. “Thank you for the business loan. Expect the first payment in two weeks.”
“Anytime, my friend.”
Of course, they had to be in business together too. How would Godrick feel if he knew Poe bought my drink? Now that I knew Godrick and Poe were in business together, I didn’t want to come back to the bar.
Godrick turned my face left and right to analyze me. “It doesn’t look bad, but I’ll kill him for putting his hands on you, baby.”
“You can’t see anything because I covered them all with makeup.”
“Maria, shut up,” I hissed slowly through closed teeth. This night was going so well.
“All?” Godrick said. “That’s it; we are leaving.” Godrick lifted me off the stool, and into his arms, and then tossed me over his shoulder like the caveman that he was.