AllFreeNovel
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As the song finishes, I start clapping along with the crowd.
Zoe looks around the bar before her gaze lands on me. She waves to the crowd before the band starts playing another song. This one is more upbeat.
Zoe dances around, her hips swaying as she sings.
If it’s possible, the crowd falls even more in love with her.
I tap my foot to the beat of the song as I glance around the bar again.
Ava weaves through the people dancing, heading straight for me. Her hands are in her pockets and her shoulders are rolled back.
She looks like a woman ready for battle.
“Evening,” she says as she slides into the other side of the booth, her back to the room. “I think that it’s time you and I had a chat about my baby sister.”
I arch an eyebrow as she leans back in the seat and crosses her arms.
She glances at Zoe and sticks her tongue out at her before turning her attention back to me.
I swivel, going from sitting sideways in the seat to facing Ava.
“You seem like there’s something you want to say to me.” I keep my tone neutral. “Are you sure that right here and right now is where you want to say it?”
Ava leans forward, placing her crossed arms on the table. “Don’t try the intimidating shit with me. I know that you could make me disappear in the blink of an eye if you wanted to. But I also spend my days meeting with men who are far worse than you.”
I chuckle and shake my head. “You really don’t know who you’re dealing with, then.”
“I know exactly who I’m dealing with. You would be amazed at how willing some people are to talk while you’re stitching up their wounds.”
The fierce look she gives me is impressive.
She might walk in the shadow of her family most of the time, but she’s got the balls to sit here without flinching. Hell, Ava doesn’t look scared at all.
“And why is this coming up now? You spend at least one day a week at my home.”
Ava nods toward Zoe. “You think that I want her to overhear this? I don’t want to hurt her. For whatever reason, my sister seems to be falling in love with you. She wants to protect you. What I want is to make sure that she isn’t going to be hurt by you.”
I look over my shoulder as Zoe leans against the guitarist, their backs pressed together as she tilts her head back and sings.
There is no denying the glow and energy that radiates from her every time she steps onto the stage.
“I have no intention of hurting Zoe.”
Ava’s eyes narrow. “But you’re not falling in love with her. Not the way that she is falling in love with you. My sister has a big heart. She might not see the dark side of your life yet. Not in full. But one day she is going to wake up and see everything for what it is.”
“Don’t tell me how I feel about Zoe.” My tone is low and dangerous as I lean toward her. “Never make the mistake of thinking you know exactly what I feel for your sister. “
“I don’t think you even know how you feel about Zoe.”
I’m not about to sit here and prove to Ava that I care for her sister. She’s just going to have to learn that over time. “If you’re done sitting in here and trying to figure out the intricacies of my marriage, you can go.”
Ava shakes her head. “Not yet. You might scare other people, but you should know that there’s going to be hell to pay if you ever hurt my sister. You’re not the only one with the ability to make people disappear.”
The corner of my mouth twitches upward. “And you’re going to be the one to make me disappear? I have a hard time believing that.”
Ava grins, making my stomach lurch.
There is something cold and dangerous in that smile. “I like you right now, Christian. If you hurt my sister, I’m not going to like you very much. I can and will make you disappear. The men I take care of at the prison are loyal to a fault. More than one of them owe me favors.”
