This wasthebar for every villain in the city—designed to be neutral ground. If something did happen and I needed to step in, I’d ruin the only safe spot in the city for people like us. Not to mention I’d blow my secret identity by turning myself into Avalanche in front of all these people.
So I was watching Eva shamelessly flirt with Violet, trying to piss me off (it was working), for literally no reason.
I was stupid.
I made my way over to the far corner of Crossroads so I could hide in my shadows. They could bring me her conversation from where I was sitting, but I wanted to be close. Hiding was better.
“I should get going but it was very nice to meet you, Miss Hayes. I hope to hear from you soon,” Weaver said as he stood up. He looked over to Eva. “If I could cover my new friend’s tab, please?”
“That’s very kind, John, but unnecessary.”
John? What the fuck? We’re just throwing around our names now?
“I insist. It’s not often that someone takes the time to talk to me. I appreciate your time and your kindness.”
“In that case I accept.” She smiled turning to Eva. “Only five, please. Tall, dark, and arrogant stole one of my drinks and I intend to have him pay for it.”
Eva’s lips twitched into a half smile. She liked that one.
“Who? I’ll make him.” Even with my superpowers, I was a little terrified of the look The Weaver got in his eyes.
Violet smiled. “That’s okay. I can handle him on my own.” Back to Eva. “Five please.”
“Of course. Sir, if you’ll follow me to the register, I’ll close you out.”
Once they were on the other side of the bar, I made sure no one was looking and stepped out of my shadows.
“How did it go?”
Violet jumped. “I wish you’d stop sneaking up on me.”
“But you’re adorable when you jump like that.”
That was creepy.Stupid.She snorted.
“Your flirting could use some work. Maybe ask the bartender to give you some tips.”
And my scowl was back. “I wasn’t flirting. And I certainly don’t needthe bartender’shelp to flirt if I was.”
She spun her stool around to lean her elbows on the bar, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
“No? Could have fooled me.”
I stepped closer, leaning over her with both hands next to her elbows on the counter. My face hovered in front of hers as she looked up at me.
“If I was flirting with you, you’d know it, Nightshade,” I whispered.
I couldn’t tell you where the nickname came from or why it slipped out of my mouth so easily, but it suited her. A poisonous flower. Beautiful, dangerous, potentially deadly. Something she was slowly becoming the longer I spent in her presence.
Because I hadn’t imagined it the first night in the alley, I hadn’t mistaken my adrenaline for warmth. I was feeling it again, right here in this moment. Something about being close to her allowed the ice in my veins to thaw, and I needed to know what.
I needed to know why.
That was a distraction,shewas a distraction, and in my line of work, distractions were dangerous—potentially deadly.
For a second, we just stood there. Her breathing laboured, lips parting ever so slightly. I was in the same condition. The music, the voices, and the clanking glasses all faded away into nothing. All I could hear was her breathing, all I could feel was the heat, all I could focus on was the way she was looking at me.
Her hand rose to my chest and my skin burned under my shirt.
