Page 27 of Bitter Spirits

Sharing might not be wise, but she couldn’t see another way to get the information without giving more away. If Locke didn’t like it, she had no doubt he’d shut things down, but until he did…

“He was throwing around power that wasn’t his to play with.”

Even with the candle’s muted lighting, there was no missing the way Nova’s face blanched. “That’s impossible.”

Isa raised her brows. “I’m just sharing what she told me, and she’s not one to lie.” She gave Nova a minute to process before adding, “She also said he was sharing this pill with others, and, girl, if this does to them what she said it did to him, unwanted attention is going to be beating down our doors.”

Nova’s attention shifted to the crowd as she picked up her glass and took a healthy swallow.

Unwilling to let her wiggle off the hook, Isa dug in a little deeper. “I have to know, Nova.”

Nova flicked her a glance. “Know what?”

“If this is a one-off. If so, then I can relax, but if not, I need to be prepared because I’m not willing to lose my business over someone’s Frankensteined party favors. So, from one friend to another, do I have reason to be concerned?”

Nova set her glass back on the table and met Isa’s gaze. “You know I stay out of that shit, Isa.”

Something in Nova’s voice made Isa’s pulse tick up. “I know, but that doesn’t make you deaf or blind.”

Nova’s lips tightened as she drummed her fingers against the table. “Haven’t seen anything, but I might have heard a couple rumblings about something new,” she said, her voice tight. “But you know how it goes.” She gave an uncomfortable shrug. “Some stray comes in looking to make a name by showing off a juicy new bone—it doesn’t take the big dogs long to catch a scent. And once they do, they’re all over it.”

At Nova’s roundabout confirmation that Leo had been playing well above his level, the knots in Isa’s gut tightened. “And the strays?”

Nova’s fingers stilled as she stared at Isa intently. “You know how territorial he can be.”

Isa fought her flinch and swallowed down the resulting nausea. “Yeah, I know.”

Nova folded her arms on the table’s top and leaned in, her grim gaze searching Isa’s face. “So, again, chica, may I suggest, highly, you grab your treat and beat feet before he catches wind of your scent and latches on?”

Gods, I want to. Unfortunately, the reason she couldn’t was counting on her for some answers. “I intend to, but whatever this product is, it’s dangerous. I don’t want it in my bar, especially if he’s got anything to do with it.”

“You can’t take him on, Isa. You tried that, remember?” Nova snapped, fear and frustration breaking through her thin layer of callousness.

Through sheer will, Isa held her casual pose even as a little voice in the back of her head urged her to run fast and hard. “You know me—I can’t exactly stand aside and do nothing. Not if he’s setting something loose on these kids.”

Sympathy flickered through Nova’s face. “They aren’t your responsibility.”

“They belong to someone.”

“Then let someone deal with it.”

Isa winced.

Sighing, Nova reached across the table and squeezed Isa’s fist. “Girl, your heart is in the right place, but be smart. You barely got free last time. I’m not so sure your luck will hold a second time around.”

Neither am I.

Nova held Isa’s gaze. “Let it go.” She paused for a heartbeat. “Don’t make the mistake of walking back into his web.”

The problem was, Isa wasn’t sure she’d ever really escaped Angel—not when those sticky ties kept dragging her back in. But Nova was waiting.

“I’m not planning on it,” Isa said.

Relief swept through Nova’s face, easing the worried lines. “Good.” She let Isa go and moved back, preparing to leave. “Now, as much as I loved seeing you, I gotta get back to work before Mandi comes looking for me.”

Isa dredged up a smile. “Thanks for making time.”

Nova’s smile turned surprisingly sweet as she picked up her glass. “It really was good to see you, Isa. Maybe next time, I’ll take a seat at your bar.”