Page 70 of Hard Bargain

Logan leaned closer. “That guy’s walking straight at us.”

“Yeah,” Knox said quietly.

Miguel exhaled. “He looks dangerous.”

“He is.”

By the time Cassian reached the bar, his grin was still in place. “Well,” he said. “This is unexpected.”

Knox kept his tone even. “Is it?”

“Little bit.” His eyes drifted to Miguel and Logan, assessing without being obvious about it. Miguel straightened and Logan gave a polite nod, unsure whether this was friendly or not.

Cassian leaned one elbow against the bar and looked back at Knox. “What brings you into my favorite corner of the city?”

Knox shrugged one shoulder. “Needed a drink.”

“You could’ve had one anywhere.”

“Thought I’d expand my horizons,” Knox said.

“Did you.” Cassian’s mouth curved around the words.

Knox held his gaze. “Yeah.”

Miguel shifted beside him, clearly aware something was happening beneath the surface but not sure what. Logan watched with open curiosity, like this had just become more interesting than the stage.

Cassian studied him a second longer, then pushed off the bar. “Well,” he said, lifting a hand to the bartender. “Let’s make sure the horizon’s worth expanding.”

He ordered four shots without asking. The glasses arrived quickly, lined up between them. Cassian handed them out with a grin. “To new experiences.”

Logan laughed. “Now that’s a toast.”

Knox downed it in one swallow, the burn sharp and grounding.

Cassian wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, then looked properly at the other two. “Cassian,” he said, offering his hand, before leaning back against the bar and sliding seamlessly into conversation.

Knox stood half-present, half-aware of the entrance without meaning to be.

“Relax,” Cassian said after a while. “The door’s not going anywhere.”

Knox didn’t react fast enough.

Miguel frowned. “What?”

Cassian’s smile deepened. “Your friend here’s been checking the door every thirty seconds.”

“I haven’t,” Knox said evenly.

“Mm.” Cassian tilted his head. “You have.”

Logan glanced toward the door, then back at Knox. “Are you expecting someone?”

Knox met Cassian’s gaze instead. “No.”

Cassian watched him, clearly enjoying the denial. “Don’t worry. He’ll be here any minute now.”

Heat instantly climbed Knox’s neck.