Page 27 of Cole

Ryan held up his hands in mock surrender, vacating the stool next to me.

“Your loss, pumpkin,” he said with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. He wandered away as I took a sip of my rum and Coke.

“Thanks for that,” I said to Ash.

He nodded, watching Ryan go. “Like I said, the guys here don’t play around. It’s not a fun place for a woman alone.”

“Asher, stop scaring her away!” a youthful voice said, and once again, the stool beside me filled up. This time with a familiar face: Finn. His energy, reminiscent of the eagerness of a labrador puppy and about as much finesse, was back in full force. I could only guess Cole wasn’t around tonight to rain on his parade.

“I was wondering if you’d come back. Do you remember me from the other night?” he asked, giving me a hopeful grin.

“Sure I do, you’re the young one,” I teased him.

“I am not!” he protested.

“Well, you’re younger than most of the guys in here,” I said.

“You’re pretty young too… anyway, does that bother you?” he asked, giving me a flirtatious grin. I nearly choked on my drink.

I coughed a few times, struggling to get my breath. Rosie’s son was going to be a real charmer when he was older. For now, it was just awkward.

“Your name was Belle, right?” Finn forged on.

Ash frowned at me. I coughed awkwardly again and came clean before he could interrupt. “Actually, it’s Isabelle.”

Finn amped up the charm. “That fits you.” He leaned even closer.

“And Finn fits you. Seems like you’re pretty at home here. The boss lets you hang out, even though you’re not twenty-one?” I asked. I needed to get back to trying to get info from him.

Finn grinned, proud to be in the know. “The boss? Yeah. Cole owns the place and runs the club.” His smile slipped. “There’s no chance he’ll let me forget it.” This kid definitely had some pent-up anger toward the man in charge, and I could use that. Probably because he was going around and embarrassing him when he was trying to look cool in front of the ladies.

“Runs the club?” I asked, playing dumb.

Finn puffed up his chest. “The Harbor Hounds. This is our bar, and Cole is in charge. No one moves around here without his say-so.”

“So, do I need his permission to be here? He seemed to say last time that I had to be with a member to show up,” I sighed, acting sadder than I really felt.

“Bullshit. Random bachelorette parties come through all the time. But I can say you’re with me if you want,” he replied, leaning against the bar. “Can I get you something?”

Pointing out he was an underage kid in a bar where he shouldn’t be would only humiliate him, so instead, I shook my head and grabbed my barely-touched cocktail off the counter.

“So, you are part of the Harbor Hounds?” I asked. “What is it that you do?”

“In the shop?” he asked, lifting his chin toward the door where Cole entered. “Or in the club?”

“Both,” I answered and gave an encouraging smile.

Finn’s eyes darted around and then back to me. “Let’s just say that we get people what they need. No questions asked.”

“Like what?” I asked, my heart pounding. Finn seemed like he liked to feel important and show off. I had a real chance of getting information out of him that Cole Bailey would never divulge.

He shrugged. “I shouldn’t talk about that,” he said, his eyes darting around the bar nervously.

“But you are talking about it,” I reminded playfully. “You don’t have to worry. I won’t repeat anything.”

He smirked. “I have a feeling you’re dangerous.” He checked his watch and frowned. His whole demeanor changed.

“I need to get going,” he suddenly announced. “I’ll, uh, see you next time, Isabelle.”