AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He chuckled, appreciating that. Then he paused. “I see. And are you sure I’m the first man you approached tonight?”
“Yes. Why?”
“Because there’s a man to our right who looks like he would gladly kill me with his eyes.”
Her head whipped around, where she found dark brown eyes focused on her with a laser intensity that quivered her insides. She felt something dark, even when his expression remained unreadable. Then his gaze flicked to Justice and transformed into something resembling ice. Pearl held in a shiver. Outwardly, she waved a dismissive hand, then rested it on top of Justice’s hand. The chilly air turned chillier.
“Ah, that’s Henry Lyra.”
“I know who he is,” Justice mused good-naturedly.
“He’s a client, not my keeper. Ignore him.”
She did just that when she glimpsed the woman nudging Henry and leaning in to get his attention back. Her mood sizzled at the challenge as she leaned toward Justice, too, whispering the same old nonsense in his ear. Justice whispered back, each word getting dirtier. Frustration surged that none of it affected her at all, her body remaining unresponsive to the man’s showered affections. When Justice’s mouth brushed her cheek, she stilled.
“Do you want to head somewhere where we can…talk some more? I want to hear your voice more clearly. I want to shower you with gifts, too, because someone as beautiful as you deserves beauty showered on them.”
Oh, the man knew how to operate, and she could imagine women falling for the romance talk and eagerly walking out of the bar with him. But a protest rose inside her, clawing at her guts until she couldn’t breathe.
“That’s nice and all…but can I say no this time?”
Amazement glissaded in the man’s features. He raised a brow and pursed his lips, catching on to how she could see right through him.
“Sure, you can. I can also change the offer if you’re just in need of a night in my bed to forget about your troubles. I promise you that I’m very good at making women forget.”
She grinned at his boldness, then gave a mock salute with her glass.
“Tempting. But Justice?”
“Yes?”
“Scratch off the romance aspect. It’s sleazy to promise women more than what you can offer and break their hearts after. We both know you just want to fuck, and I’m sure you can have that with a few honest words. No one gets hurt in the end.”
Justice blinked at her. A smile broke from his lips. “You’re something else, Pearl.”
“Thanks.”
“I hope the lucky bastard who’s on your mind knows that.”
Her grin dimmed, but she managed not to frown as she shrugged offhandedly.
“It’s his loss if he doesn’t.”
To his credit, the man didn’t leave her right away, choosing to indulge in a few more drinks and offering one last invite. When she declined again, he finally moved on. Pearl watched him go, then looked around for her sister. Her mouth nearly dropped open when she spotted Henry and Moon standing close together with no hint of animosity between them. Instead, the two talked casually, and whatever Henry said had Moon chuckling.
“Traitor,” she hissed under her breath, then tracked the blonde woman as she made her way back to Henry with more drinks. The darkened feeling inside her changed to something more tangible. Abruptly, Pearl stood up, unable to take it anymore. A minute or two later, she finally found Ruby. “I’m leaving.”
Ruby blinked mid-drink. “Without a man or a drink?”
“I’ve had my drinks and men are disgusting. No offense,” she added, glancing at Maddox. He shrugged.
“None taken.”
“Goodnight, sis. Don’t tire out Mad too much, and don’t be too loud when you get home with Moon. Maybe use a magical muffler for your screams.” The teasing words had Maddox choking on his drink. “Oh, and keep an eye on Moon. Teresa’s getting interested and she’s old enough to be his grandmother.”
That was enough to keep them distracted and clear her for a hasty exit. She was out of the bar in no time and relatively unnoticed—until a figure blocked her path to the rest. Pearl looked up.
“I know you. You’re the witch who likes to have fun.”
