Where Lightning Strikes (Bleeding Stars #3)(8)

Good God.

These guys were nothing but a pack of trouble. All except for Zee, who stepped up with an affectionate shake of his head, as if he were apologizing for the company he kept but wouldn’t have it any other way. He gave me a quick hug.

“Nice to see you again, Tamar.”

“Good to see you, too.”

He headed for the secluded booth Sebastian had first claimed then Sunder had made their own.

Shea called, “Thank you,” as Sebastian began pulling her toward the booth. Ash was all too keen to follow.

Lyrik seemed slow to conform as he cast me one more unsettling glance over his shoulder, as if he was making sure to drag my attention with him.

To torture me a little more.

Forcing myself back behind the bar, I filled three rocks glasses half-full with Jager.

The pour of the thick, dark liquid reminded me of the promise in Lyrik’s eyes. A tempting, seductive vow of a night filled with delicious, carnal fun.

But that promise came with the consequence of a nasty hangover in the morning.

I did the same with Sebastian Stone’s ridiculously expensive tequila he liked to drink and grabbed a bottle of water for Shea, then arranged everything on a tray. I wove back through the growing crowd.

Ash grinned up at me as I passed out the shots. “Ah…never thought I’d say it, but it is good to be back in Savannah. Tell me, Tam Tam, have these walls been missing me? How about those ladies? Tell me they’ve been asking for me. You know once I make an appearance, the place isn’t ever gonna be the same.”

I rolled my eyes. “Hardly. Half the female population is scarred from your last appearance.”

“Oh come now. Don’t act like you don’t know my presence just makes everything better.” The dimples in his cheeks deepened. “Kind of like bacon. Put it on a burger. Better. Put it on a salad. Better. Spread Ash around. Better.”

I couldn’t help it. Laughter escaped, all incredulous and full of disbelief, but there, nonetheless.

“See…” he prodded like he’d just proven a new theorem, “better. Admit you missed me.”

“Okay, okay, if it’ll shut you up then I’ll gladly cop to missing you.”

Ash was the first to lift his glass. “To Baz and Beautiful Shea, two people who love each other so much they think they need to get married twice.”

Zee laughed, Lyrik grinned.

“But for real…the two of you?” Ash continued, “You’ve got something good. Don’t ever give it up.”

Don’t ever give it up.

The words rang through my mind, and a flash of sadness threatened to swallow me whole and take me under. I squeezed my eyes closed, lifted my glass, and threw back the shot. A fiery burn rolled hot down my throat, wrapping me like a warm blanket as it settled in my belly.

Soothing the rough edges that kept trying to fray.

I refused to give in to the memories that raved in the depths of my conscious where I’d left them, struggling to find their way out. For four years, I’d done just fine. I’d stepped into the shoes of the girl I wanted to be and shunned it all.

The past was the past. I needed to leave it there.

But all that fear was fighting for a rebound.

I was no fool. I knew why. The proof of it was in the Facebook message I’d received two months ago on my inactive account. It was one I’d seen during a weak moment. Swamped in loneliness and regret, I’d signed on with my IP address turned off.

I’d just needed a glimpse of my family. To be reminded of their faces. To catch a hint of their voices.

To feel as if I were a part of their lives when I’d torn myself from it four years before.

As if those crumbs could ever be enough.

But it was the waiting message that had literally dropped me to my knees.

We need your help. We understand your hesitation, but we need any information you can give us on Cameron Lucan. Please contact me as soon as possible.

As much as I kept trying to pretend it didn’t matter, that my getting involved wouldn’t change a thing, those thoughts kept creeping back in.

Prodding.

Goading.

Spurring.

Forcing me to look behind at a past I’d done everything to forget.

Add Lyrik into the mix?

I could feel fissures splintering my walls, that firm foundation crumbling beneath my feet.

Giving them my best smile, I glanced over my shoulder. “Looks like Charlie is getting slammed. Better rescue the old man before things start to get ugly over there. I’ll send one of the servers over to make sure you’re all taken care of.”

“Thanks, Tamar.” Shea looked at me as if she were apologizing I couldn’t stay, when in truth, I couldn’t wait to get away.

I got back to work, letting myself get lost in the vibe, the urgency I fed on as darkness covered the room and the country band played on, quick to sling drinks and even quicker to shoot down advances from overly friendly men.

Maybe it was wrong it made me feel strong. As if for a little while, I was in complete control. Like no one could touch me or pollute me. Even though I knew it was nothing more than an illusion.

“Running low on Goose, Charlie. I’m gonna run back to storage and grab some.”

“Not a problem, sugar. We’re hanging in just fine up here.”

I headed through the kitchen to the back storage room.