Page 66 of Steal My Breath Away

“How about we get out of here?” I countered. “Jordan said this bar has a reputation for attracting crime. The residents have been collecting signatures to demand the city close it down. He’s sending backup but he’s short-staffed right now, so try not to get into trouble until he can get someone out here.”

“But that’s what makes it so interesting,” she said. “It’s got a different vibe, a little edgy and dangerous, and the DJ is awesome.”

“Several illegal acts have occurred here or nearby,” I informed her, “including public indecency, vandalism, and two shootings. How did your friends manage to pick the most dangerous karaoke bar in the city?”

“Just lucky, I guess.”

I lifted an eyebrow in disbelief, and she sighed. “Chad forgot to call ahead to our usual karaoke bar and there were no tables left. He did a quick internet search and found this place. It had good reviews…”

“Best place for a shootout? Most crimes committed in one week? Number one for bar fights?” My voice rose in agitation. “Top ten places to die? Do you really think a top-level music executive is going to come to a place like this?”

“I think you’re overreacting,” she said. “I sent Mark the name and address, and he didn’t have a problem with it. This isn’t a bad area, and the place looks clean…”

“The bar is already on the floor, and you just brought an excavator,” I said dryly.

“All the tables are full—”

“Of criminals.”

“People are just chilling,” she complained. “Maybe you should just try to relax and have a good time.”

“I should never have allowed you to come,” I grumbled. “If you hadn’t distracted me dressed the way you’re dressed and looking how you look and doing the things you do, I would have tied you to the bed and made you forget all about karaoke.” I raked my fingers through my hair, cursing under my breath at clients who insisted on living their lives despite the risk. But that was Haley.

“You like my dress?” She smiled and spun around to torment me further.

“Like” didn’t even begin to describe the effect that dress was having on me, with its naughty slit and low-cut neckline and the damn back that showed way too much skin. I wanted to fuck her in that dress and then I wanted to tear it off her and tie her upand make her promise never to wear it again where any other man could see her.

“I’d like it better with a thick parka around it, and instead of those stilettos, maybe a pair of winter boots.” I glared at a dude who was looking in Haley’s direction. “How about a balaclava and a few of Janice’s scarves? That would be a better look for a place like this.”

“Stop grumbling.” She leaned up and kissed my cheek. “You did your job and said no. You pointed out the risks. Unfortunately, you were overruled, as you knew you would be. Risk is my middle name.”

“I was seduced, not overruled.” I was saved from letting loose all the thoughts in my head when Skye arrived with Dante. I’d met Skye at the coffee shop, but not Dante and I’d been curious to meet the bass player who’d finally made it big. He was around my height, muscular and solidly built. But there was a darkness around him, the barest hint of violence pulsing beneath his skin. He was a man you would only want on your side of a fight.

“I see I’m not the only one who lost the battle when he said no to this bar tonight,” Dante said after Haley introduced us. “It’s a disaster waiting to happen.”

“I didn’t get the benefit of knowing where we were going in advance.” I glared at Haley. “If I had, I would have tried even harder to shut it down. I wasn’t happy about going out at all. I played all my cards—”

Dante glanced over at Skye and his face softened. “But then she got all dressed up and walked up to you with her sweet talk and sexy smile and suddenly you’re in a fucking South Side karaoke bar with a bunch of crime lords and you’re damn glad you came.”

“Pretty much sums it up.” Every instinct in my body was screaming at me to take Haley home, but every time I even thought about suggesting it was time to go, she would look over at me and smile and my brain would fuzz all over again.

“Twenty bucks says someone gets beat up before eleven,” Dantesaid, pulling me out of my train of thought. “Thirty says someone pulls a gun and we all get to go home early.”

“Forty says the undercover cop in the corner arrests someone for dealing.” I’d spotted him five minutes after we arrived. He was too stiff, too aware, and too underdressed in his jeans and polo shirt, despite the rough vibe around us.

Dante laughed and we spent a few minutes trying to spot the most likely criminal elements in the bar.

“Are you packing?” Dante asked. “I want to know what kind of backup I’m going to have if we have to make a quick exit.”

I moved my jacket aside to show him my gun. “I try to identify the threats in advance, so I don’t have to use it.”

“They’re all threats,” he said. “I know one of the guys at the bar. He’s big in organized crime.”

“I can’t figure this place out. On the surface it looks like a decent bar—nice decor, great vibe, good DJ, no one has food poisoning yet. And then you take a closer look—”

“And you want to get your woman the hell out of here,” Dante said.

My woman.I liked the sound of it too much.

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