Page 148 of Monsters Wear Crowns
“Let’s go out tonight,” she said, pushing off my desk and heading for the door. “Just us. Our favorite drinks. Our favorite place.”
I raised a brow. “Rel Mahoys?”
She grinned. “You know it. What do you say?”
“I’d love that,” I murmured, letting out a heavy exhale. “And hey, bonus–we’ll have security shadowing us the whole time.”
Laura laughed as she stepped out. “Romantic as ever, babe.”
***
Rel Mahoys was buzzing with its usual blend of class and chaos. It was an upscale sports bar where crystal chandeliers hung above wide-screen TVs and the scent of truffle fries mingled with seared steak. It was our favorite–always had been.
Laura and I slid into a curved leather booth near a back window, the dim lighting pouring a warm glow over the polished wood and sleek decor. The faint roar of a soccer game hummed in the background, but it didn’t drown out the clink of glasses and laughter from other tables. The air smelled like rosemary and grilled perfection, and for the first time all day, my shoulders loosened. Large windows were open, carrying the warm summer air and excitement from the city into the restaurant.
“Well, if it isn’t the two hottest, most powerful women in New York,” Laura announced, tossing her curled, blonde hair with a grin as she grabbed the menu. “How shall we celebrate our brilliance tonight? With overpriced wine or overpriced cocktails?”
I smiled despite myself. “Both.”
“That’s my girl.”
We ordered swiftly–a bottle of something expensive and red, along with an array of indulgent appetizers: charred octopus, wagyu sliders, and a burrata salad I was already eyeing like it was my salvation. The first sip of wine went down too smooth, and when Laura raised her glass for a toast, I didn’t hesitate.
“To men who are beneath us,” she said dramatically. “And the poor fools who think they can tame us.”
I clinked my glass to hers. “May they sufferhorribly.”
We burst into laughter, the kind that felt liberating. The wine kept flowing, and so did the food. Laura kept the conversation light, telling a wild story about one of her dates–something involving adisastrous attempt at oysters and a man who clearly hadnobusiness eating them.
But my eyes kept drifting to the sleek black car parked just across the street.
Rafe’s men.
They weren’t subtle, but they weren’t supposed to be. I could feel their eyes on us, and the mix of frustration and…safety that brought made my stomach twist.
“Hey,” Laura’s voice softened. “He’s not here, Adela. You can breathe.”
I forced a smile. “I know.”
But did I?
Laura’s hand found mine briefly, squeezing. Then she brightened. “Okay, no morebrooding. I refuse to let you spiral when we have these sliders in front of us.” She lifted one in salute. “To reckless decisions and perfect seasoning.”
“Another toast?” I snorted, lifting mine in return. “Hear, hear.”
The night blurred into laughter and warm, heady conversation. By the time we ordered dessert–a molten chocolate cake with salted caramel gelato–I was pleasantly buzzed, my cheeks flushed and my mind finally,finallyfree of Rafe Vaughan’s shadow.
Or so I thought.
Because when I glanced toward the door, heart light and full of wine, IsworeI saw him. Just for a second. A figure in black. Broad-shouldered and dangerous. Watching from a dark hoodie.My stranger.
But when I blinked, he was gone.
“Adela?” Laura’s brow furrowed. “You okay?”
I forced my smile back into place. “Yeah,” I said. “I’m fine.” But my heart was racing. And deep down, I knew the war I was trying to escape was far from over.
As I lay in bed with the city lights spilling across my room later, my phone buzzed again.
