Page 17 of The Deceptions
But why would Nick phrase it that way? Unless he knows something he’s not telling Malic.
My heart kicks up, knocking against my ribs. Well, this place got a whole lot more interesting. Not saying that I want an innocent person to have disappeared.
I expect something from Malic. A reaction of some sort to the phrase Nick used, but the big lug doesn’t budge or ask questions. Well, not how I expect anyway. I guess I’m trained to suss out the bad guys and listen to their phrases and watch their facial expressions. More than the average Joe does, anyway.
“More than good,” Mal barks out, curling his hands into fists. “Pure. And my only goddamn family. The amount of holes I'm going to drill into the person who took her…” he trails off, grinning maniacally when Nick goes pale and shakes, setting the glasses down. “Wonderful hospitality.”
And with that, Malic sits at the bar beside Wilder, quietly discussing something as Nick backs away like a cornered animal. I swear his eyeballs nearly pop out of their sockets and roll on the floor when Malic eyes him again with that smile. Ugh. Shivers roll through me. There’s something about that grin that sets goosebumps rising across my flesh. Good goosebumps? Bad goosebumps? I haven’t decided. Perhaps it's the booze talking. Or the cobwebs collecting in my lady bits. Either way, this man is affecting me. More than anyone has in a very long time.
I can’t suppress my smile when Nick scurries out from behind the bar without fulfilling the round of drinks Malic ordered for everyone. Including me. Not that I need anymore. But still. Suspiciously, Nick heads toward the same dark hallway Earl left through earlier. A door slams. Footsteps echo from somewhere, and then, he's gone. Coward. He’s probably running off to clean the piss from his pants. Or maybe he’s calling someone to let them know Malic is onto them.
Either way, I need to follow the slimy fuck and get some answers from him. Too bad I don’t have access to whereverhe went. Fuck. I should get another drink and mind my own business. I have a case in this town, anyway.
But what if it’s all connected?
Something strange settles heavy in my gut. This entire place reeks of corruption, and something beyond strange is happening. In this bar. In this fucking town. But what? I don't fucking know. Something stinks, though. And well, I’m going to sniff it out.
I make mental notes of all the chaos I've collected after having two drinks. That's all it took to interest me. How pathetic. I want to go all detective and start asking questions, but if I'm supposed to live here soon, I can't draw that much attention to myself.
Whatever.
I quickly text Jonathan through our secured messages and relay the information. If it's pertinent to the future, then so be it.
“Need another?”
My gaze snaps to Malic, suddenly sitting close to me. When did that happen? And where the fuck did Wilder go? He leans his angelic face, dimples out in full force, on the palm of his hand eyeing me with hearts in his eyes. Fuck. He can’t look at me like that. It’s ridiculously illegal, and I’m too tipsy to stop myself.
Down girl.
“You need a bell,” I huff sarcastically, pushing my glass away. If I drink another, then I’ll do something I regret. Or not-so-regret? I haven’t decided. “And no, I'm good.” I should get up and leave. I shouldn't count the freckles dotting his nose and forehead, or recognize the fact that he's barely blinked. Is that even possible? Why aren’t his long, luscious eyelashes moving? Does his eyeball hurt with all that air?
Wait, what am I thinking?
Shit. I shake my head, catching myself staring again. Walk away! Don't fall deep into his crystal blue eyes that look like theocean dancing in the sunshine. And nope. It’s confirmed. The man isn't blinking. I kind of want to poke his eyes, but I refrain from the impulse, much to his amusement.
He chuckles, taking my glass and inspecting the dribbles at the bottom. Leaning close, he sniffs the contents and grins more.
“Stagg. That's high-class. Top shelf. High proof. And I bet it's warming your belly right now.” His eyes linger on my abdomen as he sizes me up.
Well, that's very forward of him. But also, is it hot in here? God, I'm playing with fire and about to be burned. But like, it doesn't feel like a bad thing.
For far too long, I’ve played it on the safe side, barely toeing the line. I’m a good soldier for Veritas, sticking with the rules presented to us. As a teenager, I broke every rule there was. Sneaking out, risking my neck to see the boys I loved.
But right now? Fuck. Right now, I want to break every damn rule in the book to satisfy the fire under my flesh, begging me to extinguish it with this massive man beside me staring at me like no man should.
I’m so fucked.
Malic eyes my glass with renewed interest, licking his lips as he moves the small droplets of liquid at the bottom.
“It was a bad day. Needed to take the edge off.”
Every breath in my lungs pushes out the second Malic lifts my glass above his parted lips, dumping the dribbles and backwash into his mouth, getting every last drop. It shouldn't look so sexy to see his tongue swipe along his bottom lip, making sure he gets it all.
Is this his version of flirting? Fuck. I think he's a psychopath. But also. It's working.
What does that say about me?
Malic carefully sets my glass back on the bartop with a satisfied hum. Speaking of hums, I swear something vibratesstraight through me the moment his gaze reconnects with mine. I’m no longer staring into the vast ocean, dancing in the sunshine. Nope. I’m gazing into the lust-filled eyes of a man who could probably break me in half.
