Page 30 of Bitter Spirits

“That’s where I’ve seen you,” the woman at Healy’s side said then blushed when attention turned to her. “Sorry. I’ve been sitting here trying to figure out why you seemed familiar. I’ve been to Wonderland a couple times. Mainly after work with friends. We love it. It’s such a cool little place to hang out at.” She sounded sincere.

“Thank you,” Isa said. “I always enjoy hearing that kind of feedback.”

Locke wasn’t surprised when Angel once again grabbed control of the conversation. “I’m curious, chiquita—now that you’ve been on the other side of the business, what do you think of your old stomping grounds?”

Isa’s eyebrows rose. “They’ve certainly changed.”

“How so?” Healy asked.

“It appears Angel discovered how to attract a more selective clientele.”

“Oh, I’ve always been highly selective about who I let through my doors, but to your point, we have become more discerning of late,” Angel drawled.

Isa lifted her whiskey. “It’s definitely working for you. Business appears to have picked up.”

“That’s due in part to the generosity of people like my business partner here.” Without looking away from Isa, Angel indicated Healy, who winced. A pulse of spite soured the air around Angel as his smile sharpened. “Their investments have allowed us to expand our amenities.”

“Is that so?” Isa sipped her drink.

“As I explained when you mentioned wanting to branch out on your own, never underestimate the influence of a good professional network, as you never know when those connections will prove useful.” There was a hint of a threat in Angel’s statement. “It’s why so many independent businesses fail.”

Seeing Isa’s fingers whiten on her glass made Locke want to wipe the smirk off Angel’s face, but this was a verbal battle—punches weren’t allowed. “Not something Wonderland has to worry about.” Locke waited for Angel to look at him then issued his own threat. “There are quite a few names invested in its success. That’s what happens when established locals decide to crown a neighborhood favorite.” He held Angel’s dark gaze, and the man’s features tightened.

Before Angel could resume his game, Healy cut in, asking Isa questions about Wonderland. She answered, and the conversation drifted into shallower waters. Angel continued to watch Locke with obvious calculation, but Locke refused to look away. He knew the minute he and Isa left the club, Angel would go on the hunt, trying to discover who those local investors were and how they connected with him, Wonderland, and more importantly, Isa. The predatory part of Locke studied Angel with anticipation while Angel’s eyes glittered with an answering malice. Only when the blonde at his side demanded his attention did he finally break off their staring contest.

Locke’s lips curved at the small win, and he sipped his drink as he let Isa’s conversation with Healy and his companion wash around him.

The blonde finished speaking to Angel and rose, murmuring, “Excuse me,” before slipping out of the alcove.

Angel rejoined the conversation, but a discordant note of awareness brushed against Locke’s magic, jarring the prowling power that had remained on wary alert ever since they breached the illusion barrier. Trusting Isa to fend off Angel’s verbal swipes, he tuned in to the advancing threat. The strange current of energy buzzed against his senses, like the leading edge of a breaking storm.

Locke tilted his head toward the alcove’s opening just as two people filled it. One was a bouncer, and the other was Beto Montenegro.

The bouncer wasted no time. “Sir, sorry to interrupt⁠—”

“Herrera,” Beto said, rounding the bouncer to move up the steps. “We need to talk.” His flat gaze swept over the other occupants and paused on Healy with a short nod of acknowledgment before going back to Angel. “Now.”

Locke noted Isa’s minute stiffening, but his magic demanded he keep his attention on Angel.

The air around the club owner darkened as Angel’s charm evaporated, his lips thinning, his eyes hardening. He slowly waved his drink at the table at large. “I’m busy at the moment.”

Beto didn’t back down. “Get unbusy.”

An oppressive weight filled the alcove as Angel set his drink on the table, got to his feet, straightened his cuffs, and murmured to Healy, “Excuse me.” He turned to a watching Isa. “I had hoped to speak to you further, but it seems business has other plans. Perhaps I will see you when I’m done.”

“Unfortunately, I think it’s time to call it a night.”

Angel’s smile was sardonic. “Of course. Well, then, until we met again, chiquita.” With that, he turned to Beto. “Shall we take this in my office?”

A muscle worked in Beto’s jaw, but he spun on his heel and stormed down the steps. Angel followed, his bouncer at his back. The men made their way to the elevator and disappeared inside.

Isa set her drink on the table and got to her feet. She turned to the other couple. “It’s been lovely, but as I told Angel, it’s time for us to call it a night.”

Polite goodbyes were exchanged, then Locke was following Isa down the steps and along the wide walkway, his hand once again resting against the warm skin at her spine. He stood with her as the elevator slid back down from an upper level and the doors glided open. They stepped inside. Once behind the closed doors, Isa surprised Locke by turning into him, sliding her hands up his chest, and linking them behind his neck. Her move pressed her soft curves against him, igniting an inconvenient response. But that didn’t stop him from gently gripping her hips and tugging her close.

Awareness flared in her eyes, leaving small gold sparks behind. Her lush lips parted as a delicate shiver ran through her and color swept over her cheeks, her delicious scents curling around them. “Play along,” she murmured.

Oh, he was more than happy to follow that order. He spun them around and crowded her against the back wall, giving in to the hunger that had waited not so patiently to play. He wanted to growl at her small, excited gasp but managed to refrain.