How she always seems to settle me is some sort of miracle. Why I pushed her away, I’ll never know.
A warmth spreads through my chest. She loves me. I have someone who wants me.
The dry Vegas heat washes over my back as the door to the bar opens while a throng of leather-clad bikers pushes in.
I should be worried, but I don’t really care. Nothing can kill my high of Sofia wanting me, all of my faults included.
Well, I didn’t mind until they start yelling, then pushing at each other.
Fuck. I guess it’s time to call Alexei.
One of the bigger ones slams into my side and spills my drink all over my lap. “What the hell?”
He drops me a crooked smile. “Sorry, bro.” Turning back to his buddy, he laughs and jumps away from me.
“Don’t worry, hun. I have a new one for you.” A blonde woman with bright red lipstick appears behind the bar and slides a fresh scotch in front of me.
“This wasn’t what I was drinking.” I’ve been nursing a beer for the last hour while talking on the phone.
She gives me a flashy smile. “It’s okay, hun. This one is on the house.”
The yelling rises behind me, so I down the shot in one swallow. “Thanks.”
A different guy barrels into me, pressing me into the hard edge of the bar. I swear if one more of these gorillas runs into me, I’m going to start swinging.
It’s time to get out of here.
Grabbing my cell, I work my way away from the rowdy crowd to a small table near the door.
I gotta call Alexei. Nikolai still pisses me off.
Wait. Why can’t I unlock my screen? It’s like my thumb doesn’t want to hit the right numbers.
They blur beneath my fingers. Squinting, I try to focus in on each one, but they swirl in my vision.
What the fuck? One shot and I’m drunk?
The noises around me fade. I only get one more attempt to get into my phone.
But I’m just so… damned… tired.
Maybe I’ll just rest my eyes for a minute.
