Page 4 of Love In The Shadows

The whole story was a load of shit. I bought the damn thing on eBay. Cost me a mint, but it served its purpose. Richie was a sucker for vintage watches. The more history, the better. I took the seat, and the hot little number of a bartender turned her attention my way. “What can I get for you?”

“Bourbon.”

Richie glanced over and gave me an appraising look. “Bourbon and that stunning timepiece? A man with great taste.” He picked up his tumbler and chuckled. This was going to be easier than I thought.

“Yes, sir.”

“Sir?” He laughed and raised an eyebrow at me. “Where you from? I hear a drawl in there. Kentucky?”

“Two for two.” I grinned. The bartender poured me a glass that matched Richie’s, except he was a swig or two ahead of me. “Cheers.”

Richie lifted his glass and took another drink.

“Damn, that’s good.” I leaned back, casually spinning the glass on the bar as I looked around, taking everything in.

“First time here?” Richie asked, mimicking my posture.

I flashed him a smile. “Sure is. Helluva place. Nice looking crew, too.” I flashed a sly wink at the bartender. She smiled and then rushed off to tend to people at the other end of the bar.

Richie watched her round ass as she went. “How’d you hear about the place?” he asked, not bothering to remove his eyes from the bartender as she leaned over the bar to talk to her customers.

“Couple of friends came here a week or so ago. They couldn’t shut up about it. I was in town for business and figured, what the hell.”

Richie chuckled and tore his eyes away. They landed on me, and he gave me another long appraisal. “Business, huh? Well, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. They did tell you what goes on here, right?”

I nodded. “I hope the stories are true.”

“You bet your ass.” Richie rolled with laughter, the sound deep and foreboding, like thunder. “Ahh, well, you know if there are two people to give you a grand welcome, it’s these two.”

I looked over my shoulder to where his eyes went and spotted a couple coming our way. The man was tall, maybe had an inch or two on me, setting him in the 6’4 range. He had the broad shoulders to match, and while he looked relaxed, there was something about how he carried himself that immediately let me know he wasn’t someone I’d want to meet in a dark alley. I mean, I could probably take him, but he’d get in a few good punches.

Dangling from his arm was a petite little spinner with golden curls and an easy smile. A black cocktail dress hugged her curves, and a flashy necklace dripped diamonds down her chest, the last of which settled right between her breasts. The man said something in her ear as they crossed the room, and she looked up at him, giggling, with a sparkle in her dark eyes that most men would kill for. A glance at her hand also showed a sizable diamond. Engaged. Married.

Whoever they were, they were loaded.

Richie flagged them over. “Reed, Paige, you have a new customer here.”

Reed extended his hand and I shook it, his grip confirming my earlier suspicions. He gave me a warm smile. “Welcome to Parkston’s On the Hill. This is my wife, Paige.”

“Nice to meet you,” the blonde said, shaking my hand once she untangled herself from her husband.

“Thank you. Eric Starr.”

Reed nodded. “Well. Mr. Starr, if you need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask. We cater to just about anything you can dream up.”

Paige looped her arm back through his. “We do have some business to attend to, but again, let us know if there’s anything we can do to make your visit a memorable one.”

“Will do.”

Reed gave a slight nod, and his wife looped her arm back into his, and they walked away.

“Nice people.”

Richie nodded, his eyes still following them until they rounded the corner, out of sight. Then he turned back to me and downed the rest of his drink. “What kind of business brings you to our fair city?”

I turned in my seat, inclining my body towards his ever so slightly. I met his sharp eyes over his drink. “I’m a security consultant.”

Richie smiled, the edges sharper, and his eyes narrowed like a cat on the hunt. “Security, huh? You say that like it’s important. Or it’s a cover for something…else, Mr…what was it again?”