Page 8 of Wrath’s Nightingale

“You kept the hotel’s original bar?”

“We did. We renamed it Lagniappe. It means something extra.”

I take in the ambiance. It feels like something extra when you step inside. He leads me to a wall that’s lined with covered dishes. There’s a vast assortment of food. A continued theme from today’s earlier event.

We load our plates and find an empty spot in a quiet corner. As quiet as you can find with a full-blown party.

“Do you want to take a tray and go to my apartment so we can talk?”

“Is it in the building?”

“Second floor.”

“I’d love to.”

“Grab your stuff. We can take this now and I’ll have the prospects bring more along with your favorite bottle of wine.”

“I do love a good red, but I’m more of a bourbon girl. Do you have any Pappy Van Winkle?”

“If we don’t, we soon will,” he says with a wink.

I grab my plate and bottle of brew and follow Mayhem through the crowd to the elevator. It’s a quick ride to the second floor. Wrath leads us to his door. I take his long neck while he unlocks the door and lets us in.

Chapter 5

Wrath

After closing the door behind us, I lead her into my living room.

“Do you want to watch a movie or listen to music?”

“I’d love a good, stupid comedy.”

“Something with brainless laughs coming right up.”

“Is thatDon’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood?” Millie asks.

“You’re familiar with the movie?”

“I am. It’s a classic from ninety-six.”

“And how old were you in ninety-six?” I ask.

“Four.”

“You’re thirty-one?”

“I will be in a couple of weeks.”

“I turn thirty in July. How do you feel about dating a younger man?”

“Is that what we’re doing, dating?”

“That’s what I’d like to do. I’m not looking for a hook-up. Not with you. I want something more. I’d like to see where this goes.”

“I’d like that. I’m heading home to Indiana in two days for a ten day stay.”

“We could take the bike. It’s a scenic ride.”