“I’m tired of the whole ‘let’s just see where it takes us’ thing,” she says. “Maybe he just needs a little kick, and if that doesn’t work, I’m up for a no-strings night of fun with someone who gets all my geek jokes but doesn’t play the geek game.”

    Doctor Death whispers something to Cora, and she laughs. I have to admit he seems to be a better match for her than Blade Saw. They are both easygoing, slightly quirky, and academically inclined. But Blade Saw is a good guy, fiercely loyal, totally honest and up-front. Mashed potatoes to Doctor Death’s couscous.

    What about Jack and me? Do we go together? Aside from our kinks and the fact we both work out at Redemption, we don’t have much in common. He’s from a high-society family in Tennessee, and I’m from a working-class family in Leeds. He’s on his way to becoming a big MMA star, and I’m a legal assistant. He doesn’t do relationships, and I still secretly dream of finding someone to love me who makes me feel safe. He’s breathtakingly gorgeous, and I’m…well, me. But he did stay over last night, and I still feel warm fuzzies when I think about him coming to Ambleside.

    Torment joins our table, and I frown at the green froth in his glass. “What is that?”

    “Spinach shake.” He holds it up like he’s won a prize. “Makayla isn’t drinking while she’s pregnant, so I asked the bartender to whip up something healthy for her.”

    “I asked for something yummy,” she says, her voice sharp with warning.

    “You need vitamins.” Torment offers the glass and Makayla shakes her head.

    “That doesn’t even look close to being edible. I need one of their creamy chocolate ice cream cocktails but without the booze, and a big plate of fries or I might collapse from starvation.”

    Torment’s lips press into a thin line. “If you’d just stayed at home like I told you—”

    Makayla cuts him off with a glare. “I’m pregnant. I don’t have a fatal disease. Pregnant women lead normal lives. They go to work, they go out with their friends, they exercise, occasionally eat junk food, go to the bar to have a good time, drink creamy drinks, and eat fried food. So get over your overprotective self and go get me something unhealthy to eat.”

    We all hold our breaths, waiting for the inevitable explosion. No one tells Torment what to do.

    “You want ketchup with that?” he asks.

    Makayla’s lips quiver with a smile. “Lots of ketchup.” She leans over to kiss Torment on the cheek, but he cups her neck, turning her toward him as he pulls her in for a real kiss, hard and hungry, full of love and passion.

    Cora and I sigh.

    “Ah. True love.” Doctor Death moves to the side as Torment brushes past. “I gave up on that concept a long time ago. Too many women want me, and it would be inconsiderate not to share myself around. It’s all about public service and sacrificing for womankind.” He holds out a hand to Cora and then one to me. “Ladies. Care for a drink and a dance? Afterward, maybe we can go back to my place and I’ll bathe you in chocolate and show you what a good licker I am.”

    Laughter bubbles up in my chest, but since Jack isn’t here yet, we’re out of vodka shots, and the DJ is pretty good, I follow him and Cora to the bar.

    “What are you having?” He waves to the bartender, and she drops what she’s doing and makes her way toward us. Doctor Death has that effect on women.

    “Long Island iced teas,” Cora offers. “To start.”

    I shoot her a worried glance. Cora started two shots ago, and she can get drunk on half a glass of wine. She doesn’t hold her liquor well.

    Fifteen minutes and another round of drinks later, we are up on the raised dance floor, dancing to the Kongos’ “Come with Me Now.” I keep my distance from Doctor Death’s octopus hands because I know Jack is on his way, but Cora succumbs to his charms. They gyrate to the music as he whispers in her ear. I dance beside them, and yet all I can think about is Jack—his hands on my body, his lips in my ear, his shadowy figure at the bar beside Blade Saw, watching me.

    Wait. Jack?

    Our eyes meet, and his gaze heats every inch of my skin, blazing a trail straight down to my core. He lifts his beer, takes a slow sip. Blade Saw says something to him, but Jack’s eyes never leave mine. A thrill of excitement shoots down my spine, and I let myself go, dancing just for him.

    “Blade Saw and Jack are watching,” I warn Cora.

    “I know.” She reaches behind her and puts her arms around Doctor Death’s neck. He gives a delighted rumble, and they sway to the music. His hands run up and down her curves. His lips press into her hair. Blade Saw grows more agitated over by the bar, shifting his weight, his hand clenching around his glass.

    “Cora…” But it’s too late. Blade Saw breaks away from the bar and steamrolls through the crowd, pushing people aside as he hurtles toward the dance floor. In one smooth move, he leaps up on the riser, grabs Doctor Death, and throws him to the floor. Doctor Death hits a table on his way down. Drinks spill. Angry customers jump up. One goes after Doctor Death, and the other goes after Blade Saw. Redemption fighters swarm in to protect them. I grab Cora’s hand and pull her away.

    “Down here.” I pull her down the back hallway, past the restrooms, and out into the alley. As the door swings closed behind us, I hear shouts and yells, the crack of tables, and the sound of breaking glass. Looks like the Redemption team will have to find a new watering hole. Again.

    “What the hell were you doing?” I dig around in my purse for my phone, breathing through my mouth when the first scent of stale piss hits me. “I warned you about him. And it was clear from the moment we walked in that he’s into you in a big way.”

    “He just nodded.” She wipes away a tear. “He didn’t even say hi. I’m not desperate. I’m smart and fairly attractive, although maybe lacking in a few social skills. I’m worth more than a guy who says he just wants to see how things go, who kisses me one day after a run, fools around with me for a bit, and then tells me the next day we should just be friends and hang out.”