Immortal Revenge Read Free Page B

He wore a thin, black sweater with the sleeves pushed up to his mid arm. His short, bleached-blond hair stood out more with dark colors and gave him a suave look. He took the bottle from Julie’s hand. “I think she’s had enough.”
    When the bar owner said enough, he meant it. Only stupid drunks would argue for more. Katie wasn’t stupid. A bit tipsy and enjoying it, but not dumb.
    “It was just a few,” Jules said, and placed her hand on her hip. “She needs it.”
    “Nobody needs it.” He twisted the cap on the top.
    Katie grinned. If he knew her situation, maybe he’d hand over the whole bottle to her.
    “Why don’t you go help Amy in the back?” he said.
    “Someone needs to watch the front.”
    “I’ll handle it.” He picked up a towel and handed it to her. “The tables need wiped down too.”
    Jules snatched the towel from his hand and then faced Katie. “Do you think he’s trying to get rid of me, or what?”
    “I’m not paying you to stand around and chit-chat, Julie.” All friendliness had left his tone. “I want to close on time.”
    “All right. All right.” Jules passed him and a few steps later, she quietly spun. Facing his back, she flipped him off.
    The priceless look of Jules’s lifted middle finger and wrinkled nose prompted a grin from Katie. Andy must have seen her expression. He twisted to look behind him. Jules jerked back around and continued on her way. He missed her rebellious behavior by mere seconds.
    Katie shook her head gently. The three drinks had calmed her nerves and eased the worries from her mind. No more anger. No more pain. No more gloom and doom. She could use another for a longer effect.
    “What are you doing here?” Andy asked, stretching his arms out along the bar. The man wasn’t a body builder, but he did have a nice torso and solid muscles.
    “Visiting and drinking. I can pay.”
    “You don’t drink.”
    “I was thirsty.”
    “I’ll get you a cola.”
    “Never mind.” She twisted on the stool to give him the cold shoulder. Her momentary peace shifted into annoyance. What the fuck was wrong with her boss? He normally was a fun guy to talk to and had an uncanny sense of humor. Now, he seemed down right rude and a pain in the ass. She didn’t need any more problems to deal with.
    Katie surveyed the dimly lit bar and took a deep breath. The Devil had an unusual feel. Tension. Darkness. Hatred. She rubbed her temple as she tried to figure out the reason for such odd sensations. She wasn’t psychic by any means, but after consuming enough vampire blood over the years, she’d noticed little changes, most to her senses. She had heightened eyesight, hearing and sense of smell, but they weren’t as keen as a vampire’s was.
    Hearing the soft taps of movement from her side, she turned. Andy came to a stop too close for her comfort. Fortunately, the liquor made her not care.
    He crossed his arms. “You should go home.”
    She looked away from him. “I would if I had one.”
    “So it’s true. Your boyfriend’s house burnt down.”
    Boyfriend. She should’ve married Kyle when he’d asked. Instead she’d told him she wanted to wait until she was at least thirty. In three years, she would’ve been Mrs. Kyle Brown. The last name sounded cheesy. She’d asked him once why he selected Brown as a fake surname. Kyle had told her it was better than common names such as Smith, Jones, or Williams, ones many vampires used.
    “How did you–”
    “I have a police scanner in the back.”
    “Ah.”
    “Katie…” He lowered his arms and placed his hand on her shoulder. “I heard some other things. I’m not going to ask if they’re true or not, but drinking is not going to make you feel any better.”
    Katie slid his hand off her. “Thanks, boss, for your concern.”
    While his show of affection was kind, the simple touch made her want to punch him. What did he know? He’d never lost a lover, never had his world yanked out from underneath him, never