They all declined.
Pushing my way to the bar, I got a refill and shoved the tip in the jar. As I spun to return, the guy from the dance floor was there. “You ran off before I could get your name,” he said.
A sultry smile curled my lips. “Jay,” I said with a laugh, thinking of the night three years ago.
“Jay,” he repeated with a cocky grin. “Nice to meet you.”
Before I could reply, my brother was at my side. “Beat it,” he said. The guy’s eyes widened comically before he gave me a sad smile and left.
Irritated, I rounded on my brother with anger burning bright within me. “That was fucked-up.”
“We’re leaving. Korrie’s had enough.” My brother had a protective arm curled around Korrie.
I quickly looked to my sister-in-law and saw that she was indeed pale. The thing was, I didn’t want to leave yet. For the first time in forever, I wasn’t thinking about the dark shit.
“Is it okay if I stay with the others? I won’t try to lose them or leave with anyone else,” I said, though it was with mentally crossed fingers.
Angel ran a frustrated hand through his dark hair, but Korrie grabbed his other arm. A silent exchange ensued, and he finally looked at me. I could tell he wasn’t happy about it, but he nodded. “Just make sure you stay with the group.”
Brightly, I nodded. “You got it,” I said with a jaunty salute that had him fighting a grin as he shook his head at me.
“Be careful, sis. I love you.”
“Love you too,” I said, then pressed a kiss to his short beard and shooed him off. “Now go take care of my sister-in-law.”
Korrie hugged me. They walked me to the group, where they said their goodbyes again and left.
As I drank from my glass, Loralei, Kira, and I danced at the edge of our table, happily singing along with the song. The guys watched us with tolerant expressions. I didn’t miss the deadly glares they sent toward any guy dumb enough to look at their women in a lascivious way.
From the corner of my eye, I saw another guy bravely approach. He leaned in to be heard.
“Would you like to dance?” This one was dark-haired and reminded me a little too much of the broody asshole at the table.
Defiantly, I set my glass down and wobbled slightly as I turned back to the guy.
But before I could take a step toward the dance floor, a hand gripped my upper arm. The tingle of awareness that jolted through to my toes told me who it was without looking. Butter-soft leather against my skin made my breath catch.
With a frown, I flashed a glare behind me, trying to seem brave and more sober than I really was. Too bad it had nothing on the anger simmering in the dark-brown eyes that held mine.
The words I intended to spit at him turned to ash on my tongue.
“No” was all he said.