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“You don’t have to do that, Keith. I was only complaining. I don’t want to get anyone in trouble.”
“You won’t,” he assured her and smiled. Then we all glanced up as a blur of color whisked up to the table.
“There she is!” Ty grabbed Ivy and kissed her hard. “How’s our houseguest doing?” Ivy, Shadow’s second to newest therapist to work with team Blackstone, smiled indulgently at her husband. Their son, Hudson, had just started to stand and was on the go from the time he woke until he was down for the night. It was nice she was able to take a little break. Her uncle, Doc Roberts, had been with Blackstone for a long time and had moved over to Team Dark Water when Ivy came.
Ivy was a hit with everyone, an amazing woman who had worked wonders with Keith after his terrible loss. I stopped that memory dead in its tracks and forced it down. That had been a hard time for all of us, and this was our night to relax.
“He’s good.” She nodded. “This was the second time for him, being captured, I mean, so he already knew the steps to help his head and that definitely was a factor. I think he’s rattled, sore, and just needs a few days to get himself together and he’ll be fine. He’s been well trained and did everything by the book.”
“That’s huge,” Ty agreed as he hugged her, and we all took a breath and digested that. It wasn’t often the house took in someone who could handle what they’d just been through. It was one of the main reasons we needed Ivy and Doc Roberts and, I guess, Dr. Bash. Of course, they also worked with our own.
“Frank says he’ll transfer him back to Washington and work with him there.” Ivy took her drink from the waitress. “Thank you. Oops.” She licked her finger after she sloshed her drink on her hand. “No need for him to stay more than a few weeks. I get the feeling he might stay in the States for a while, though. He’s not in a hurry to go back at it.”
“Good plan. Being taken once would be enough for a lifetime, but twice—” I put my hands out. “Phew.”
Mark looked around then back to us. “No Dr. Bash?”
“No,” Ivy gave a small shrug, “Roberts said he just isn’t comfortable yet.”
“That’s not sitting well with me,” Mike piped in. “I’m not asking him to be our best friend, but there was a reason you and Doc Roberts can get past our walls so well.”
“Agreed,” she sighed. “I’ll see about reminding him of that, but he does like to stick to his office, so…”
We all stopped talking when two women maybe in their mid-twenties approached. One held out a pool cue. “We need two more. Any takers?” I glanced at John, who eased lower on his stool and pulled Sloane into him as a barrier. He smirked at me as if he enjoyed the moment.
“What about you?” The girl holding the cue locked eyes with me. “You’ve got this officer kind of SWAT look that says ‘I’ve seen a lot in my day, so don’t screw with me.’ I kinda like it. So, you wanna play?”
“Hey, who’s Janet’s favorite player?” she called to a girl behind her. “You know, the hottie who plays for the 49ers?”
“Nick Bosa,” her friend replied with a giggle.
“Yes, that’s who you remind me of.” Her eyes flared with interest. “You have his sexy jawbone, strong build, and those eyes that look like they could swallow me up in one bite.” She mimicked chomping. Gross.
I hated that kind of flirting. Girls who are just on the prowl. I had to remember they were young, but I’d always been turned off by that approach. It stemmed from when I was undercover and saw how women fell at the feet of various Cartels just because they had power and authority. Sadly, we called them Crimson Hunters because nine times out of ten they’d end up covered in blood, often left for dead when the men were finished with them.
“Thanks, but I’m good.” I forced a smile and glanced at Keith where he stood expressionless behind Cole and Mark. I knew they were all thoroughly enjoying this.
“Lucky for you, I don’t take no very easily.” The girl stuck out a hip.
“But tonight, you will.” I smiled. Her expression flinched, but she tilted her head as if in thought. She either liked the challenge or she wasn’t told no very often.
“Or I buy you a drink and you tell me what all of this means.” She ran her hand up my tattooed sleeve. I put my hand over hers and gently but firmly pushed it off my arm as I stepped closer to her.
“I’m flattered, truly.” I tried to drive my point home. “You’re a pretty girl, but I’ve seen way too much shit, and one night with me would dull that light in your eyes. I promise you I’m not the man you want to be with tonight.”
“Yeah, okay.” Her eyes lowered, and I knew I finally got through to her. “Sorry for bothering you.”
I nodded once, stepped back, and she grabbed her friend’s arm, and they walked back to the pool table.
“So, cute, bubbly, doe-eyed girls are not your type. Got it.” Mark, who always seemed to be around for those moments, broke the tension and made the others laugh. “Just so I’m clear,” he went on, “ugly, dominant, dead-eyed girls are your jam?”
“Women are my game, not girls. Especially ones who probably have Daddy’s credit card and more hair product than you,” I poked back, and Keith laughed loudly behind him.
“He does take more time than me in the bathroom.” Mia laughed into her beer bottle but jumped when Mark swiped out and tickled her side. “It’s true, and we all know it.”
“I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again. It takes a special, well-thought-out grooming process to look this good all the time.” Mark mocked flipping his hair over his shoulder, which again made us all laugh. “Don’t hate because I care about how I look.”
I stared at him, deadpan, then turned my expression to Mia. “I have so much respect for you.”