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“I noticed,” she said softly, her chin lowered.
When the meaning registered, I scanned the room. Enzo was the first I spotted, sitting at the end of the bar, wiggling his eyebrows when our eyes briefly met.
“Great,” I chugged the remaining wine.
“That’s not all.” Alisa nodded off to the side.
Luka appeared in the right corner, his hand flat against the wall. Beneath him, a short brunette hung on every word. He paused, flashing me his perfect smile.
I knew, if I faced the left corner, Maxim would already be there.
They covered each front, forming a triangular trap. Us dangling in the middle like bait. He drew me out, so the rest can close in.
Alisa gave in to the pressure, scanning the room for her brother. When her face lit up, I got my confirmation. A moment passed before her focus snapped back to me.
“What did he do now?” she asked teasingly, a smirk on her lips.
I drummed the tips of my nails against the wine glass. “Rotated me like a rotisserie chicken,” I huffed.
Alisa’s drink sprayed across the polished bar top. Her cheeks flushed, but she giggled loudly, attracting the attention of several nearby patrons.
“I mean it literally,” I snorted, attempting to set the record straight, but her dreamer’s mind wasn’t accepting the answer.
Enzo’s face was a display of emotions when I cocked my head in his direction.
“And him?” I asked Alisa.
“Absolutely nothing,” she fidgeted with her hands.
I looked around, the bar getting more packed as the night progressed.
“Now what?”
“Now we feel the moment.” She smiled, not letting the men ruin her time.
And we did. We laughed, discussed fashion, snorted far too often for the type of establishment.
When the waiter came to check on us, we ordered a third bottle, despite Alisa’s previous restrictions. The guy lingered around, smiling widely. He glanced at Alisa’s hand as we arrived, spotting the diamond that pulled her finger down. Even my best stare didn’t deter him when he turned his eyes to me next.
I figured the first few heated glances were in hopes of a generous tip. We exchanged eye rolls with the bride next to me. The fifth glance came with a wink, and that unleashed me. I flagged him down, leaning over the bar.
“I don’t think you’ve got what it takes,” I cautioned, my voice daring. “But then again, does anyone?”
The waiter’s mouth gaped like a fish out of water, but it wasn’t me behind his reaction.
Tattooed arms eloped around me, placing knuckles against the surface.
“It’s not on you tonight,” Maxim reminded me, his voice softer than I’ve ever heard him speak. Enzo and Luka were already on their way over from across the bar.
“Brat,” Alisa greeted her brother, smiling from ear to ear.
A low sound came from the waiter, but Maxim was quicker. “Shut your dumbass mouth before I permanently shut it for you,” he growled. He stepped in between, holding out a hand to help us down, then let Luka take over.
When we fled the damn place, I turned just in time to see the color drain from the waiter’s face at Maxim’s parting words. He pointed his finger at me, and when they both turned, I mouthed, “Fuck this place,” and walked out.
We each clung to Luka’s arm, with Enzo trailing behind us. Every twenty meters or so, I turned back, checking on him.
I returned to the same bedroom I’d slept in the previous night. Just like then, the door to the basement remained open.