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“I want a Pimm’s,” she told Lais.

“And I’ll take a Sazerac,” I added.

“Dude, Julian is going to skin us alive if he hears we drank Sazerac somewhere that’s not his bar,” Anthony said.

“I’ll take the risk.” I rarely drank any other cocktail.

“We’ll be right back,” Lais said.

Anthony looked at me and Grace with a frown. Beckett raised an eyebrow. They’d put two and two together but at least had the decency to keep their mouths shut—for now, anyway.

Once they were gone, I turned to Grace, putting both hands on her shoulders. “You’re shaking.”

“I’m not even sure why. That guy was pushy, but...” She shook her head. “The way he spoke to us was insane. Like we were his property, and he was going to pick one of us no matter if we wanted it or not. It chilled me.”

“Nothing happened,” I reassured her. I moved one hand to her cheek, touching it with the backs of my fingers. “Want us to leave?”

“No. I really did promise Lais that I’d hang out with her. We just arrived a while ago. We haven’t even managed to get our first drink. Alcohol will help—liquid courage and all.” She looked up at me. “Thanks. You know, I never actually put myself in positions to be rescued, but you’ve had to do that twice now.”

“My pleasure. Although, I’d rather not do it a third time. I don’t like the thought of you being in danger.” My words surprised the hell out of me.

Grace stilled, blinking rapidly.

“So, you’re out with your brothers,” she said, clearly attempting to change the conversation.

“Yes. We had dinner at our parents’ and grandparents’ house.”

“Where were you heading?”

“My brother Julian’s bar on Dumaine.”

“Then don’t let us keep you.”

“I want to make sure you’re okay. I won’t leave before that.”

She laughed but without humor. “Then you might be in for a long wait.”

“I don’t mind.”

“I’m really not sure why that guy creeped me out like that. But whenever I hear someone talking to me like I’m property... well, it brings back memories.”

I instantly remembered what Isabeau told me. Of course that would be triggering for her. That fucking moron. I’d clock him again if he were still here.

“He won’t be bothering you again,” I promised.

“Not as long as we have this sexy bodyguard with us.” Her eyes flashed.

“Bodyguard,” I repeated. “I can live with that. What do you say to me being your bodyguard for the rest of the evening?”

“Very smooth.”

“Grace, I’ve been trying to be smooth all week. I’m hanging by a thread.”

“What are you talking about?” she said, but her expression was lighting up. This was working. “You’ve beenshamelesslyflirting all week.”

“Grace, you haven’t seen shameless.”

“Oh. Oh!” She covered her mouth with one hand. I pushed a strand of her dark hair behind her ear.