Page 93 of Deadly Obsession

“Karaoke?”

Maybe I was wrong about Elias because hedoeslook terrified. A 300-some pound bear-of-a-man intimidated by... singing?

It’s nearing ten at night, and we had a lovely dinner at an Italian restaurant in Little Italy. Elias has been a nervous wreck, glancing over his shoulder nonstop because we’rein ‘Empire territory.’ It doesn’t even matter that three of his men are on guard.

If I’m honest, it’s probably more than three men. Some are likely hidden.

Now we’re at my favorite bar in Midtown East where karaoke just got underway. The host starts off singing a fast-paced number where he puts on a show, dancing and walking around the bar to get people pumped.

Elias and I find a seat near the back where it’s semi-private and somewhat quiet.

“Sage!” a familiar voice calls out.

My bartender friend, Allan, shoves his way through the crowd and nearly tackles me with a hug. I’ve known Allan for years, ever since I first moved to New York City, and we worked together at a hole in the wall bar in the East Village. But I haven’t seen him since moving back. He’s gotten even more handsome. Tall and slender with a head full of blond curls and piercing blue eyes.

I can’t see Elias’s reaction to the hug, but I flick my hand at him anyway, knowing he’s already plotting all the ways to kill my friend.

To be fair, I’m also ready to sucker punch every person eyeing my man. He looks fine as fuck tonight. The mobby outfit makes him even more intimidating, if that’s possible. He’s also a massive guy so maybe people are wondering if he’s a football player or someone else famous.

His thick black hair is styled short at the sides with a few long pieces hanging over his forehead. I always want to push it back.

“Oh. Wow,” Allan says when he pulls away and spots Elias. “You’ve brought a scary one.”

“This is...”

Should I introduce him as Elias? Or Johnny, his alias?

“Um...”

“Carter,” Elias grumbles.

Okay, so we’re going with last name.

Elias shoots death glares Allan’s way, and I roll my eyes.

“Don’t mind him.” I wave my hand to distract Allan’s heated eyes away from my man.

Okay.

Wowww. I’ve never been the jealous type. This overwhelming possessiveness is new.

And I don’t exactly hate it.

“Do you two want anything to drink? I’m behind the bar tonight, but I’ll send your server out with them.”

“Can I get the usual? And Carter will have a whiskey on the rocks. Top shelf.”

Allan smirks. “Fancy.”

With a wink, he spins away, and I reach out my hand. Elias immediately takes it.

“We’re just friends.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“Mhm.”

He squeezes my hand gently. “What’s your usual?”