Page 21 of Rogue's Path

There’s no way I’m up for a repeat of earlier. I need to choose someone who won’t fry my already tipsy brain.

Why are there mostly couples? Because people came here to dance.

Oh, he’s interesting in a teddy bear kind of way. Why would a giant tattooed man come to a place like this, and then sit by himself in the corner nursing a beer?

A year ago, the woman he loved was murdered. Ever since then, he’s been searching for her murderer, determined to bring him to justice one way or the other. But he had to stop just for today to visit the place they met and remember her. What he hasn’t figured out yet is that it wasn’t a random event. He’s hunting a serial killer.

Or is he the serial killer searching for his next victim?

He isn’t your normal serial killer—that’s definitely an oxymoron.

You’re procrastinating. Go get this thing done. Teddy Bear seems like the best choice. He doesn’t notice me until I’m almost at his table.

The dark eyes on his face would definitely lead me away from the lost love theory, but those tattoos of his seem pretty dark. It’s a good thing I’m drunk enough not to be afraid. “Hello.”

He tips his beer up to me.

“You mind if I join you?” Do I want him to say yes or no?

“It’s a free world.”

Well, that wasn’t quite either. I take a seat. “Can I ask you a weird question?”

“Can’t stop you.”

Is he smiling or frowning? It’s impossible to tell under that bushy beard and mustache. Which matches his wildly curly shoulder-length hair. This man is really a bear. “Are you the hero or the villain?”

He snorts with laughter. “Both. It depends on the mood you find me in.”

That would make him morally grey. Is there such a thing as a morally grey teddy bear? He mauls his enemies to save the weak.

“Was there anything else you wanted to ask me?”

There definitely sounds like there’s a hint of laughter in his voice. “To ask you to buy me a drink?”

He nods at the waitress.

She’s over in a blink. “What can I getcha?”

“Another for me and whatever the lady wants.”

“Coffee, black. And do you have anything to eat?

“We’ve got chips and pretzels.”

The Morally Grey Bear looks like he can eat. “One of both, please.”

She walks away as fast as she came.

I didn’t expect that to be so easy. “You see, I came with a bunch of friends for a bachelorette party. And we were each dared to get a guy to buy us a drink. But I’m a little tipsy already.”

“Do you always get tipsy at parties?”

Me tipsy… “A half a glass of red wine is normally my speed. But life has been weird lately.”

“How so?” He leans forward on his massive, tattooed arms.

Should I tell him? It’s not like I’m ever going to see this guy again. We’re random strangers who crossed paths in a bar. “It all started a couple days ago with a couple dozen roses.”