Page 152 of Soul So Dark

“No, I’m leaving tomorrow for Colorado, to see my dad and brother. I was supposed to go for Easter, but I had a project and two papers due that week.”

As if it really matters. Aside from chocolate eggs and a feast with giant tomahawk steaks, the Lutzes don’t celebrate Easter, per se. So, postponing my visit for a couple of weeks isn’t an issue. Mostly, I’m curious about seeing Colson.

“Didn’t you say your brother was up in Alaska or somewhere?”

“I think it’s Canada now.”

“What does he do?”

I exhale slowly, chewing the side of my cheek. What does my brother do?

“Last I heard,” I crack a smile, “he hikes around the Arctic protecting rich people from polar bears.”

Kara’s head pops up from behind the bar. “Say what?”

“Well, scientists, too,” I chuckle, “allegedly.But from what my dad says, rich game hunters pay way more.”

“Shit,” Kara mutters, disappearing below again.

Suddenly, Sarah skids to a stop in front of the bar. “Dallas, can you please check on the patio for me? All this shit just hit at once!” she calls as she dumps an armful of bottles into the trash and flies into the kitchen.

I finish my drink orders and head out to the patio to make a sweep, clearing glasses and bottles and confirming no one is dying of starvation without their wings and pierogis. Finally, I reach the table in the back corner where a young woman with long dark brown hair is sitting, casually scrolling through her phone while sipping a lager. There are a couple of empty glasses in the middle of the table, so I prepare to sweep them up.

“Can I take these for you?”

She snaps her head up. “Yes, thank you,” she replies with a kind smile.

I start gathering the glasses in one arm when I feel someone brush against my shoulder.

“Oh, sorry.” I step aside when I realize it’s a guy returning to the seat across from her.

“You’re good,” he replies, leaning in slightly as he takes his seat.

As soon as I catch a hint of spearmint, my entire body tenses and I look over in horror.

Bowen looks up at me from his chair while he takes a long drag off a cigarette. One of the glasses slips from the crook of my arm and falls between my sneakers with a sharp crack. I look down, muttering a curse as I quickly step away from the broken glass.

“I see you’ve met Dallas,” Bowen says to the woman across the table.

“No, actually,” she replies. “Do you all know each other?”

My heart hammers as Bowen flashes me an impish smile.

“Dallas and I go way back. All the way back to high school.”

“Really?” The woman perks up and then introduces herself. “I’m Valerie. I’ve known Bo since high school, too.”

I don’t care who the fuck you are.

I give a polite nod and force a smile, trying to end this nightmare as soon as possible.

“Were you and Bo close?” She grins at Bowen like she’s about to learn some deep dark secret.

If she only knew.

“Practically family,” he mutters, sucking on his cigarette.

“Wow! When did you graduate?”