“What brings you in tonight, handsome?”
“Same shit, different day.”
“You do know that you can buy a bottle of scotch and do this at home too right?” I gave a nod. I knew that and yes, given my opinion on other people, drinking alone at home was one step away from AA meetings and admitting to a drinking problem. I wasn’t that man. I could stop whenever I wanted and if I was needed for something the next day, I wouldn’t drink the night before so that my mind was focused but nights like this were one in a million.
“That’s just pathetic.”
“True but it’s not like you talk to anyone, other than me and that is only a handful of sentences.”
“What can I say, I don’t like most people.”
“Most people? Who are the ones you do like?”
“My brothers.”
“Is that it?”
“Yes, should there be more?”
“Good looking man like you needs to get himself a good woman.”
“I’ll pass thanks.”
“Suit yourself. Holler if you need anything.” She filled up my glass again and went to serve another customer. I went to pick up my drink, as soon as my hand gripped the glass, I got hit with a strange feeling. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up and my arms were covered in goose bumps. I glanced around the room, casually looking around. Everyone in here was a regular face. Except for one. Her eyes met mine and something in me shifted. More than ever before, I needed to stay away from this girl. It was as though my life depended on it. More importantly though, hers did.
195
(Kane)
It has been about four months since I first saw her. I hoped that it was just a one off but every night I went back, she was there. After the first week, I decided to stay away and find a new place to drink. What the hell was she doing there? Did she know someone in town or was she just looking for some fun? If she was, she had certainly picked the wrong place for that. There were other, more crowded bars around that would be better for that. Why did she have to pick my bar? I know my thoughts sounded like a whiney child but still. It took me a little while to figure out what it was about her that got my attention. More so than the long brown hair that fell over her bare shoulders, down to her boobs that kept her top fixed in place. Her lips as pink as the top she wore with the jeans that fit her just right. Everything about her caught my eye, but it was the feeling I got when she was around that did it. I knew if I was around her then there was no way that I would be able to stop myself from staring at her. Staring would lead to her coming over to talk to me. No, for her safety, I couldn’t let her in. I would live with the feeling that something was missing because it was better than the feeling of devastation should something happen to her. As I sat at the new bar, feeling out of place, I looked down at my hands. The gloves protecting innocent people from my curse. Hearing the door open, I turned and saw Blaze coming in. He had been so caught up in a string of disappearances that I was surprised to see him. Not far behind him followed our enforcers. When the two of us were together we had, for lack of a better word, body guards. We had our SAA Bolt who we entrusted to keep order in the club while we were otherwise occupied, and yes any of these guys would have our back. Our enforcers would give their lives if needed. We hoped it never came to that though.
“Kane.”
“Blaze, how’s it going?”
“Same old. Still hiding I see?”
“I’m not hiding, it’s in her best interest if I stay away.”
“You keep telling yourself that.” I made a face and downed my drink. The bartender, Bryan, came over and topped up my glass and took Blaze’s drink order. Coming back and setting his beer down, Blaze picked it up. “You do know that she could be in more danger not being with you, right?” I sighed. He was right. There had been a string of disappearances around town lately and while we worked to find out what was going on, no one was safe.
“I can’t let it happen again though. It would literally kill me.”
“What is worse though, having your mate right there and having something happen to her that you can control or losing her to another force and never getting that chance? We don’t know what we are going to find if we ever find out what is happening with the girls in town, but could you live with yourself knowing you could protect her but didn’t because you were scared? Do you even know if your ability works against your mate?”
“No, but that is not a chance I can take.”
“So use the same precautions that you take with us. In the time we have all been with you, you have never hurt us, have you?”
“No.”
“Exactly. You are more in control now than you were years ago. What happened was an accident but it’s time to stop beating yourself up, get your shit together and face it. While you are happy to avoid it, it isn’t just about you. It affects her too.” Blaze finished off his beer and put the empty bottle on the bar. Pulling a few bills out of his wallet, he dropped them down next to it before turning and leaving. It took me a minute to realize he had gone though, as I was still a little shocked. Shaking it off, I drank the rest of my scotch and got off the stool. He was right, I had come
