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.Needed to know if the band members were coming back.Deciding he’d put his sight to use to read their lips, Keane leaned forward slightly and listened with his eyes.C’mon, Holly.Look at these guys, Leora said.They’re attractive, Holly replied.But I’m not up for it tonight.It? What was It? Keane’s body felt as if it ought to be sweating.You can have the taller one, Leora offered.Taller one? Both men looked pretty short to Keane.Of course, most people looked short to him, and generally he liked it that way.Maybe Holly liked tall as well, because she shook her head again.I’m tired.Maybe we should call it a night.I mean, we both have to get up early for work.Holly fiddled with the beads around her neck, and Keane sensed the rise in her anxiety level.He had an urge to swoop in to her rescue, but couldn’t do so without compromising his anonymity and probably pissing her off.You teach fifth grade, Holly, and you have a great class this year.Those kids could teach themselves.They won’t mind if you aren’t at one hundred percent tomorrow.C’mon, let’s enjoy ourselves.Leora gave Holly’s arm a fake punch.I don’t think so.I’m sorry, Leora.I don’t want to spoil your fun, but I’m not feeling myself.Holly pushed a curl behind her ear and moistened her lips.Was she sick? She hadn’t looked sick at home, but now her face was pale.Fine, Leora said.Do you mind if I go with them then? The drummer, Keith, wants to reminisce about the old days in the ’hood.Maybe make out a little.Leora wiggled her eyebrows.You want to go alone?Yeah.I can handle these guys.Leora tossed a look toward the stage.The two band members who had spoken to them waved, and Leora waved back.They’re harmless, and I’ve always liked Keith.I need a little something after the fight I had with the asshole currently invading my home.You sure that’s smart? Holly touched her friend’s shoulder, and Keane loved that she could care for Leora when, in his opinion, she was acting selfishly.If Leora left Holly alone in this dive, Leora was definitely going on Keane’s shit list.It’s what I need, Holly.To clear my head.Leora patted Holly’s hand still on her shoulder.Okay, but be careful and call me if you get into trouble.There won’t be any trouble.Leora shook her head.Keith was like my older brother back in the day.Hoping to change that relationship tonight.She elbowed Holly and raised an eyebrow.I meant be careful in general.With what happened at school today, we need to be alert.True.Leora’s expression turned serious.Will you be okay driving home?Yeah, it’s a short trip.Lock the car doors.Leora pressed a hand to Holly’s forehead.Are you sick? You look pale.Holly sent a glance around the bar, and Keane held his breath.I feel…I don’t know…watched or something.Shit.Keane nearly dropped the beer bottle in his hands as he searched for the quickest way out of the bar.He used to be better at undercover operations when he only watched demons he planned to kill.Not humans he possibly loved.Chapter Twenty“Watched?” Leora swiveled her head in all directions.“Everybody’s watching us here.” She leaned in closer to Holly.“I mean, take a look around, Holly.We’re the only babes in the place.”“No.” Holly shook her head.“Not watched like we’re being checked out, more like…spied on.” Goosebumps rose on her arms, and she absently rubbed at them.“All right.Forget it then.I’m staying with you.” Leora sat in her chair at the table they’d shared.Holly scanned the bar.Sure, it was crowded, and she couldn’t see all the faces in the dim light, but someone was definitely watching her.She was sure of it.She was also sure she wanted to leave right now.“Go, Leora.Keith is waiting for you, and I’m going to head home.It’ll be fine.I’m being silly.” She gestured to the band where Keith, the drummer, leaned against the stage.His eyes were assessing Leora with what Holly could clearly see was a mix of lust and something deeper.Leora was right about him being harmless.The way he was looking at Leora spoke volumes about his feelings, which if Holly had to guess, were honorable and then some.“I don’t want to leave you if you’re creeped,” Leora said.“I won’t be creeped if I’m going home.Don’t worry.” She patted her friend’s hand on the table, then gave her a little shove.“Go on.I want a full report tomorrow at lunch.”Leora smiled.“You’re the greatest, Holly.”“I know.” Holly laughed.“See you later.”Leora gathered up her jacket and purse.“Toodles.” She walked over to Keith who led her to the back exit where Firecracker’s tour bus was parked.Holly slung her purse over her shoulder, took the last sip of her wine, and wove through the crowd toward the front entrance.As she did so, she couldn’t help examining the people she passed.A table full of bleached blond middle-aged women.Another with four tattooed biker types.Still another with a set of couples who looked as if they were on a double date.Everyone was having a good time.She glanced toward the bar where every stool was occupied and something caught her eye.Someone.Tall, dark hair, blue eyes.She blinked, not believing she could have seen who she thought she did.When she focused back in the same direction, he was gone.You idiot.Now you’re picturing him everywhere.Pathetic.It was one thing to fantasize about Keane in his presence while the temptation of his handsome perfection was right there in front of her.It was quite another to be imagining him in places he wasn’t.She continued to the front door, but on her way, she spotted someone else she recognized.A blond-haired male with a mustache and scraggly beard.Close-set, dark eyes.The left eye stalked Holly from below a jagged scar across the eyebrow.Hendrick.The name filled Holly’s mind.She ran for the door, but he was closer to it.He’d get there before her, and with the next band already beginning to play on stage, no one would ever hear her scream for help.Calm down, Holly.You’re in a public place.People were around who would notice if Hendrick grabbed her.They’d stop him.Wouldn’t they?At this point, she wanted out of the bar, but was too afraid to go out into the parking lot alone.It would be dark there and less populated.She hated it when all her choices sucked.Hendrick’s thin lips were set in a smug smile.He leaned against the threshold of the bar’s front door now and tipped his head at her.He was definitely looking at her and knew she was trapped.Knew he had the upper hand.Holly turned around to head back toward the stage where the crowd was thicker.As she did so, she rammed right into someone who was standing close behind her.She jumped back, but strong hands gripped her upper arms.Without looking up, she jerked her arms free, grabbed onto the man’s right arm, lifted it, and in a ninja-quick motion, she sent her right hand chopping into the man’s ribs.He went down to a knee, groaned, and said, “A+, Holly.” Letting out a labored breath, the man shook his head, and slowly rose to his feet.She looked up to see Keane’s sky blue eyes searching her face.“What’s wrong?” He rubbed his ribs with his left hand.“Shit, Keane, I’m sorry.” She put her hand over his.“I didn’t know it was you.”“You did the right thing.Attack first.Assess later.” Keane straightened a bit more and took in several deep breaths.“Wonderful form on that move.”“I didn’t break anything, did I?”“No, but it hurt like a bastard, which is strange because I’m pretty indestructible.It’s like I’m more…human around you.”Something lit up in his eyes, but then he shifted his gaze to look behind her, and the light was gone.“Hendrick is here.” His voice had gone cold.“I think he’s here for me
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