Dead Last (Crossroads Queen Book 3) by Annabel Chase

Author:Annabel Chase [Chase, Annabel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Red Palm Press LLC
Published: 2023-10-04T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 11

Following Kane’s advice, I arranged to meet Naomi Smith at the Devil’s Playground so that I had an extra set of eyes and ears nearby. And fists, if need be. I still felt uneasy about the meeting. My fervent hope was that Naomi would simply give up and return to headquarters, but in the end, I agreed with Kane. The longer I stalled, the longer she stayed. It was time to rip off the Band-Aid. I was confident Bruce hadn’t mentioned me in his final report to headquarters. It was likely only Solomon’s passing reference to me that led Naomi to my doorstep.

Kane positioned himself within earshot behind the bar. I requested that Josie stay out of sight. Then again, knowing Josie, she’d hand Naomi her ass if the situation demanded it. Might be worth the spectacle.

Naomi arrived on time, as I suspected she would, wearing a charcoal suit with spiked red heels. I waved to her from the table, not that it was hard to see me given the club was devoid of patrons at this hour.

Naomi sat in the chair across from me. “This place is quite an unexpected find,” she said, admiring the sophisticated decor. “I’m sorry I didn’t discover it sooner.”

“It’s a supernatural hotspot. I thought you’d appreciate the atmosphere.”

Her gaze flicked to Kane behind the bar. “I’m already a huge fan.” She opened the drinks menu. “I’m not much of a drinker, but I adore some of these cocktail names. Red Hot Martini. Monster Mule. Bloody Mary.”

“Bloody Mary isn’t…” I waved a hand. “Never mind.”

Her gaze snagged on the piano in the corner. “Will there be live music?”

“Not at this hour. The place fills up by midnight, so I thought it would be better to meet here on the early side. Less noise.”

“Smart. I’m not above mixing business with pleasure. Makes life more tolerable.” She closed the menu. “I’ll have a Hell on Wheels.”

“Gin or vodka?”

“Do I look like a sorority girl to you?”

“Gin it is. I’ll be right back.” I pushed back my chair.

“Can’t we just signal to the bartender? It isn’t like he’s busy with other customers.” She snapped her fingers at Kane. “Yoo-hoo! Over here, please.”

Kane shot me a dark look. Surprise, surprise. The prince of hell didn’t enjoy being ordered around.

I could practically feel Kane’s animosity from across the room. “I think he might have a hearing problem. I’ll get them.” I hurried to the counter. “Sorry about that.”

“Are you? I get the impression you’re rather enjoying it.”

“She’d like a Hell on Wheels with gin, and I’d like a Devil May Care on the rocks.”

“With salt?” he asked.

I gave him a prim look. “Make mine extra salty.”

Kane kept his expression neutral. “That tracks. Do you think she suspects something?”

“Too soon to tell. She likes the club, though. Mess up her drink so she doesn’t decide to linger.”

Kane scowled. “I have too much integrity.”

“You’re a demon from hell. How much integrity could you possibly have?”

“I refuse to dignify that with a response.

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