Devil in the Details by Aria Wyatt

Author:Aria Wyatt [Wyatt, Aria]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: novel
Publisher: Compass Prose Books, LLC
Published: 2023-08-08T16:00:00+00:00

It’s Wednesday night. I dragged my sorry ass to The River after making out in the car with Elinora again. I bartended on Monday and Tuesday, but tonight I’m in the lagoon.

I swallow against the acid in my throat and head for the bar, needing some whiskey to numb the ache in my chest.

Gideon eyes me. “Why do you look like somebody stomped your puppy?”

Ignoring Esme’s one-drink limit for employees, I knock back two shots of Jameson. I’ll need the alcohol to survive my shift. “I don’t want to be here.”

He smirks. “You may change your mind when you see who’s on your schedule.”

Unless it’s Elinora, there will be no mindset adjustment. “Oh yeah?”

He holds up a clipboard. “The beautiful Ms. Alvarez.”

Maya. Before I met Elinora, the mention of my friend’s name would more than stir my loins. Tonight? Absolutely nothing.

“Cool.”

Gideon grips my arm. “What’s going on, man? You’ve been on edge. Does it have something to do with your boss?”

“Which one?” I snort, pouring a third shot of Irish whiskey.

“Lady E.”

I swallow the shot. “Again, which one?”

“Oh, fuck.” He chuckles. “That’s right. I didn’t realize both start with E. That’s kinda funny.”

“In other circumstances, it would be hilarious. Now? Not so much. I’m fucked, bro.”

“Thought you were gonna slit Z’s throat when he tried hitting on her that night.”

“Yeah.” I stare at the wall of glass bottles like they can get me out of this mess. Forget mess, my situation is a five-alarm dumpster fire, and I’m the moron holding the match. Zarek is only the first layer of burning garbage. Supposedly, he’s a changed man, but I still don’t trust him. Correction, I will never trust that asshole. Especially not around Elinora. “He’d better stay the fuck away from her.”

“Never seen you like this before.” Gideon eyes me while rubbing his jaw. “Normally, you jump at the opportunity to be with Maya.”

“My life’s normalcy is nonexistent.” I lower my voice to a whisper. “I only want to be with one woman. Period. End of story.”

“But Esme’s got you by the balls?”

“Yep.”

“So, what’s your game plan?”

I run both hands over my face. “I have no fucking clue.”

“Howdy, boys,” Maya calls from behind us as she approaches the bar.

I flash Gideon a warning look before spinning around. “Hey. You’re not usually here on a Wednesday.”

“Heard you were gonna be here, so I figured I’d drop by.” She grins and settles on a bar stool, eyeing the bottles of booze. “I’m thirsty.”

Gideon smiles. “What can I get you?”

“I’m feeling fruity.” She tucks a wayward strand of hair behind her ear and studies the drink menu. “How about Grey Goose and cranberry?”

He grabs a glass. “Light on the cranberry, I assume?”

“You know it.”

We have a two-drink limit at The River to ensure members are aware of what—and who—they’re doing. Nowadays, Maya only ever orders one, and it’s always the same. I’m not sure why she bothers looking at the menu.

“Don’t forget her two lime wedges,” I add, sipping my whiskey.

She points to my glass.

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