Mettle & Bone by M J Moores

Author:M J Moores
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
ISBN: 9781988044163
Publisher: Infinite Pathways Press
Published: 2019-10-18T04:00:00+00:00

Chemistry Lesson

T he low, sultry tones of the piano clashed with Louisa’s reminiscences while she waited just outside the saloon door at the bottom of the stairs. Reliving her time as co-pilot elevated her pulse and electrified her body. She stared across the crowded tavern at Joe, who poured liquor in a never-ending stream. A lot of the songs that night echoed Louisa’s elevated mood, but the one playing now punched her in the gut. The heartache of the words tightened around her chest, reminding her of why she clung to the shadows by the door.

She hadn’t worked up the courage to cross the floor and apologize, but Joe’s bi-colored gaze had caught hers early on and bored into her soul. Much had been said between them in that moment, but not enough.

The line at the bar dwindled, compelling her to step forward … to finally set things right between them. A groan of hinges from the top of the stairwell halted her mid-step. Moonlight spilled across her boots. The figure at the top hesitated, then descended.

Louisa rolled her shoulders forward, encouraging her extra-wild locks to hide her face. She scrunched her nose to remind herself the mask sat in its proper place. The supple black leather became a second skin, and she often forgot she wore it. She turned and filled the entrance to the bar with her body. Morrison Tweed did not meet her gaze but walked past to the room at the end of the hall. Louisa’s blood boiled, heat flaring across her skin.

She followed him, her boot heels punctuating each measured step. Her chest welled with the mass of unspoken curses impatient to fly from her lips.

He kept his back to her, setting down a notebook and pencil on the travel table before shrugging off his coat and tossing it on the cot.

Louisa shut the door without turning away. The firm click emphasized her impatience. She’d avoided this moment all week, always finding someone in need as she made her way across town. But tonight, the revelry cascaded from the afternoon’s races into the streets, keeping everyone in high spirits. She’d managed to walk the entire way here without mishap. Louisa also walked the entire way replaying their pledge to one another, along with those striking words from Monday’s article: he cautions civilians against harboring anyone claiming to be Shadow Phoenix.

Louisa jammed her lace-covered fists on her hips, stance wide, shoulders back, and chin held high. Still, Tweed didn’t turn around, just hunched over his notes, futzing. Her face flushed, and she gritted her teeth so hard her molars hurt.

“Bloody hell, Morrison. Turn around and face me like a man.” Her voice shredded through the space between them.

He stiffened, standing tall; the muscles beneath his shirt shifted across his back as if chasing an itch. Tweed turned and crossed his arms.

“What’s got you in a snit?” His brows drew together. The dim light of the wall sconce flickered, sending the scar tissue down the left side of his face into deep contrast with the honey hue of his skin.

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