Page 74 of Crow
“I hope your brothers taught him a lesson.”
Turning to him, she smiled weakly. “They beat the crap out of him, but my heart was still broken.”
“But he got what he deserved for doing that shit to you. I respect your brothers for that.”
“They went into caveman mode. I just wanted to slip away.”
“So you escaped to Alina,” he said.
“Yeah.”
“Did it help you get over the asswipe?”
Shaking her head she laughed. “You have a way with words.”
Crow picked up the shot glass and threw it back. “Wasn’t he an asswipe?” he asked, setting the empty glass down on the table.
“He was.”
He spread open his arms. “There you go—I call it like I see it. So is the douchebag still rattling around inside you?”
“Not in my heart, but maybe a bit in my head. It’s hard to explain,” she said, her voice trailing away.
“You’ve been hurt so you’ve decided not to go down that road again with any dude. I get it.” Running his finger around the rim of the top of the empty beer bottle, he looked away. “That shit gets in your head—it’s bound to.”
A subtle hint of hurt pushed through his deep timbre. Without thinking, Angie brushed her fingertips across his forearm. His gaze shifted back to her, and for the space of a long breath they stared at each other until she said softly, “Someone broke your heart too.”
Crow tilted back his chair and snorted. “Fuck that—my ex was a skank. Best thing I ever did was divorce her ass.”
“You weremarried?”
Crow laughed. “Don’t act so shocked.”
“I’m not … well, I am, but … I don’t know,” she said, ripping the corners of the cocktail napkin.
“No worries. Looking back, I’m shocked that I married the bitch.”
“You’re still in pain. I get it.”
He set the two front legs of his chair back down on the tile floor and leaned forward. “I’m not in pain or any of that shit. It’s history.”
Sensing that he didn’t want to talk about his feelings, Angie commenced shredding the paper napkin.
Crow motioned to the waiter and, over Angie’s objections, ordered another round of drinks for both of them. He stared out the window, a deep frown etched into his handsome face. When the waiter placed the drinks on the table, Crow lifted the beer bottle to his lips without meeting her gaze.
“Shit’s going down at Madera Crossing.”
The sound of his voice startled her.
“What?” she replied.
“Madera Crossing.” He locked his eyes on hers. “That’s why we got together tonight, remember?”
His words snapped at her like the sting of a rubber band, but she refused to show their effect on her. Smiling sweetly, she picked up her drink.
“Of course. I was wondering when you were going to bring it up. What’s on your mind?”
“I’ve been talking to the residents and there’s someone stalking the place at night. They call this dude the shadow man. They think he’s some fuckin’ demon who comes out from the shadows and roams the halls and stairways at night.”
