Bad Wolf (Wild Men 4)

I find myself seated between Ev and Ocean. He leans in and smiles warmly.

“Didn’t get a chance to talk to you at the party.” His voice is light, his eyes and hair the color of summer sky. “I’m Ocean Storm.”

“Ocean Storm? Really?”

He winces and shifts away. “Yeah, really.”

“I’m sorry.” Shitshitshit. “Hey, I—”

“It’s okay. I know it’s funny. Go ahead and laugh.”

“It’s not funny.” My voice turns sharp and my insides churn, and I hate that I know exactly what he means and how he feels. I wonder how badly he was bullied because of his name. “I like it.”

He says nothing, but I could swear his eyes brighten a bit more. He sips his black coffee, half-hiding behind his mug, while Cassie leans over the table.

“Amber, right?” Her voice is a velvet purr. “We met at the party. I’m Cassie, I used to work with Ev. She says you’ve been friends forever.”

“That’s right.” I detect no jealousy in her big eyes. I like that.

“But you lived in Chicago for a few years?”

“Yeah.”

“Must be nice. I’d love to go to Chicago someday.” She turns her coffee cup in its saucer. “Someday, yeah…”

She seems nice, and her smile is dreamy and genuine. It’s hard not to like her, although she’s so pretty and likes Jesse.

Jeez, Amber. And why should that be a problem? Christ.

I need something to do with my hands, so I brighten when Ev waves to draw a waiter’s attention. A cappuccino would be nice, plus I can spin the cup, much like Cassie is doing, stare into it, sip at it, bang it around in its saucer… so many options, all preferable to interacting with people. With humans.

I think I know how cats must feel most of the time.

“Hey, guys,” a bright feminine voice says, “what can I get you?”

Our waitress is here, and her tanned face is familiar somehow.

“Meg, how’s it going?” Micah lifts his hand, and Meg gives him a high five. “How’s Rafe?”

Oh, right, she’s Rafe’s girlfriend.

“He’s all right. Trying to straighten out the paperwork for the shop. Not a happy camper, I can tell you, but it needs to be done after his uncle’s lies.” She grins, all white teeth and sparkling dark eyes. These boys sure know how to choose cute girls. I guess my theory that pretty attracts pretty stands.

“His uncle’s lies?”

I glance at Ev, hoping for an explanation.

“Long story,” she says. “Tell you later.”

“All these boys have long stories to tell,” Cassie mutters, quirking a grin at Ocean. His handsome features are locked in a scowl.

“That son of a bitch,” he mutters. “His uncle, that asshole, almost stole Damage Control from Rafe. From all of us.”

Okay, he does sound like a major ass. “From all of you? I thought the shop belongs to Rafe?”

“It does.” Ocean lets out a long breath. “But he and Zane made it a home for all of us. Zane taught us the job. Rafe helps us with the rent. All of us think of Damage as our home.”

“Okay, back up. All of you?” I don’t know why I’m starting to relax around these guys. Ocean makes me feel at ease. Micah, too, and Ev is right beside me, so maybe that’s why. “Who’re all of you?”