“What in the hell are you doing?” Ramsey demanded in the tone that said don’t fuck with me.
But Jinx just tightened his hold and craned around the guy. “Oh, hell, no.” Horror hit him. I knew that salt was gonna lead to trouble.
“I want you out of this bar.” Ramsey’s words were low and cold. Icily furious. “I want you out of my sight. If you come near me again, I will kick your ass.”
“You and what army?” Jinx replied automatically.
Ramsey waved one hand vaguely in the air. Immediately, half a dozen chairs were shoved back in response to the small signal. The legs of the chairs groaned and creaked as men and women shot to their feet.
“Right.” Jinx nodded. “That army. Almost forgot they were here.” Total lie. He hadn’t forgotten. He just hadn’t cared. What he did care about…she was standing near the doorway. She should not be here. “I’ll leave, but I’m taking her with me.”
“Her?” What could have been vague curiosity filled Ramsey’s rough voice.
“Um, yes, the angel who just strolled in obviously looking for a bit of hell. She’s mine.” A total declaration of intent. “How about you let your little army know so that no one gets the dumb idea to so much as put a finger on her? Because if that happens, I’d have to stop being so nice.” He let go of Ramsey. Started for his angel.
Only Ramsey was now turning and staring at her, too. Shit. The last thing Jinx wanted was for Ramsey’s attention to wander to her. Not today, not freaking ever, thanks.
The angel was still in the doorway. Deep, thick brown hair spilled over her shoulders—brown hair shot with the faintest of blond highlights. Were the highlights natural? He didn’t know. Didn’t care. They were gorgeous. So was she…with her full lips, cute little nose, those high cheekbones, and the deep, dark eyes that could sometimes make him forget his own name.
Well, his real name, anyway.
She stood in the doorway, and her gaze darted around the shady bar as if she was looking for someone.
Lucky for her, she’d just found someone.
Him.
Jinx made his way right to her. Her head had been turned away as he approached, but as he closed in, her focus changed. Her head angled toward him, and her eyes locked on his. Stunned awareness flooded into her gaze. “You.”
“Me.” He smiled.
She didn’t.
She did look worried.
The same way she’d looked worried on the beach. The faintest hint of fear slid into her eyes before she masked it. Damn odd. Once upon a time, he would have sworn that Alison Carter didn’t fear anything or anyone.
Apparently, he’d been wrong.
Not exactly the first time that situation had occurred.
“What are you doing here?” she said. Her breath caught. “Did you follow me?”
“Ah, yeah, sweets, I was here first.” He jerked a thumb over his shoulder. “I was at the bar, enjoying shots…oh, wait, you enjoy them, too, from what I recall of our acquaintance.” Yes, he’d just gone there. “Want to have one with me, you know, for old time’s sake?”
Her adorable chin whipped up. “I am not here to drink.”
“Really. Huh. You’re in a bar, and you’re not here to drink.” He paused. “Now just call me curious but I am dying to know…why are you here? It’s definitely not the atmosphere. Don’t tell the owner…” Who was glowering at them. “But the place is a shithole.”
She didn’t immediately answer him. He waited. Jinx had a suspicion about why she was in the bar, and it wasn’t a good one. Ramsey’s wasn’t exactly the type of place to attract tourists. Quite the opposite. It attracted a much rougher, shadier element.
The people in Ramsey’s were usually either criminals or people looking to hire criminals. Since he didn’t know of any law that Ali had broken, that made him think she belonged in category number two…
People looking to hire criminals.
“Is this the meeting you couldn’t miss?” he asked.
Her gaze swept around the bar. “What I’m doing here is none of your business. Now, if you will excuse me…”
“No.”
“What?”
“No, I will not excuse you. See, it’s bad form to leave a friend in a dangerous situation. What kind of man do you think I am?”
“We covered this,” she hissed. “I am not a friend, and I can handle myself. I can—”
“Why the hell are you still here?”
Jinx didn’t stiffen at the thundering voice. He did sigh, though. Leave it to Ramsey to interrupt at a delicate moment. “I’m still here,” he tossed back without looking away from Ali, “because I happen to be talking to my friend.” He used that word deliberately.
And Jinx saw the mutinous set of Ali’s jaw.
“I told you,” she began, “I’m not—”
“Any friend of Jinx’s…” Ramsey’s voice boomed out. “Is not welcome here.”
Oh, how excellent. Ramsey had responded just as Jinx had hoped. He winked at Ali because he was feeling so pleased.
She gaped back at him. “What is going on?”
It was Ramsey who replied. He snapped. “You’re getting your ass tossed out. You and your boyfriend.” He put his hand on Jinx’s shoulder. Tightened his grip. Hard. Then he leaned in and whispered to Jinx, “I don’t want to be fucking saved. I won’t tell you again. Stay away.”
“Well, you don’t have to be rude about it,” Jinx huffed.
“Yes, with you, I do.” Ramsey let go of Jinx. Glared at a confused Ali. “Don’t know why he brought you here, but you won’t be getting through those doors again. I will make sure the bouncers know to never let you in.”
“But, but—” she sputtered.
“But nothing.” Jinx reached for her hand. “You heard the man, love. We’d better be going.” Then he let his own gaze sweep the crowd. He was conscious of all the eyes on him. “Don’t look like the friendly sort. Bet the bartender doesn’t ever offer Sex on the Beach to anyone.”
Ramsey pointed to the door. “Get the fuck out.”
Jinx tugged Ali with him. “Going.”
“But I was supposed to meet someone!” Ali was digging in her heels. “I had a meeting with Ram—”
Jinx lifted her up and tossed her over his shoulder. He was sure she’d be pissed as hell, but desperate times did call for desperate measures.
Catcalls and whistles burst into the air. Oh, yes, sure, now the crowd there responded to him. What the hell ever. He carried a squirming Ali past gawking bouncers and out into the night. He didn’t stop walking, didn’t ease up his grip on her, not until they were away from the bar and beside his motorcycle. Only then did he lower her to the ground.
She came up swinging. Luckily, he was fast at ducking. She missed him. When she swung again, he caught her fist. “Baby, your skills are with computers, not hand to hand.” Actually, he knew she had passable hand-to-hand skills.
He was just better at fighting than she was. Mostly because he loved to fight dirty.
Even as he had that thought, Ali kicked his shin. Hard enough to have him wincing.