“I won’t let him bother me.” Lydia ran fingers through her hair, trying to put some order to the long length. Lydia had let the length grow out in the last few months. “Let’s not talk about him anymore. How is your son?”
“Luke’s a dream, and I swear, Caleb would do anything for him.”
She’d changed the subject in the hope of luring Donna away from talking about Henry. The scarred man terrified her. The coldness in his eyes always sent a shiver down her spine. Only once had she seen him look different, and that had been at Donna’s wedding. There had been something dark, almost alive within his gaze. Unlike Donna, Lydia wasn’t in the dark when it came to Caleb and Henry. Both were bad men, criminals of the highest order. Darren, before he was killed, had told her everything about the Deadly Duet. They were known for being a team, and anyone who tried to take them on ended up dead.
Darren didn’t leave anything out of his description of the two men. No, she wasn’t intrigued by the scarred man. He scared her.
Leaving the bathroom, she listened to Donna talk about Luke and Caleb together. She didn’t know how much Donna knew of Caleb’s business. Lydia wasn’t stupid. Caleb had warned her to keep her mouth shut or risk being dead. She had a shit life, but she didn’t want to lose her life by opening her mouth to tell the truth.
Back at the table, she watched Henry get to his feet and leave. She blew out a sigh of relief that was short lived as Caleb tugged Donna into his lap.
Sitting at their table feeling like the third wheel, Lydia took a sip of her soda. The barman had tried to get her to buy something alcoholic, but she refused. She was no longer drinking alcohol. Every time she drank, she took a man home who she later regretted having in her life. In her search for love she’d met too many toads.#p#分页标题#e#
There was no Prince Charming for her.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw Caleb was stroking up the inside of Donna’s dress. Lydia’s drink was empty, and she needed an excuse to get away from the couple. Their love made something clench deep in her gut. She didn’t need her own lack of love thrown in her face.
“I’m going to get a refill.” Getting to her feet, she left right before Caleb attacked Donna’s mouth.
Her friend was chalk to Caleb’s cheese, yet they were both totally in love. She stepped around the table, giving them as much room as possible. On the way to the bar she paused when she saw Henry was drinking alone. The only space was right next to him as the bar was filled with people lingering for a chance to get in on some action. Closing her eyes, she counted to ten then headed toward him.
She placed her glass on the counter, trying her hardest to ignore the man beside her.
“What are you doing here?” he asked.
“I’m getting a drink. Do you have a problem with that?” She glared right back at him. Lydia wouldn’t let him scare her. After everything she’d seen, she refused to let him see how much he unnerved her.
He wasn’t the one to pull the gun first.
No, Darren, her now deceased boyfriend, had been the one to pull the gun first and almost get her killed. If it hadn’t been for Henry reacting fast she wouldn’t be here now. God, he’d been so quick to draw his weapon and take out Darren.
“I’ve not got a problem with that. I’ve got a problem with you still being around when you’re not wanted. Can’t you take the hint and leave?” he asked.
“Why are you being so rude? I’ve never done anything to you.” She fisted her palms, wanting to hit him. There was no need for his attitude.
“This is who I am.”
“Our friends are married. I know you hate me, but you’ve got to learn to be civil.” She rested her hand on the counter, turning to face him. His gaze ran up and down her body.
“Stop checking me out.” She didn’t like the thrill that rushed through her at the interest in his eyes.
“Baby, I’ve got plenty of pussy on hand.” He took a sip of his alcohol. The glare from the bar’s light illuminated his face, showcasing the scar down the side of his face in harsh light. “I don’t need or want your fat pussy. You’re not the right woman for me. I like my women slender.”
His words cut her hard. She’d never been good at saying no to food and could afford to lose several pounds, but she never got around to it.
“Hey, honey, can I get you anything?” the barman asked.
What was his name again? Richard? She couldn’t remember.
Her chest was hurting from Henry’s cutting remarks. Tucking some hair behind her ear, she shook her head. “No, thanks. Erm, it’s time for me to go. Could you tell Donna I’ll see her another time?” She didn’t give either man a chance to respond.