Chapter Eight
Sitting in a corner booth, Liv scanned the room while she waited for Cassie and Bart to join her. There were far more patrons in the Italian restaurant on a Tuesday night, and she had to double-check the date on her phone to see if there was a special occasion she had forgotten. Nope. Just the dog days of summer and probably too damn hot to stand over a stove and cook a meal for a family.
Sipping her Cabernet, she couldn’t help thinking about the kiss she shared with Lawson earlier that day. It was unforgettable, searing her mind with every minute detail. His soft, full lips brushing against hers and his warm breath across her face had her wanting so much more. In fact, the pent-up lust left her tense and crabby.
Cassie plopped her petite frame on the bench across from hers, drawing Liv out of her memory. “Yo, chica. You’re a million miles away. What gives?” she asked, pulling her long brown hair into a ponytail as she smacked on her chewing gum. It was an annoying habit that drove Liv through the roof.
“Stop chomping. You’re not a cow,” Liv snapped then felt badly for insulting her friend. She didn’t deserve to be the brunt of Liv’s frustrations.
“Wow, somebody had a bad day,” Cassie countered, motioning to the waiter. Ordering the same as Liv, she flirted with the young guy for a few minutes before he sauntered to his other patrons. He was precisely Cassie’s type went. Big, beefy and not so bright. She claimed they were uncomplicated and eager to please which was code for they enjoyed performing oral sex. Cassie had a rule. Go down or go home.
“I’m sorry, that was shitty. It wasn’t a bad day at all. I’m strung tight,” Liv admitted, sticking a piece of bread in the herb and olive oil dip before stuffing it in her mouth.
The cute waiter brought Cassie her wine and set it down along with a napkin then walked away. Cassie picked up the paper square and smiled satisfactorily. He had written his phone number and a name with a smiley face. Her friend was smooth, alright. She had rightfully earned Liv’s endearing term heartbreaker.
Liv rolled her eyes and Cassie started laughing and shrugged. “Hey, girls got needs. And, he has a fine ass. Anyway, what has you so discombobulated. Don’t tell me that boss of yours copped another feel,” she commented sarcastically.
“Please don’t talk about him. I haven’t had enough drinks to go down that road. This is about the shifter I told you about,” Liv admitted.
She would eventually tell Cassie about the handjob she gave Jim, but not tonight. There was still a bad taste in her mouth from that interlude. Not to mention her skin still stung from the repeated bleachings she’d put her hands through. Plus, there were more important issues she wanted to talk about.
“Lawson, right?” she asked, and Liv nodded. “How are things going with him? Make any headway yet?”
“He kissed me today,” Liv stated, and instantly her friend spewed wine and began choking, probably from swallowing her gum.
Liv laughed as she handed Cassie a napkin and glass of water. Her friend took the glass and took a hefty gulp, which seemed to stop her coughs.
Dabbing at the red mess on the front of her t-shirt, Cassie blurted, “Okay, back it up. I need details. What the fuck are you thinking?”
Liv quickly glanced around to see if anyone was offended by her friend’s outburst. They were in a family restaurant, not a bar. Luckily, no one was paying them any attention and Liv looked back to Cassie whose eyes fixed on hers.
“I don’t know what I’m thinking. I gave Lawson a haircut today, and some clean clothes and we had a moment. It was just a peck, more like a thank you than anything. It wasn’t that big a deal,” she lied, trying to convince herself as much as her friend. The truth was, it had consumed her thoughts since it happened and she couldn’t shake how he made her feel.
“Yeah, right. No big deal? Then why you chewing on your lip like it’s a piece of gourmet chocolate. Have you forgotten what he did to those two men? You were horrified by it. Seriously, you can’t get involved with a shifter,” she ordered, lowering her voice when she said the last part. Cassie had a point, and Liv knew she was looking out for her best interest, but she didn’t know Lawson as Liv did.
“Of course I haven’t forgotten. But I told you the guard was beating him. They treat him like shit, hitting him nearly daily. I’ve gotten to know him a little, and he has a very kind heart. You should’ve seen his face when he talked about his family. He’s got a isn’t a monster.”
“Oh, no! You’re falling for him, aren’t you? Do I need to hack the system at work so you two lovebirds can have a conjugal visit?” she inquired, waggling her eyebrows.
Liv had to laugh at her friend. She was a crazy mess. Truth was, if anyone could pull off that stunt, it was her geek friend. Software programmer by day, party girl by night. It was the oddest combo, but she pulled it off.
“No! I’m not, and no, I don’t need you crashing our intel at PRL, thank you very much. Cassie, there’s something happening at work that doesn’t sit well with me. I’m telling you. There was another shifter in the room next to Lawson’s and now he’s gone. And now, someone covered all the windows to the other locked rooms. I can’t see through them anymore,” she explained. Liv had told Cassie about Jim’s theory on shifter blood, but this new development was icing on the cake as far as Liv was concerned.
Cassie’s brown eyes widened as she listened to Liv’s rant. “You need to listen to me. This is out of control. I feel like I’m watching an episode of CSI. I don’t want to wake up next week and see your face on the back of my milk carton. You need to quit, Liv,” she begged.
Liv had considered the potential danger of the situation, but to walk away now wasn’t an option. She was in too deep. Not just because of Lawson, but for all the shifters. She was certain her company was kidnapping and possibly killing them. That was unacceptable, and she couldn’t leave and forget about everything. Especially, not Lawson.
Spotting Bart walk through the front door of the restaurant, Liv raised her hand and waived, capturing his attention. “Listen, Bart’s here. Please don’t say a word about my kiss with Lawson. I don’t need the two of you ganging up on me,” Liv instructed and scooted over to allow room for Bart to sit down.
“Yeah, yeah, it’s on lock-down,” Cassie remarked as Bart approached the table. “Hey, handsome. Liv tells me we’re getting crazy at the governor’s mansion. Watch out. The pool party might become a nudist colony,” Cassie teased, high-fiving Bart as he sat beside Liv, kissing her cheek.
“Promises, promises,” he teased, showing her his winning smile.
Holy shit, Liv thought. Between the two of them, she felt like she was in the middle of Flirt and Flirtier. They always did this. Yanked each other’s chains even though they had no real interest in each other.
“You know you want to see our pink parts, Bart,” Cassie countered, and Bart threw his hands up in the air while at the same time Liv covered her mouth in shock, bursting with laughter.
“I give, you win! I have nothing to say to that one,” he said, glancing over at Liv.
She was surprised to see his cheeks had reddened which was hard to do considering his golden tan. Was he embarrassed by the idea? They had seen each other naked many times, albeit many years ago. And if rumors were true, Bart more than knew his way around a woman’s body.
“Oh, that was too easy. Maybe you need a drink,” Cassie replied, capturing the attention of the hottie.
The waiter bee-lined to their booth and Bart ordered a bottle of wine for them. The good stuff, too. Liv and Cassie were drinking the cheap shit, but Bart wouldn’t think about serving them anything less than the best. He wasn’t arrogant about it. It was just his way. He had the money and liked treating her and her friend.
“Have either of you eaten?” he asked, grabbing the menu.
“No, we were just chatting about PRL until you arrived. I wasn’t sure what the plan was or if you’d want dinner. I’m going to have a salad,” Liv answered, looking over Bart’s shoulder at the menu his was holding.
“TKO, you need some meat on your bones. How about a nice big ribeye?” he teased, leaning against her side.
Meat was not her thing, and he was so full of shit. There was more padding on her rear end than a side of beef. Thank God she carried it well on her tall frame. Her long legs were her best feature, and she knew it. Cassie was about five inches shorter than Liv, so the two of them looked like the odd couple standing next to one another.
“Yes, and make it rare. I want that sucker bleeding when it comes out,” Liv joked, and Bart threw his head back and laughed. It was good to see him relaxed and having fun, especially, since his job was so stressful.
“Well, the only rare meat I want is right over there,” Cassie said, pointing to the waiter, Mark, according to the hand-written note he left her. He was bending over a table, serving a family of six and his backside was facing them.
“Uh, oh. Cassie’s on the prowl tonight. Look out,” Bart exclaimed, glancing over at Liv and winking. She shook her head at him then continued perusing the menu.
“So, what were you two chatting about when I walked up? Looked pretty serious for someone focused on hooking up with a waiter,” he professed, shoving a piece of bread in his mouth.
Sharing a knowing look of secrecy with Cassie, Liv spoke first. “I was just catching her up on my suspicions about PRL. I mentioned that the other shifter that was in one of the rooms is gone. I don’t know what it means, but I’m concerned,” she offered, glancing up as Mark approached, carrying a bottle of wine and glass for Bart.
He proceeded to open it, allowing Bart to sample the wine before serving Liv and Cassie then Bart. One sip and Liv’s eyes rolled back in her head. Damn, that was delicious and not something she could afford on her salary. Liv and Cassie’s wine might as well have come out in a Dixie cup, for all it was worth. Mark flirted with Cassie the entire time, and Liv was certain they would be meeting after he got off work.
After taking their food orders, Mark walked off, and Bart turned slightly in his seat so that his back was to the crowded room. “Yeah, about that. I did a little digging. There have been about ninety-five shifters that have gone missing in the last three years in our city alone. That might not seem like a high number in the human population of a large city, but for them it’s astronomical. Shifters don’t have the same factors involved in missing person cases. They are a very tight-knit group. This is a huge concern for them,” he reported, brow furrowed. He had gone from light-hearted to serious in a split second, and Liv knew when Bart was worried about something.
“I told you something is going on at PRL,” Liv divulged, locking eyes with Cassie then Bart.
“Hold up, Liv,” he interjected. “I have no idea who or what is responsible. I’m just telling you that a significant number have gone missing. Now, there is also a myth, or maybe it’s a fact, I don’t know, about shifters going insane. Reaching a point of no return then turning half-man-half-animal. They call them Ravins. Some members of their community think that’s the explanation for the missing shifters,” he added, taking a sip of his wine.
“Wow, that’s crazy. I’ve never heard of anything like that. Sounds like a werewolf, if you ask me,” Cassie declared. Liv hadn’t heard that before, either. She would have to broach the subject with Lawson.
“Still, I’m going to reiterate this, Liv. You need to get the hell out of that place. There are other companies that would jump at the opportunity to hire you,” Cassie suggested, moving their snacks out of the way to make room for their plates. Mark was back with their food, all the while, flirting unabashedly.
“I’m not quitting my job. I’m working on several projects that I’ve put my heart and soul into, not to mention endless, hours on the weekends. I have no desire to leave just yet. Plus, I want to find out if PRL is involved in the missing shifters,” Liv stated, pouring Greek dressing over her Mediterranean salad.
“Cassie has a point. I’m not saying you should leave your job, but I am suggesting that you be extra careful and don’t take unnecessary risks. If your boss is involved, I can guarantee he wouldn’t think twice about eliminating you, or, anyone else that gets in his way. Please watch your back,” Bart pleaded, and Liv saw worry behind his dark brown eyes.
Mark walked over and placed a large plate in the center of the table. It was a dessert, and there were three spoons surrounding it. A walnut brownie topped with ice cream, hot fudge, and whipped cream. He had even put cherries at the base in the shape of a heart.
“It’s on the house,” he offered, winking at Cassie. Geez, they might as well strip and have sex on the table with the chemistry exploding between them.
Meeting Bart’s eyes he snickered with Liv, and she knew he was thinking the same thing about the couple.
“I promise to be careful. I know how serious this is. The last thing I want is to become Jim’s next victim,” she confessed and then silently acknowledged she already was.
Jim was savvy and didn’t miss a thing. No, that man was well-aware Liv cared for Lawson, and it was clear he was going to continue to use that to his advantage. Next time, he could demand more, and then what? Liv wanted to help Lawson, and had already proved she’d do some despicable things, but she refused to have sex with that slimeball.
As their conversation turned lighter, focusing on the upcoming event at Bart’s house, Liv’s mind wandered to Lawson. His rugged good looks, strong muscled body, seductive pools of liquid silver she wanted to drown in, not to mention the bulging sight between his legs.
She still couldn’t get past how big he was. Now there was a handjob she’d gladly volunteer to give. If she could even wrap her hand around it. She might have to use both.
“What do you think, Liv?” Cassie’s voice intruded on her lascivious thoughts.
“Huh, what?” she asked, shaking off the haze of lust that trapped her.
“I was asking about food. Burgers and dogs or go fancy? Bart suggested surf and turf. I think since it’s going to be during the day it should be long weenies and soft buns,” she uttered, waggling her perfectly-arched eyebrows.
Cassie was cute as a button. Petite, flawless complexion and sassy as hell. It was no wonder the guys flocked to her side. Liv loved being around her. Whether they were shopping, watching chick flicks, or hitting the town for a girl’s night out, Liv laughed so hard she cried. Nothing beat hanging with her friend.
“I’m with Cassie. If it were an evening party, the surf and turf would be perfect, but burgers and dogs work better with day drinking. Cold beer on a hot day sounds good to me,” Liv admitted.
“Consider it done then. You two pick a date and send me a list of items we need to make this happen,” Bart announced as he motioned for the waiter. “I hate to eat and run but I’ve got a hot little number blowing up my phone,” he added, reaching for his wallet.
Mark casually strolled over, and Bart asked for the check. Throwing down a few big bills, Bart leaned over and kissed Liv on the cheek. He lingered for a moment and kissed her again, this time at the corner of her mouth. “Later, TKO. Be safe and keep me posted on things at work.”
“I will. Bye, BS. Don’t go breaking any hearts tonight,” she teased, pushing him out of the booth.
Standing, he straightened his button-down and glanced at Cassie. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” he remarked, tilting his head toward the waiter.
“I’ll try and remember that. Enjoy your dessert, I mean, evening,” she countered, popping a cherry in her mouth and blowing Bart a kiss.
Knowing her girlfriend was itching to talk privately with Mark, among other things, Liv wrapped up their evening after they picked a date for the party and jotted down items needed. It was going to be fun, and she looked forward to relaxing at Bart’s pool.
As she drove home from the restaurant, Liv’s mind wandered back to Lawson and the conversation with Bart. He mentioned the number of shifters missing, and she couldn’t help but think of Lawson’s family. Maybe Lawson would tell her more about them, and she could try and find out where they were. She prayed for his sake they were safe.
She had always feared the shifter side of town. Would it be as scary as she imagined? Lawson had shown her a kind and gentle side to him, but would other shifters see her as the enemy? And worse, would she find more conclusive evidence against her boss’s involvement?
Solidifying her mind’s decision, Liv felt herself getting deeper and deeper in a world filled with animals, kidnapping, torture, and even murder. How would she fare on the receiving end of his world?