Chapter 3

“A confession to make? Oh, do tell.” Lana smiled back at the gorgeous man, enjoying the banter for the first time in as long as she could remember.

“I wasn’t really looking at the menu. I was thinking how glad I am that I chose to come back here and that this restaurant is still open.”

“Why wouldn’t it be open?”

“You know how it is. Places on the River Walk change over time.” His answer was too evasive, and suddenly Lana was back on full alert.

“You haven’t been down to the River Walk in a while?” She worked to keep her tone casual.

“I haven’t really been around much in general.”

Crap. This could be bad. Maybe he was one of Trevor’s guys after all? “Are you in the service? Were you deployed?”

“No. Not at all.”

“With all the military bases around, we get a lot of veterans in here. When you said you hadn’t been around, I thought maybe you meant you had been stationed somewhere else.” And it wasn’t an irrational assumption—though she realized that she’d also been assuming his injury was a result of military service. But what else could damage a tiger-shifter so badly that he wouldn’t be able to regenerate his arm when he shifted?

“I’ve just been away. And…” He paused for a second, then took a deep breath and forged on. “And a bit lonely. If you’re feeling like doing a good deed, you could cheer a lonely guy up on his first visit back down to the River Walk in a while.”

Yeah, better to switch the topic back to something lighter. “Well, my parole officer has been on my ass about getting some community service done.”

“Parole officer? Got caught stealing too many men’s hearts?” Roman rolled his eyes and bumped up the cheese-factor of the line.

“Bumping off liquor stores. I had a good run there for a while, but between debit cards and security cameras, it got to be too risky for too small a take.”

“I’ve heard that. Occupational hazard, I guess.”

“Yes. Now, I abduct men against their will and take them for everything they’ve got. You ordered two drinks and an appetizer, so that means you’re rich, right? Carry a lot of cash? That would make my week if you did. The last two men I tried to roll ended up being dirt poor.”

“Well, I guess it’s your lucky night.” He continued to play along. “I’ve got a ton of cash burning a hole in my pocket, and I’m an easy target. Gullible as all get-out.”

“Promise?” She eyed him.

“I swear on these margaritas’ lives.”

“Speaking of which, you’d better get busy. This humidity is already going to work on them.”

“You first.”

“Nice try.” She gave him a wry grin. “Time to work another angle.”

“I’ll make you a deal. If I finish these two, then go have some drinks with me after your shift.”

“Oh, there’s an accomplishment,” she chuckled lightly. “A big man finishing two drinks. What a goal.”

“I’m a lightweight,” he corrected. “A couple of these, and it’ll be easy for you to abduct me and rob me. Maybe even take advantage of me.”

“A lightweight?” she countered, making a show of examining the breadth of his chest and shoulders. “I highly doubt that.”

“Well, there’s only one way to find out.”

“Keep trying,” she baited him. A party of four arriving at a table in her section snagged her attention. “I’ll be back to check on you in a minute, sugar.” Oh, why did I say that? She beat a hasty retreat, so she didn’t have to catch his reaction to her endearment.

Her new customers were all middle-aged, wearing Nebraska shirts, and carrying bags from stores at the River Center, the upscale mall on the River Walk. They also took an eternity to decide what to drink.

As she waited, a fixed smile on her face, Lana found herself glancing at Roman out of the corner of her eye and wanting to get back to his table. Even though he didn’t exactly have the best pick-up lines, she loved how playful he was.

It’s been too long since I’ve spent time around other tigers. I miss how they could play. The thought left her unexpectedly sad.

To her surprise, Lana realized she was relaxed and comfortable chatting with him, which was rare for her. And it doesn’t hurt that he’s absolutely gorgeous, with his dark eyes and hair and slight Hispanic accent.

Once she got the drink orders, she deliberately passed by Roman’s table to ask how the margaritas are.

“They’d be better if you were having them with me.”

“Of course they would.” She grinned at him as she headed over to the bar.

Carla was a little swamped but made it over to Lana quickly. “Nebraskan party crashers, huh? Looked like you and your guy were hitting it off for a while.”

“Yeah, he’s nice. Loves to flirt.”

“They all do. Is he local or from out of town?”

“Still trying to figure that one out.” Lana wrinkled her brow. “It sounds like maybe he used to live here and moved back. Or maybe he’s visiting.” Or maybe he’s a tiger-shifter on the hunt for a former pack-alpha’s daughter.

“Girl, find out. If he’s only here for a few days, you have to make your move.”

“My move? That’s his job, remember?”

“Not when they look like that, hon. You gotta close the deal, mija.”

Lana laughed aloud. “You’re such a dude.” Talking to Carla always put her in a cheery mood. “Anyway, The State of Nebraska would like four ice waters, three iced teas, and a swirl margarita.”

“Coming right up. Go back and check on your Jefe, before someone else gets him.”