Vice (Tortured Heroes Book 1) by Jayne Blue Page A

room but stopped himself. He took a step forward, invading my personal space in the most delicious way. “Well, that’s probably a good idea. But just so you know, it’s not just professionalism keeping me from kissing you again.”
    “Oh?”
    He shot me that rakish smile and leaned in close. “Oh, it’s a little bit of that. But it’s more knowing that if there’s a next time, we won’t just stop at kissing.”
    Electricity shot through me and heated my core. I gasped and clamped my mouth shut again as he gave me a wink and turned to leave.

Chapter Seven
    D evin
    Despite Jase’s bad review from my Bluetooth speakers, the new band didn’t suck. At all. In fact, they were brilliant. The platinum lead singer had a Kurt Cobain vibe about him except he was taller and buff. That little detail wasn’t lost on every girl in the place. They crowded the stage to get a better look and I pulled up their YouTube channel on my phone again. They called themselves The Malcontents and the name fit. All five guys were drop-dead sexy bad-boy types and it didn’t take me long to realize I had a potential fucking gold mine if I booked them again next week. This might just make up for everything that happened with Jase.
    I walked back into the main bar to make sure everything hummed out there as well. I stepped behind the bar and shot Kinney a thumbs-up. He wiped the sweat from his brow with his forearm. He poured two margaritas at once and garnished them with a flourish. He was on top of his game tonight too.
    “Holy shit, Dev.” Georgia leaned over the bar, breathless. “We’re going to break a record tonight, I bet. Drinks are flowing and everyone’s in a good mood. I bet I clear two hundred!”
    I shot her a thumbs-up. I danced on the balls of my feet, not so much to the rhythm, but from the buzz of delight from everyone around me. This might just be lightning in a bottle. A thought flashed through me that made me go still. I wanted to go get Jase. He was stuck in the back of the kitchen, away from the excitement. Part of me wanted to gloat and say I told you so. The band was terrific. His taste in music sucked. But I also found myself wanting to share the triumph with him. I wasn’t used to that at all. Instead, I just stabbed a metal ice scoop into the bin and refilled the well at Kinney’s station.
    The Malcontents started in on their next song and I heard a swell of hoots and hollers, mostly female voices. God. This was just what I’d envisioned for the bar all along. Local bands playing original music. Not that cover crap The HolyRocks played.
    “Damn,” Kinney said. “Chicks are into those guys.”
    I made a gun with my hand and shot him. “I think we’re on to something. I think maybe The HolyRocks are going to have to start looking for another gig.”
    “Sheeit,” Kinney said. “Maybe you wanna wait to tell them that. Fucking drama those guys. Straight up.”
    “Right. Exactly what I don’t need right now. I’m gonna sit down with their lead singer back there. Word is he manages the band too. What’s his name again?”
    Kinney leaned over to shout in my ear. “Krist, I think. Justin Krist?”
    I nodded. “Thanks. Well, if you get to him before I do, make sure you tell him to come see me tonight before they pack up. But don’t tell him why. I’d like the advantage of surprise before he starts thinking of ways to screw me about money.”
    Kinney laughed and nodded. Again, I had the urge to head back into the kitchen to share the good news with Floyd and Jase. But they were getting the trickle down. Food orders flew out of the kitchen and I knew they were keeping up just fine. Better to stay out here where I was needed the most.
    The Malcontents played three encores and the drinks kept flowing. Kinney worked the bar staff hard but everyone was on fire tonight. So much so that for just a few minutes, I was able to take a step back and make myself a fly on the wall.
    It was happening. Tonight could be a