A Sea of Smoke: A Dark Romance (A War of Hearts Book 2)

by Karen Lynn

  “God damn it, Logan, get her a live-in nurse, a nanny, a fucking playmate. I don't give a shit! You can't be her crutch!”

  Logan began to sweat. Mopping his brow with the back of his hand, he squirmed around in his seat. “I don't have to sit here and take this shit.”

  Nick raised his eyebrows. “Look, Logan, I'll try to keep you local for a while, okay? I didn't know you cared so much. When the hell did this happen?”

  Nick had his hand on Logan’s knee now. Logan's eyes fell on it and darkened. Nick’s occasional display of affection was bad enough, but he couldn’t stomach it when it turned domineering. Aware he needed a quick fix before he did something he regretted, he drained his glass, allowing the numbing effect of the alcohol to pacify him.

  “It'll be different after the baby is born.”

  Nick didn’t blink an eye. “Good news is she managed to redeem herself after that first fiasco. Jonny was impressed, and they're all for us.” After slapping Logan’s leg a few times, he removed his hand. “He was a little concerned though about you going back to the club. What's that about a boyfriend or something and you? Fill me in, I'm in the dark here.”

  Logan snapped up right. “There's nothing to talk about! That shit is history!” His pulse rate accelerated. He smashed the empty glass on the table and jumped to order another.

  “Maybe you should slow down. What did I tell you about being bombed all the time? And you're gonna have to keep Kristen under control. We can't have her mouthing off all the time!” Nick anxiously peered around, trying to determine if they'd attracted too much attention.

  Logan shook his head in disgust.

  If that’s what he thinks Kristen mouthing off is like, he’s insane.

  The longer they glared at each other, the closer he was to setting him straight. Then the money clicked in his head. “Any other demands?”

  Nick laughed at Logan’s escalating agitation. “Take it easy. Enjoy. Let's drink to the daddy to be!” He lifted his drink for a toast.

  Logan sat frozen, lost in thought. Daddy is a strong word I may not be able to deal with.

  Noticing his changing attitude, Nick probed, “So what's up with Gina? Think we can have another threesome?”

  Logan's eyes opened wide. It hadn't crossed his mind for quite some time. Glancing up at Nick, his face brightened. “I'll see what I can do once this is over.”

  Nick chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. “Where'd my Logan go?”

  “Taking a short vacation.” Logan tipped back in his chair, smiling.

  KRISTEN/LOGAN

  It was 9:00 p.m. when Kristen heard the door opening. She quickly flicked the lamp off and hid under the quilt, pretending to be asleep. Logan stumbled into the room, the stench of liquor following him to the bed.

  “Krissy? You awake?” Anxious for a response, he bent over to pull the blanket off of her face. “Come on!” He nudged her. She didn't budge, the only sound in the room her soft, even breaths. Refusing to let up, he put the light on.

  “Logan, what are you doing?” She winced, covering her eyes.

  “I knew you were awake!” He smiled, straddling her.

  “I am now. Don’t tell me you were drinking again!” Giving him a dirty look, she turned her face away. He pulled it back.

  “Just with Nick! I swear!”

  Before averting his gaze, she couldn’t help noticing the drunken grin plastered across his face. Groaning, she retreated back under the blanket.

  “I'm sorry it's so late. He was talking about a lot of shit.” Logan shut the light. After ripping off his clothes, he tossed them across the room, jerked the blanket back and crawled under. Snuggling up to her, he laid his head on her chest.

  “Okay, what's wrong? What did he tell you?”

  At first he didn't want to talk about it, then decided to open up. “He said we're gonna be doing more business with those assholes from NYC. He wants to send me to back to that club—”

  Kristin sprang up. “—What the hell! You can't do that, Logan!” Staring down at him, her face reddened.

  His eyes flipped open to return her stare.

  “I don't want to. What am I supposed to do?”

  “Tell him no! Plain and simple. Quit, I don't care!”

  “I can't quit! Are you kidding me? There's too much money at stake. I told him I can't leave you until the baby is born.”

  “That's great, Logan! Leave me alone with him afterwards then.” She began to sulk. As the conversation with Jake and Logan’s suspicion entered her head, she tautened, brushing it aside to avoid bringing it up. The risk of endangering Jake was much too high.

  “I'll do whatever I can not to travel, Krissy—I don't want to.”

  “You can't go back to that club!”

  “Why—him? You really think he scares me?” The harshness in his voice intensified as he strained to get up.

  “It's just that... after what happened with Ray…”

  “What about it? No one knows—only you, right?” He hunched over her clutching her arm and brought his face to hers.

  What does she know? He fought through the drunken haze to go back in time to recall exactly how much he’d told her. It didn’t work.

  “As far as I know...” She tried to keep her breathing under control.

  “What does that mean, yes or no? Did he say something to you?” He gripped the other arm, his fingers digging into both of them.

  “No! But Marty was asking, and so was he—about if we saw him. I told you that already. It's Jonny you should be worried about—he was acting really weird. Logan, stop it!”

  By the time he released her, the tears were dripping down her face. She knew she had to do something fast.

  “It's smarter to stay away, it'll probably freak you out anyway, won't it?”

  Logan became frantic, shoving his hair back out of his eyes. “Krissy, you are freaking me out! I'll bring you with me then…”

  “And what about the baby? You think he's something we can just dump on someone and go running around all over?”

  “Why not? No one gave a shit about me…” His voice trailed off leaving bitterness and hatred in its place.

  Kristen hesitated, regretful she had brought up his painful past. “That's why we have to do it right this time, Logan. I want my son's life to be filled with love. I want ours to be also.” She looked sadly into his eyes, remembering the heartache they were dealing with when they met and how it drew them together in a powerful way.

  He pulled her down, kissing her. When they broke free, she could see tears in his eyes. He crammed them shut.

  Biting her lower lip, she didn’t blink. “Don't you want that too?”

  He lay in silence, his eyes remaining closed. It unnerved her to think he could be reverting to his old ways. What would she do if he clammed up again, if he slipped farther and farther away from her, drowning himself in drugs and booze? It was hard enough the first time.

  “I'm too tired, Krissy. Let's talk in the morning,” he muttered, sinking away from her.

  Burying her face in the pillow, she wept. Any lingering tranquility from the chance encounter with Alicia had already dissipated. Desperate to revitalize it, she rolled onto her side to massage her stomach. The baby was extremely restless. Perhaps it was true, babies really sensed their mother’s distress. Her mind raced, leaping forward in time.

  What will happen if it isn’t his? The thought sent debilitating chills through her. The more she longed for a release, the more elusive it became. When she couldn’t stay still any longer, she crawled out of bed. Careful not to make any noise, she slid the balcony door open and slipped out into the balmy night. The magnificent ocean view that helped provide relief, was obliterated by darkness. The occasional pounding of waves broke the silence of the night.

  Her unexpected loud sigh echoed in the air. Startled by the sound, she jerked around to ensure she was still alone. Suddenly chilled, she grabbed a blanket from the patio table, sank to the lounge chair and
curled up. The soothing salt air caressed her skin, luring her eyes closed.

  As she weakened, the wicked memories began an invasion. All the insane things she'd done in the early years of her passion-drenched relationship with Logan stormed her head, despite how much she rebelled against them. Her body ached recalling their first sexual encounter. They were so young, so naïve. She shivered remembering his surprise when she revealed he was her first lover. Everything was perfect—until the unwanted pregnancy.

  How history repeats itself.

  It had turned very, very cold. She couldn’t stop her teeth from chattering and the lounge chair became unbearable. Discarding the blanket, she returned to the bedroom.

  For a few seconds she gazed down at Logan, listening to his erratic breathing. What a devil in disguise, the picture of innocence and tranquility. Holding her breath, she crawled onto the bed, easing back against him. He stirred, throwing an arm over her body.

  What happened Logan? Why did you have to change? Why did everything have to fall apart?

  Secure in his arms, her unborn child at rest inside her, a strange calmness set her free. All she could do was hope it would last until she abandoned herself to a deep sleep.

  JAKE

  Seeing Jenny again brought back all the memories he had been desperate to extinguish. It was a nightmare having her back behind the bar, right between him and Ben. Every time he accidentally looked at her face he relived the night of his brawl with Ray, and the ensuing trouble she'd caused with Kristen. But there she was, flittering around like a wild butterfly, purposely pushing in front of him every time he went to the cash register or to mix a drink. What a coincidence that her chest kept brushing against his shoulder, her boobs bouncing in his face every time she bent over in her low cut, skin-tight top. While Ben was thoroughly entertained, Jake was livid. As far as he was concerned, the night couldn’t end fast enough.

  Then he saw Marty gingerly walking towards him. He wasn't sure if she knew Jenny or remembered that she'd been with Ray. For a moment, he considered quitting. After pulling himself together, he approached the bar to deal with Marty.

  “Hey, I didn't expect to see you here.” He hesitated before leaning over to kiss her cheek.

  “I was bored.” She shrugged.

  He handed her a beer, grinning.

  “Can't have that.” Through the corner of his eye he witnessed Jenny swooping down on Ben, hanging on.

  What a travesty. Another good man taken down by his dick.

  “New bartender?” Marty’s words snapped Jake back to the moment.

  “Yeah, unfortunately and she's a royal pain in the ass.”

  Marty laughed, apparently invigorated. Her eyes never left his face and unexpectedly he found himself intrigued. The music, the electrifying atmosphere, his loneliness, it was all crashing in on him. And he dreaded being crushed to death.

  “Who'd you come with?” His face was too close to avoid the hypnotic affect her perfume had on him.

  “No one.” Her eyes were inviting, and this time he was trapped.

  “I'll be off at four if you wanna wait for me.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Jake, this is your chance to bow out, to run, hide, avoid another disappointment. He could feel his skin tingling.

  “Yeah. I'm sure,” he whispered.

  * * *

  Jake tried to ignore Jenny, but she kept coming back at him with a vengeance. When she couldn't get a rise out of him, she aimed her sights on Ben, continually playing them both all night long. He could see she was getting a kick out of it all, especially the anger she provoked in him, which he had a hard time concealing. Her failure to pay attention to the customers, provoked a flurry of complaints. All the while she continued strutting her stuff, hitting them with that innocent doe-eyed charm. Since most of the customers swarming to her were men anyway, it worked out well for her.

  Most of the time Jake minded his own business, faking a good mood and working fast and efficiently. This particular night, the good rapport he enjoyed with everyone else but Jenny seemed to really irk her. To get even she repeatedly bumped into him, causing drinks to spill onto the floor or all over his shirt. A couple of bouts were so bad, he had to remix all over again, causing many of the new customers to whine and bitch. Like usual, no one had a clue that Jenny was the instigator.

  As the night progressed, Jenny snuck away from the bar more frequently, causing a big backlog of customers. Oblivious to the crowd, after each departure she returned with bloodshot eyes and a runny nose. Jonny remained on the prowl all night, especially before and after she left the bar.

  “This is such bullshit,” Jake found himself grumbling to Ben. It was really beginning to get on his nerves. He usually didn't make an issue about anyone else's poor work habits. This time though, it affected him.

  Ben shrugged, annoyed but obviously overlooking it. Now that Jenny had him in the palm of her hand, Jake feared a repeat performance of what she did to Ray.

  “What's the matter, Jakey?” Jenny sauntered over to him, rubbing her body along his back. “You seem unhappy. What’s the matter? You miss your little redhead?”

  Jake stiffened, determined not to let her get under his skin. His face hardened when he glared silently down at her. But his pent up anger just served to motivate her more. A despicable smile spread across her face as she gyrated to the music, amusing a small crowd of male customers that had taken up residence at her station.

  “Why don't you save your mouth for Jonny's dick?” Jake mumbled in her ear as he walked past her, his eyes narrowed with pleasure.

  He didn't look back, but could sense her shock. With a tiny grin forming on his face, he decided to take a break. As he moved past her to exit the bar, she lunged at him, clasped an arm and lifted up on her toes to be as close to his face as possible.

  “Don't take it out on me ’cause she got knocked up, Jakey. Maybe you should be more careful next time.”

  Jake whirled around to face her, grabbing her shoulders.

  “What the fuck did you say?”

  The lust for revenge rising in Jenny was apparent, infuriating him even more. At a serious breaking point, he couldn’t let go.

  “Your bitch is about to pop out a baby! Oh, I'm so sorry, I thought you knew! Oops…” Her voice held that dangerous combination of venom and sugar.

  Freezing in place, Jake’s jaw fell open. In slow motion he released Jenny and reversed to the wall. Satisfied, she bounced back to her station, humming a sweet tune.

  He stood there, blind to everything around him until a wave of dizziness ascended over him, forcing him into awareness again. Without a word, he took a deep breath and stormed out of the club. Ignoring the oppressive humidity, he elbowed his way through the crowd blocking the exit and began his aimless trek down the block.

  * * *

  In a fog, Jake had no clue how far he’d walked until his eyes landed on a street sign. Taking a deep breath, he leaned against a building to scan the long stretch back to the club before checking his phone. Time to get back inside and deal with reality. Marty expected to meet him at the end of the night and the cash always came in handy. As much as he hated to admit it, the gallery sales weren’t enough to live on. If he stayed out any longer he’d come up short. Added to the startling news he now had to live with, it would only serve to increase his suffering.

  Maybe Ben has some weed, or better yet some coke. Then I can look at Jenny without the urge to break her in half. Jail is not an option.

  Midnight. Only May and the humidity was already torturous. Holding his damp hair off of his soaked neck, he returned to the club. A blast of AC should've done the trick, but it didn't even tickle him. Numb to the world, he approached Ben to see if he could help him out with something.

  Jake’s break had ended twenty minutes earlier. It didn't matter, he entered the men's room to do the blow Ben eagerly supplied. He needed to get through the rest of the night.

  Jenny must've gotten her fair share of s
atisfaction from the devastating affect her revelation had on him, because she kept her distance. Occasionally he caught a glimpse of her checking him out, but other than that, there was no contact.

  Being high would help him survive, at least until closing time. Ben didn't question him about what Jenny had done to flare him up like that. Possibly it was due to his own survival instinct. Jake knew his temper issues and the fight with Ray were infamous in the club. Still, the way Ben continued reacting to Jenny made him believe he didn't know her history. Or perhaps he was just plain stupid.

  It was almost closing, and his buzz was wearing off. When Ben finally brought it up, he decided to be straight with him.

  “You know she's doing Jonny now, don't you?” He kept it low.

  “Whatever, who cares?” Ben's smile was forced.

  The heat was rising again, Jake’s face on fire. “You should, man. He's not as cool as he acts.”

  Why couldn't this kid get it? Was I as stupid as him at that age?

  After Ray, I wouldn't put anything past Jonny and his crew.

  “She's bad news.”

  “Thanks. But I can take care of myself,” Ben snapped back, a torrid glare in his eyes.

  The bad attitude came as a big surprise to Jake.

  Let him find out the hard way then, I have my own problems to deal with.

  Totally disgusted, he looked away, suppressing a grimace. Marty stood waiting for him. He hadn't dwelled on what Jenny told him since he'd gotten high. As it tapered off, her words were loud and clear, invading his subconscious once again.

  When they left the club, Jake couldn’t deny the mental and physical exhaustion setting in. Marty kept trying to break the ice. “Where'd you want to go?” she asked as they walked to his car.

  Suddenly, he had no idea. All he could think of was whether or not Jenny’s biting words were true.

  “Hey, what do you know about Kristen?” His face taut and serious, he took her hands in his, studying her. It was something that had to be dealt with or he couldn't move on. He needed to confirm that if nothing else, Marty was honest. Any more lies would send him over the edge faster than anyone could image.