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Chapter 1

The bar gave new definition to the word “dive”

Ashton “Snow” Frost sprawled in the ly painful chair he’d ever sat in and tried not to look too closely at his surroundings Either the decorator had been into early seventies drug den or the place had been tucked into this corner of Covington, Kentucky since before he’d been born Soruh nu, battered bar and around the pool tables surprised hie his original plan to get laid tonight—the croas too young for his tastes

The evening wasn’t an entire bust, though He watched his friends across the roorabbed one of the pool tables, and froruntled expression on Andrei Hadeon’s face as he pressed the cue stick against his forehead, Melissa Ward was kicking his ass

Lucas Vallois and Ian Pierce sat on barstools on either side of a raised pub table, both laughing Probably because they all kneife was a shark and it seemed nobody bothered to warn the Rorin Lucas and Ian didn’t blend though they were similarly dressed to everyone else in jeans and boots Ian, despite his short stature, looked like he’d stepped off a runway in his untucked blue shirt and sharp, brown blazer And Snow couldn’t believe Lucas wasn’t even cracking a hint of sweat in his cash place

Apparently the owner didn’th, forcing the staff to keep the front and back doors open to let a little cool air in Snow shifted in his seat and glared at Rowan Ward, who sat next to hie table he’d reserved near the back of the bar “You knohat, Ward?”

Rowe turned green eyes his way and frowned as he pulled at the neckline of his black sweatshirt Perspiration darkened the red hair around his te it curl “What?”

“I figured out what’s wrong with this bar I’m neither blind nor deaf ”

Rowe s down his temple with a paper napkin “It’s popular with soht we’d try it out Come on now, doc The place has ambiance—even you have to admit that”

Snow shot hi”

“I always liked wood paneling My granddad had this old hunting cabin in Colorado with paneling in every rooives a place a ho of beer and took a huge s, then tilted his glass toward Snow “And the brew’s cheap”

“That’s because it’s shit beer” Snow turned back to catch Andrei leaning over a pool table and chuckled when he saw Lucas watching as well, focus firuard’s ass It was a really nice ass, so he didn’t blame him

Rowe had followed Snow’s gaze and shook his head “It’s wild, isn’t it? Turned ay That’s some superpower Vallois has”

“Doubt he was ever co his elbow over the back of the chair “I walked in on theht a bit of the action There was nothing holding the Ro hot” Snoaved one hand at Andrei as he straightened from his shot “Look at him I would have worked to turn the man fully to my side as well” Lucas didn’t aduard, but it was obvious that’s as happening

Rowe nudged him “You saw them?”

Snow heard so in his friend’s tone that made him look closer Genuine curiosityin his expression Snow had caught before a couple of ti Mel Like he was interested, but not sure he was entirely co you’d like to see yourself?” he asked, narrowing his eyes to study his friend

Rowe’s eyes flitted away before he casually shrugged “I love my wife You know that But I’eous—so it had to be so to see” He leaned closer so he could lower his voice “Did you see who’s the top?”

Snow had been taking a drink of his beer and he sucked it in so fast, he choked He never expected to hear those words cross Rowe’s lips As foul as he could be, Rowe had never de them Of course, over the years, Snow and Lucas had been pretty daraphic in their sexual comments, happy to volunteer details Rowe never had to ask