Having two sisters who drove him crazy, it was nice having Shane to level the insanity out. His sisters were great, but they could be too much to handle at times. Shane knew Rafe more than any other human being. He was there when Rafe had gone through the divorce, then by his side as he’d done what he needed to in order to pick the pieces back up.
“I can already tell by the expression on your face that you’re thrilled to be here.”
Rafe turned around and shot an irritated glance in Shane’s direction. Why he put up with the man, he’d never know. Really, the friendship should’ve never survived all the crap Shane was known for pulling. If Rafe didn’t know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Shane was a good guy, he’d cut ties and call it good.
“Let’s get this over with. I have plans this weekend.”
“Loosen up, brother. You have to stop and smell the roses once in a while. We’re two single guys out on the prowl and they only allow the hottest women in here. Let’s have some fun first, then discuss business later.”
Rafe sighed as a skimpily dressed hostess led them to a private table, bending down to show her ample cle**age as she asked them what they wanted to drink. Rafe normally would’ve enjoyed the view, but he still couldn’t seem to get Ari from his mind.
Never could he remember being so taken by one woman. It was the reason he should cut his losses and forget all about her. She’d said no – that should be the end of it – except, Rafe didn’t take rejection too well. Not that he could remember the last time he’d actually been rejected.
“We’ll take a couple shots of bourbon to start,” Shane said as his hand reached out and copped a feel on her round ass.
“Sounds good, baby. I’ll be right back,” the woman practically purred.
“Damn, I may not need to look any further. She’s hot enough to fry all my circuits,” Shane said with a low, drawn out whistle as he watched her walk away, her h*ps swinging hypnotically.
“I don’t know how you screw so many women, then leave them in the dust and have them still thinking you’re their freaking prince charming,” Rafe grumbled.
“It’s all in the attitude, man. I just make them think it’s their idea for us to only have one night together. Then, when I run away a free man, they just think it was an exceptional night of sex, and we’re good friends.”
Rafe snorted as he looked around the club. It was quite crowded for seven o'clock on a Friday night. He’d hoped to have a little peace for a couple more hours. As his bored gaze started returning to his friend, his eyes caught on a woman being led to the dance floor.
“No,” he uttered in disbelief.
“What?” Shane asked as he followed Rafe’s gaze and saw a small brunette being led out onto the dance floor. “Do you know her?”
The two men watched as the man held onto the woman, her body flopping against him as he felt her up. Rafe’s eyes narrowed further when it was obvious she was barely conscious.
“Son of a bitch!”
Rafe stood up so suddenly that his chair bolted out from behind him, hitting the people walking by. The man grumbled something, but they just continued walking. It was smart of the man, because Rafe was seeing red as he watched the man start to drag Ari away from the dance floor.
“What’s going on?” Shane asked as he placed his hand on Rafe’s shoulder, which nearly got him knocked out.
“She’s obviously drunk, passing out as they move and the bastard is taking advantage of her!”
With Shane right behind him, Rafe quickly made his way across the club and followed Ari and the stranger, coming up to them just in time to hear the man speaking to his pals.
“Hey, Chandler. Looks like you got another one.”
“Damn! She’s smokin’.”
“Yeah, if you liked the drugged out look.”
The four men started laughing as Chandler sent them a knowing glance, then headed for the back door. Rafe was right behind him. He followed them to the parking lot and saw as the Chandler guy began leading Ari to some run-down house behind the club.
Over his dead body.
“I dialed the police. I don’t think this is the first time this creep has tried something like this.” Rafe turned to see Shane right next to him as they approached Chandler and Ari.
“What in the hell do you think you’re doing?” Rafe thundered as he grabbed the guy’s arm.
“None of your damn business,” the man snapped as he tried to pick up his pace.
“From what I overheard your friends saying, it sounds to me like you drugged this woman and now plan on taking her to your drug house to rape her.”
“Who in the hell are you? You don’t know what you’re talking about. This is my girlfriend. She just had too much to drink tonight and I’m taking her home to sleep it off.”
“Listen, jackass, if I were you, I’d hightail it inside without the girl and hide because my friend is about to kick your ass all over this parking lot. I’m mighty inclined to give him a helping hand,” Shane said with a smile of anticipation.
The guy’s eyes were darting around as if afraid of getting caught. Rafe could see he was trying to decide whether to fight for his victim, or drop her and run like hell. Fear won out when he saw the fury in Rafe’s eyes, and the determination in Shane’s. He suddenly pushed Ari toward the two of them, then took off running to the shack.
Rafe caught Ari just before she hit the hard pavement, thinking for one moment of setting her down and going after the punk. When she groaned in his arms, he knew he wasn’t leaving her.
“I’ll keep an eye on the place, make sure he doesn’t run for it. You take care of her. Just give me a call later and let me know if she’s okay,” Shane said before he walked to the rickety steps of the house and leaned against the rail, intently watching the door.
“Ari? Ari, are you okay?” Rafe asked as he scooped her up into his arms and slightly shook her. Slowly, her eyes came open, and it was obvious her vision was blurred as she squinted up at him. It took several moments for her to focus on his face.
“Rafe? When did you get here?”
Her hand came up and patted his cheek, her fingernails trailing down the side of his face before she smiled at him.
“Mmm, you smell good,” she slurred.
“What are you doing here?” he demanded. Her brows puckered as if she didn’t have any idea and it was a very difficult question for her to answer.