Free Jaded by Karin Tabke

scorn in his voice was not lost on Jase. He had to hand it to the barkeep. The guy had class and resented the likes of the new flash coming in. Jase took a double take at Mac. Just how much did he resent the new flash?
    Like every other man in the place, this one was dressed in classic casual evening attire, and he strutted around as if he owned the place. Money did that to a lot of people, gave them false impressions of themselves.
    Jase watched the newcomer scan the room. He didn’t need to follow the stranger’s gaze to understand his body language. His body stiffened, like a dog hitting on a bone. Jase watched with interest the color drain from the man’s ruddy complexion, then slowly refill. The guy took a handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed his glistening brow. The room was not warm.
    Jase glanced at Jade, who hadn’t looked up from her conversation with a tall Latino gentleman, and walked toward the newcomer.
    Thomas walked toward them. “Mr. MacDonald, I’d like to introduce Mr. Otis Thibodeaux.”
    Mac extended his hand and smiled. “Welcome to Callahan’s, Mr. Thibodeaux. What’s your pleasure this evening?”
    The man’s muddy eyes darted to Jade. Jase’s followed, and just at that moment Jade looked up. Her eyes clashed with the man’s next to him. He saw an expression cross her face so fast he wasn’t sure he had witnessed it. Sheer terror. Just as quickly she recovered, and a veil of impassive acknowledgment glazed her eyes.
    Jase’s antennae hummed. She knew this guy.
    Jade made polite noises to her gathered admirers and stood. In long seductive strides she crossed the room toward them.
    While she smiled warmly at the newcomer and said, “Welcome to Callahan’s,” Jade did not extend her hand.
    Thomas smiled and began the introduction. “Miss Devereaux, please make the acquaintance of Mr. Otis Thibodeaux. He is a special guest of Mr. Morton’s.”
    She continued to smile, the gesture not lighting her face; instead, her cheeks looked stiff, as if the gesture was forced. “Again, welcome to Callahan’s, Mr. Thibodeaux.”
    Thibodeaux grinned, grabbed her wrists, and yanked her close to him. Jade’s body went so rigid so fast Jase thought she’d snap in half. “Suga, just like down in Lusiana, you can call me ‘Big Daddy,’” he drawled.
    Jase watched the color drain from Jade’s cheeks, but other than that she remained as cool and gracious as a Southern morning. Except when she attempted to withdraw her hands. Thibodeaux’s tightened. Her arms trembled.
    “Mr. Thibodeaux,” she softly suggested, “why don’t you let Mac know what you’d like from the bar, one of the servers will bring it to you, and come join our little gathering in the corner. I’ll be happy to introduce you.”
    Again, she attempted to pull her hands from his but he held them firm. Jase watched closely, more than intrigued. Thibodeaux moved in closer to Jade. “I don’t want to meet anyone else. I want a private party, with you.”
    “I’m sorry, Mr. Thibodeaux—”
    “Call me ‘Daddy.’”
    Jade looked perplexed. “Mr. Thibodeaux, I don’t think I understand your request for a private party.”
    The good ol’ boy moved closer and let go of her hand, but ran his fingertips up Jade’s arm. Her skin flinched, and an imperceptible shudder ran through her. “C’mon now, suga, you know what I mean.”
    Jade stood stock-still, her back rigid, her color even. “I’m sure I don’t.”
    Otis gave Mac and Jase a knowing smirk. “Excuse us, gentlemen.”
    He inclined his head away from them.
    The two moved over to an alcove at the back of the room. Jade pulled a heavy velvet curtain, obscuring them from nosy eyes. Jase followed, determined to hear as much of their conversation as possible. Casually, he pressed up against the wall just outside the drawn curtain.
    “Well, well, well, if the colonel could see you now, Ruby Leigh, he’d come back from the dead,” Thibodeaux mocked.
    “I’m sorry,