The Keepers: Ethan. Rae Rivers

Jenna possessed a natural fighting skill that topped his. In battle mode, the woman was damn near faultless.

      Ethan caught Archer’s gaze, not missing the flash of satisfaction in his brother’s narrowed one.

      Delivering a final, vicious kick that connected with Declan’s nose, Jenna backed off. Declan cursed as blood splattered and he glowered at his opponent. They were both breathless, bloody, bruised. A fierce silence followed and Jenna circled the warrior, fists up, ready for his retaliation.

      Which never came.

      Instead, Declan lowered his fists and spat out blood. Breathing heavily, his gazed locked with Jenna’s. “It’s not quite the display of magic I’d hoped for, but …”

      “You’d be a fool to underestimate me again, Declan.” A smirk softened her anger. “Kicking your butt just proved that.”

      Declan swiped at his mouth with the back of his hand, his lips twitching.

      Ethan’s grin widened. She’d impressed Declan and he wasn’t easily impressed – or surprised. In a matter of moments, she’d accomplished both.

      Damn right.

      Jenna lowered her stick. “You have a right to be worried, Declan. We’re all worried. But you’re forgetting one thing. You’ve met Hazel twice. Twice. I lived with her and her merry band of evil for two years. I know what we’re facing more than you will ever know, so choosing not to be on team me is … stupid.”

      With a final glare, she turned around and left.

       CHAPTER SEVEN

      The opening of the restaurant coincided with the school’s annual parade, one of the town’s many traditions. Each summer, the high school seniors hosted the parade, an event that had grown so popular over the years that it attracted tourists from all over.

      The main road hummed with activity, the restaurants crammed with visitors. The aroma of fried donuts filtered through the air, sweet and enticing. Children ran between the crowds of people that walked the streets, lined with vendors selling homemade crafts or fresh produce. Others lay sprawled on picnic blankets in the central garden. Their laughter and voices mingled with the music played by the band.

      The celebrations for Ethan’s restaurant opening were in full swing. A joyous occasion that did little to shred Jenna’s uneasiness.

      Darkness was near. She could feel it.

      They all could, but in a world where their kind lived in secret and social obligations like restaurant openings and festivals couldn’t be avoided, events that surrounded them with friends determined to celebrate, they had no choice but to mask the worry and pretend that Rapid Falls was the perky, safe little town everyone thought it was.

      What a load of crock.

      Jenna scanned the street again before going into the restaurant. She slid into an empty seat at the end of the bar and eyed the bottles of alcohol against the wall, longing for the oblivion the clear liquid promised. But no. She hadn’t eaten much and needed a clear head.

      They’d packed the restaurant to capacity, a steady flow of people coming and going. The aromas of garlic and herbs spiced the air, a contrast to the sweet scent on the street.

      The restaurant had been refurbished with a contemporary feel, but the wooden floors, brick walls, and lighting gave it a warm edge.

       Sarah’s.

      An apt name for the restaurant and a brilliant way to honour an amazing woman.

      A loud rumble of thunder reverberated above them, followed by Ethan’s laugh, which drifted across the room. Two women were draped around him at the far end of the bar. One distributed shots of Tequila.

      Mr. Popular himself. Always the first of the brothers the women flocked to – even more so now that Archer and Declan were no longer single. Beneath his easy-going personality were layers of a mysterious, quiet confidence the women adored.

      Jenna wondered how many of them actually made it back to his bed. She knew he avoided a relationship the same way he avoided asparagus. Didn’t like it, wouldn’t try it. His encounters were brief and fun.

      Hell, the thought of Ethan doing a naked monkey dance with any of these women added a spark of annoyance straight to her gut.

      And she refused to decode why. Nope.

      He’d shaved, the subtle scent of his aftershave knocking at her senses every time he came close. He wore a white shirt and blue jeans, the sleeves rolled up to the elbows. Black leather bracelets covered each wrist, along with his Keeper ring on his finger. Despite everything, he looked relaxed. Happy.

      She envied the way he was able to flip the switch that instantly turned off the worry in front of others. A perfect mask. If she hadn’t known better, known him …

      Almost as though he sensed her quiet scrutiny, he turned, his gaze connecting with hers across the room.

      Jenna’s stomach flipped in response and she began toying with the box of matches on the counter. It had the name Sarah’s scrawled on one side.

      Ethan downed another shot, disentangled himself from the women – despite their protests – and joined her at the opposite end of the bar.

      Pocketing the matches, she lifted a brow. “Needing a break from their flattery?”

      “Trust me, flattery was too mild a word for what that was.” He slid into the vacant seat beside her, giving an exaggerated shudder that made her laugh.

      “Too much for you to handle?”

      “No. I can handle them. But I don’t want to. Besides, they’re both married.”

      “They are?”

      “I have no idea where their husbands are tonight, but I got a taste of what it feels like to be a burger and beer at a health clinic.”

      She laughed and nodded in the direction of the kitchen. “How’s it going in there?”

      “There were a few hiccups and I’m in need of a new pastry chef, but overall the opening’s been a hit.” He scanned the full restaurant. “Sarah would be proud.”

      “We should drink to her.”

      He leaned forward, a teasing grin easing his expression. “And I believe I owe you a beer.”

      She smiled. “Shirtless?”

      “I’ve never backed down from a bet,” he said, fiddling with the top button of his shirt.

      Something niggled inside, a mild objection at the thought of his beautiful body on display to everyone here. “Really?”

      “It’s my restaurant. My party.”

      “And it’s my win, right?”

      “Which is why I’m about to lose my shirt in a full restaurant.”

      Niggle, niggle.

      “No,” she said softly, covering his hand with hers, surprising herself.

      Electric-blue eyes found hers. A small grin hitched the corner of his lips, triggering a familiar stirring in her belly. “You’re backing out?”

      “It’s my win, so I say keep the shirt. The women here don’t need the distraction.”

      Leaning closer, he brushed his lips against her ear. “They don’t or you don’t?” When she inhaled sharply and pushed him away, he chuckled and walked around the bar. “I still owe you that beer.”

      “If I’m letting you off the hook, stud muffin, you owe me several.”

      “You’re relinquishing your win?”

      “Only