I smiled, watching Spenser focus her attention on Sugar. “Well,” I said. “That would make sense. We grew up together.”

“Isn’t Jerry worried about you being in here together? If all three of you get mad, the whole place might blow up.”

“He hasn’t said as much,” I said. I saw Spenser and Kansas giggling. For some reason I didn’t want to do the same with Zeke, so I kept my features smooth, fighting the urge to smile too much or find him too funny.

“Are those the guys who were flirting with you?” Zeke said, nodding to the small group across the dance floor. They were looking over their shoulder at us intermittently, clearly discussing our new band of brothers.

“We handled it.”

“Just asking. Everything all right?”

“Yes, why?” I asked, looking up at him.

“I just…” He lost his train of thought, and I knew why. We were just inches away. I could feel his gentle breath on my face. There was still a hint of the smell of smoke on his clothes, but I liked it; it reminded me a little bit of the oil fields on fire in Iraq.

“You just what?” I asked.

“Looky here!” the man from before said, grabbing Zeke’s shoulder. “I owe you an apology. I sort of hit on your girl earlier. I’m Keith.” He pointed to his group across the bar. “Those are my buddies.”

I had to give Keith credit for approaching such a large group alone, especially when he knew at least one of us had a weapon.

“Yep.” Zeke stared at me, taking a swig.

I’d never liked the idea of belonging to anyone, of being anyone’s girl. Matt and I were partners. But I liked that Zeke didn’t deny it.

Spenser and Kansas were subtly keeping an eye on Keith, and Spenser tapped on the table with her index finger, signaling us that possible trouble was heading over in the form of the rest of Keith’s group.

“Come on, let’s order another round,” one of Keith’s friends said, tugging on his hoodie. The rest of their group seemed friendly enough, greeting the hotshots.

Jerry brought another round to our table.

“Naomi,” Watts called, sliding a beer down to me.

“Naomi,” Keith repeated.

“Don’t do it,” I warned.

He looked at Zeke and patted him on the back hard enough to move Zeke forward several inches. “You know her name backward is I MOAN? Tell us, is that true?”

I closed my eyes. “Shit.”

Zeke attacked him, taking him to the ground. The two groups reacted, trying to separate the two.

“Say something else,” Zeke said, fighting off his colleagues to get to Keith.

“I didn’t mean anything by it!” Keith yelled, wiping blood from his nose and lip.