Blood on Bourbon

5. Strangers In The Night

Blood on Bourbon

Chapter 5: Strangers In The Night

Narrator

Erin pushed open the heavy wooden door of Calum’s bar, the faint jingle of a bell overhead announcing her arrival. The place smelled of aged oak and spilled whiskey, a dimly lit haven with a handful of patrons nursing drinks at scarred tables. She assumed the place would be packed on Saturday night. With all the tourists in town, maybe they prefer more nightclub vibes at this hour. Her eyes scanned the room until they landed on Calum behind the bar, polishing a glass with a rag, and Duncan leaning against a stool nearby, his broad shoulders hunched over a pint of dark ale. Both men looked up as she approached, their expressions shifting—Calum’s to a warm, crooked grin, Duncan’s to something more guarded, almost wary.

“Erin,” Calum said, setting the glass down. “Didn’t expect to see you back so soon. What’s on your mind, lass? Martini?”

She didn’t waste time with pleasantries. “Mia’s still missing. I need to know if you saw anything last night.”

Duncan straightened, his dark eyes narrowing slightly. “Mia left hours before closing. Didn’t think much of it.”

Erin crossed her arms, her pulse quickening. “I need more than that. She’s my friend, and she’s not answering her phone.”

Calum glanced at Duncan, then gestured toward a door behind the bar. “Let’s check the tapes, then. Got a camera out back—might’ve caught something.”

As they moved to a cramped office cluttered with boxes and a flickering monitor, Duncan lingered close to Erin, his voice low. “Where’s your family from, Erin? You’ve got a look about you—something old, maybe. Irish? Welsh?”

She frowned, caught off guard by the question. “Uh, my mom’s side is Irish, I think. Dad’s a mix—English, maybe some Scottish way back. Why?”

Duncan shrugged, but his gaze lingered, sharp and searching. “Just curious. Calum and me, we’re Scots through and through. Highlands, originally. Long way from home.”

“Originally?” Erin pressed, sensing the dodge. “How long have you been here?”

“Long enough,” he said curtly, turning his attention to the screen as Calum queued up the footage.

The grainy black-and-white video flickered to life, showing the bar's back alley. Erin’s breath caught as Mia appeared, her familiar silhouette swaying slightly—too many drinks, probably. Her sparkling veil still covered the crown of her head. Then, a figure emerged from the shadows: a tall, pale man with white-blonde hair that gleamed under the streetlight. He slid an arm around Mia’s waist, guiding her out of frame with an ease that made Erin’s stomach twist.

“Who is that?” she demanded, pointing at the screen.

Calum froze the image, his jaw tightening. Duncan’s hand clenched into a fist on the desk. For a moment, neither spoke, but the air between them thickened with unspoken recognition.

“You know him,” Erin said, her voice rising. “Don’t lie to me. Who is he?”

Calum rubbed the back of his neck, avoiding her eyes. “Look, Erin, it’s not that simple. I’m sorry. We thought she had run off on her own free will—”

“She isn’t like that! Take me to him,” she cut in, stepping closer. “If he’s got Mia, I need to find him. Now.”

Duncan snorted, crossing his arms. “Not a chance. You don’t know what you’re asking. That man—he’s dangerous.”

“I don’t care,” Erin snapped, her fear for Mia fueling her resolve. “She’s my friend. You’re taking me, or I’ll find him myself.”

Calum sighed, dragging a hand through his dark hair. “You’re a stubborn one, aren’t you? Fine. We’ll take you. But you stay close, and you listen to us. No heroics.”

Erin nodded, her heart pounding—not just from the stakes but from the way Calum’s eyes softened as he looked at her, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “You’re somethin’ else, Erin. Beautiful, too.”

Heat crept up her neck, and she caught the flicker of annoyance in Duncan’s expression as he turned away, muttering something under his breath. The tension between the two men was palpable, a silent rivalry she couldn’t quite place. Calum’s flirtation was bold, disarming; Duncan’s quiet intensity pulled at her differently, like a storm brewing just beneath the surface.

As they grabbed their coats and headed for the door, Calum fell into step beside her, his shoulder brushing hers in the narrow hallway. “You sure you’re ready for this, lass?” he asked, his voice dropping low, a teasing lilt curling the edges. “Not just the danger, mind you—but keepin’ up with the likes of us.”

Erin arched a brow, meeting his gaze. “I can handle myself, Calum. Question is, can you keep up with me?”

He chuckled, a deep, warm sound that sent a shiver down her spine. “Oh, I’d wager I could. You’ve got fire in you—I like that. Makes a man wonder what else you’re hiding under that tough exterior.”

“Keep wondering,” she shot back, a smirk tugging at her lips. “I don’t give it all away on the first night.”

Calum grinned wider, leaning in just enough that she caught the faint scent of whiskey and cedar on him. “Good thing I’m patient, then. Got a feeling you’re worth the wait,” he said with a playful wink.

Behind them, Duncan cleared his throat sharply. “If you two are done actin’ like lovesick pups, we’ve got a job to do,” he grumbled, though his eyes lingered on Erin a beat too long, dark and unreadable. “Or do I need to drag you both out of here myself?”

Erin turned to him, undeterred by his tone. “Jealous, Duncan? Didn’t think you’d care much.”

His jaw tightened, and for a moment, she thought he’d snap back. Instead, he stepped closer, towering over her just enough to make her pulse jump. “I don’t play games, Erin,” he said, his voice rough, almost a growl. "But if I did, you’d know it. And I wouldn’t be half as soft about it as he is.”

Calum laughed, clapping Duncan on the shoulder. “Soft, am I? Tell you what, mate—let’s see who she’s still smilin’ at by the end of this mess. My money’s on me.”

Erin rolled her eyes, though her cheeks burned at the attention. “You’re both ridiculous. I’m not here for a competition—I’m here for Mia. But if you’re so keen to impress me, how about you start by helping me find my friend, alive!”

Duncan’s lips twitched, the barest hint of a smirk breaking through his stoic mask. “Fair enough. But don’t think I didn’t notice you dodgin’ my question earlier. You’re a mystery, Erin—and I’m not one to let a puzzle go unsolved.”

“Nor am I,” Calum added, winking as he held the door open for her. “Guess we’ll just have to keep you close ’til we figure you out.”

Erin stepped past him into the cool night air, her heart racing from more than just the mission ahead. These two Scots, with their barbed banter and heated glances, were trouble in more ways than one—and she wasn’t entirely sure she minded.