Of Water and Madness Read Online Free PDF

father propositioned Blythe for a dance.
    “There’s real booze inside. Whaddya say, boys?” Liam asked quietly, keeping his voice down so the women wouldn’t hear.
    “Praise God, get me outta here, son.” Jax grunted, rising to his feet instantly. “I can’t take any more of these females.”
    “Yes, but where would we be without them.” Rian shrugged, standing up as well. Capri looked up as she saw him leaving, concern in her eyes.
    “Is everything okay?” she asked.
    “I think we’re boring the boys.” Blythe grinned, standing beside Lucian and eyeing Jax with one eyebrow raised. “You gonna go get drunk somewhere, cowboy?”
    “Maybe.” He grinned in return, the thin scar that ran down the left side of his face shifting from the movement as his hands tucked comfortably into the pockets of his jeans.
    “Bring me some whiskey, will you?” Blythe asked as she waved them off and turned back to Lucian, who led her onto the dance floor.
    Clynn approached and handed Capri a fresh flute of champagne before sitting beside her. She smiled at him before glancing up at Rian.
    “Have fun.” She blew him a playful kiss and then laughed at herself. “I’ve always wanted to do that.”
    Rian’s eyes softened as he leaned in to kiss the top of her head, his hand resting on her shoulder and squeezing gently.
    “I love you,” he murmured, earning a sweet smile from her as he walked away with Liam and Jax.
    Jax rubbed his hands together, an excited gleam in his eyes as he turned to Rian. “We haven’t had a real drink together since…well, shit, since that time in Transylvania. Remember that? Asshole demon thought he’d pretend to be Dracula and terrorize the tourists.”
    Rian snorted and stared up at his friend. “I can’t believe you even remember that night.” He grinned at Liam as he patted Jax on the back. “Murphy let the locals talk him into drinking an entire bottle of some crazy Eastern European liquor that was in an unmarked bottle. Needless to say, I had to drag him back to the hotel while he sobbed for his mother.”
    “Whoa, now.” Jax stopped mid-step and pointed a finger at Rian in warning. “I thought we weren’t gonna talk about that part of our little excursion ever again.”
    “Oops.” Rian shrugged, grinning as Jax punched him in the arm.
    “Hey now, no fighting till there’s booze. That way it’s fair,” Liam laughed, leading the way into the parlor.
    “I don’t want to leave Capri alone for too long, so just one drink for me,” Rian told them, earning an amused look from Jax.
    “Son, this is your engagement party. I’d say you deserve more than one drink. She’ll be just fine without you for awhile. Blythe will keep her plenty entertained.”
    Rian still looked uncertain, but he smiled at his old friend. “Just don’t make me have to drag you upstairs to your bed this time.”
    Jax just slung an arm over Rian’s shoulders and grinned.
    “I could find Blythe’s bed even if I was deaf, blind and stupid,” he joked, earning a disparaging look from Liam.
    “I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.” He shook his head as he stepped up to the wooden bar in the far corner of the parlor, pointing to the two stools in front of it. “Sit down, gentlemen, and tell me your poison.”
    “Jack Daniels, straight up,” Jax drawled as he took a seat. “And get my boy here the same thing.”
    Liam obliged, pulling out the bottle of Jack with easy finesse and pouring three glasses. He set two on the bar top and then lifted his own in a toast.
    “To Rian and Capri.” He beamed, pleased when Rian nodded appreciatively.
    “Rian and Capri.” Jax grinned, tapping his glass against the others before taking a deep sip and sighing. “Reminds me of home.”
    “Is it strange for you, living here?” Liam asked, leaning against the bar top and enjoying the burn the whiskey left as it slid hotly down his throat.
    Jax shrugged. “I never expected I’d live here, that’s for