"Stefan Vucak - Hunger" - читать интересную книгу автора (Vucak Stefan)

HUNGER

STEFAN VUCAK
Author of the Award Nominee Shadow Gods Saga
CHAPTER 1

It was one of those bars you end up in after a movie or a do it yourself dinner.
Inside, they played thin reedy music, the kind of stuff that used to be popular in
the sixties - favored by the oldies and the sentimental at heart. Half the time you
couldn't hear anything anyway above the blanket of noise and anonymous chatter.
There was a little open square among the tables where you could dance if you
wanted to, or just cling to someone. The drinks weren't watered and the
bartender would talk to you if he wasn't busy. It was cheaper than a session with
my shrink and delivered the same kind of service.
Maybe it was the slow pace or the square atmosphere, but there were always a lot
of young people hanging around. Some came to enjoy the novelty, liked the mood
and the dated sounds and many of them became regulars.
That's how I met Dan.
We were checking out the scenery after ordering; mine was a scotch and dry, no
ice. When the drinks arrived, he appeared to scrutinize the amber fluid, gave me a
sidelong glance and shrugged.
"If I wanted a decent drink, I wouldn't be here," he decided and raised his tumbler
in a salute.
He wore a gray corduroy blazer and black trousers. Clear blue eyes regarded me
with amused cynicism. His hair was light brown that sat on his head in a thick mop.
It was streaked with strands of white. He had the kind of rugged exterior that made
women fall at his feet and men take orders from.
I tried to suppress my jealousy and returned the salute.
"Check," I said with a grin and glanced briefly at the crowd. "It's only a
diversion."
The bar was a very good place to get picked up - by either sex.
His laugh was deep and lit up his eyes. No pretense there and I began to warm to
him. The eyes can tell you a lot about a person. He leaned back against the bar and
scanned the room.
"The name is Dan," he said and stuck out a meaty a hand.
"Frank," I said and nodded. His hand was cool and dry and we maneuvered for a
knuckle crusher. He had the height and reach, but I only smiled as his expression
changed from a confident smirk into a surprised grimace of pain. I let him go before
he was reduced to squirming.
"Damn!" he grunted massaging his hand. "It's been a while since I came off
second best."
"I'll be around whenever you want a reminder." We had a hearty chuckle at that.
Looking around, he suddenly pointed with his head. "Frank! Take a look at that
chassis, man."
I followed his glance and almost missed her.
She wasn't all that tall, but there was something about the way she stood, a power
held in check that radiated from her and made me stare. I could swear that for a
second every male eye in the room was turned on her. Must have been my
imagination.
Her black hair spilled across her shoulders and hung straight above a slim waist.