"I didn't know you could play the piano," Dani said after Billy had taken a break.

"I was keeping it under wraps. Please don't tell Derek," Billy pleaded, "He'd just give me a hard time about it. Besides, I wanted to surprise him on his birthday by playing him a song when we're at home. He plays the keyboard."

"Billy, why do you let Derek bully you so much?"

Billy pushed up his red glasses and looked away, "He's not as bad as he seems. When it's just the two of us, he's really nice."

"So? That shouldn't make it okay for him to be a jerk in public," Dani said.

"Please, let's not argue about him," Billy said. "I really just wanted to share my secret with someone. I've been playing here twice a week for the past few months."

"I'm sorry. You're right. Congratulations. I'm very proud of you."

"Thanks. You look beautiful by the way, Dani."

Dani blushed and pulled on her black dress, "I didn't realize this place was so strict when it came to their dress code. They almost didn't let me in."

"Sorry, I forgot to mention it," Billy said, looking past Dani. "So you came with your boyfriend."

"My boyfriend?" Dani looked back to see Jax, watching them from the bar. "He's not my boyfriend."

"He looks jealous," Billy giggled. "Of me."

Dani smiled, "You're a handsome guy. Why wouldn't he be jealous. By the way, before I forget...were you here four nights ago?"

"Four nights ago? I don't think so. Why?"

"I was trying to find out if someone I knew had been here a few days ago. She came alone but didn't leave alone."

Billy laughed, "That could be anyone. This place is a total hook-up spot."

"Is it?"

"Yes. I wasn't here a few nights ago but I heard a guy even got on the piano to serenade his date."

"Really?"

"Yeah, this place is supposed to be a classy wine bar," Billy said, "but really it's just a place for middle-class folks to meet other middle-class people to hook up. Someone even said the bar hires escorts."

"Wow," Dani looked back at Jax who was talking with a blonde waitress.

"Jealous?" Billy whispered, a smile on his face.

"No," Dani crossed her arms. "He's totally not capable of cheating on me."

"I've never seen you so confidant, Dani. You must really be secure in your relationship."

"I'm secure that there's no way he could cheat on me since we're not dating," Dani murmured. She turned back to Billy, "Forget him. You were fabulous. Do you think you could play another song?"

"Of course. I'll be right back."

Dani walked over to Jax and looked pointedly at the blonde's hand which was on his forearm.

"Don't be jealous Panda Eyes," Jax grinned. "I told her I had a girlfriend but she wouldn't leave me alone. I'm glad you came to defend my honor."

"She's your girlfriend?" the blonde asked, pointing to Dani.

"Yes," Jax whispered. "She's the one I told you about. The one that's a black belt. The one that gets very jealous. She attacked the last woman that hit on me. Did I mention she just got out of prison?"

The blonde quickly removed her hand, "Well, you two enjoy your evening."

"Prison? Really?" Dani shook her head.

"Sorry, but she wouldn't lay off."

"As if you didn't like the attention."

"Not when I'm working," Jax said. "And not when I'm here with a beautiful woman."

Dani felt her cheeks heating up.

"Drink some wine, Dani.'

"No thanks. I don't drink."

"One sip isn't going to hurt," Jax pushed the glass towards her. "Drink it for me since I'm playing designated driver tonight."

Dani eyed the red wine for a moment before taking a sip.

"It's good, right?"

She nodded, and took a heartier drink, "This really is good."

"I'm not going to have to worry about you getting drunk, am I?" Jax laughed.

She was saved from responding when Billy's voice filled the bar.

"I'd like to dedicate this song to my friend. Whether she realizes it or not, she's a very special person in my life," Billy flexed his fingers before performing the piano version of Lean on Me.

"Kids these days," the bartender said, leaning against the bar where Dani and Jax were sitting. "They all think a song is going to win them a woman."

"Did someone get serenaded recently?" Jax asked nonchalantly.

The bartender's eyes narrowed, "Why do you ask?"

"Just wondering. Have you seen her here without me?" Jax pointed at Dani, who was staring at Billy, her hands clasped together.

The bartender laughed, "It looks like she's barely here with you tonight the way she's staring at the boy on the piano."

Jax lowered his voice, "Was she here?"

"Not that I can remember."

"Are you sure? Do you all have cameras here?"

The bartender shook his head, "Nah. We had some but they mysteriously got broken a few weeks back. Never got them fixed. As for your girl, I don't remember seeing her. She seems a bit classy so I'd remember her. Most of the women that come here look a little overdone if you catch my drift."

"Her friend recommended this place to us. Maybe you've seen her. She's pretty conservative. Tall. Dark hair and eyes."

"That could be any number of people," the bartender shrugged. "The truth is, I don't remember too many faces."

"How did the cameras get broken?" Jax asked.

"I wouldn't know. You sure are asking a lot of questions," the bartender said.

"I'm a curious guy. Jealous too. I don't want her coming here without me," he said pointing to Dani. Her friend might try to bring her without me. She thinks I'm too controlling."

"Maybe you are."

"I just want to keep her safe," Jax said. "There are a ton of psychopaths out there."

The bartender nodded, "Yeah, you hear about that Maestro guy? Now that's a sick human being."

"If you call that human," Jax glanced at Dani, who was clapping her hands while walking over to her friend.

"Here, do me a favor and take a look at this," Jax showed the bartender a picture of Remy Kress. "Have you seen her here?"

"Possibly. Yeah, I think I did. Is she your girl's friend?"

Jax nodded, "Was she here alone the last time you saw her?"

The bartender rubbed his chin, "I remember her because she seemed out of place. She was wearing a gray dress. Boring. I don't remember seeing anyone with her but she left in a hurry. I remember that because she left her drink almost untouched."

"When was that?"

"About four nights ago. I've got a question for you."

"Yeah?"

"Why do you have a picture of your girlfriend's friend in your phone?" the bartender smirked. "She's not really her friend, is she? What? You don't want them to accidentally meet?"

Jax gave a crooked smile, "A man can never be too careful."

"I used to play the field too. I'm too old for that now. You should think about settling down. That girl you have might leave you if she finds out you're cheating on her," the bartender pointed to Dani. "Hell, she might leave you for the piano player the way she keeps staring at him."

"I'll keep that in mind," Jax said, before walking over to Dani who had finished another glass of wine and was taking another from a passing waitress. Billy had joined her and was laughing at something she said.

"Dani, are you almost ready to go?" Jax asked.

"Hi," Billy shook Jax's hand. "I'm her friend, Billy Grierson. I've seen you at the diner a few times."

"Yeah, I like pancakes."

"I'm sure that's not all you like," Billy said, stealing a glance at Dani, who was gulping down her wine.

"This is so delicious. I need another," Dani said to herself.

"I've never seen her like this," Billy admitted.

"Me either," Jax said.

Dani turned to Jax and placed a hand on his shoulder, "I feel like dancing? I never get to dance. Do you want to dance?" She stepped forward and almost tripped over herself. Both Billy and Jax held her steady.

"I think she's had a bit too much to drink," Jax chuckled. "I better take her home.

"Yeah. I still have an hour left on my shift here. It was nice meeting you, Jax."

Jax nodded before trying to steer Dani towards the door, "You must be a lightweight when it comes to alcohol if a few glasses of wine did this to you."

"I know...I just want to dance," Dani broke free from Jax's grasp and began dancing in the middle of the parking lot. Jax looked around before running towards her and pulling her into his arms.

"First, let's get you home. Where do you live, Panda Eyes?"

Dani placed her hands on Jax's face, "Dolores says you're handsome."

"So you've told me."

Jax grabbed her wrists and tried pulling her hands away. Dani groaned, "Let me touch you. I never get to touch anyone."

"What are you talking about?" Jax said, moving his head back as she almost poked one of his eyes with her fingers.

"You have such a strong chin. Strong jaw. Strong cheek bones. I wonder how strong you really are," Dani giggled. "Do you have a lot of nightmares, Mr. Policeman?"

Jax pulled her wrists down only to have Dani try dancing in his arms.

"Note to self, never take you drinking," Jax struggled, but he managed to get Dani inside his car and buckled in. He shut the car door, wondering how the night had turned into such a mess when he saw two men standing by the driver's side of the car.

"Can I help you two?" Jax asked.

"That's a nice necklace your girlfriend has," one of the men said. He lifted his hand to scratch his cheek and Jax saw the wolf tattoo that marked him as a member of Los Lobos Locos.