By the time Brexley turns back to me, his wolf has receded except for the icy blue glint in his eyes. A smug grin curves his lips. Goldie clutches my arm harder. I turn to her. “Can you give us a minute?”
She searches my eyes to make sure I’m not secretly in distress before returning to her section. Even Cinder is shooting me concerned glances from the other end of the bar.
“You’re an idiot, you know that?” I say, enunciating the words as if it will help him understand.
The icy glint disappears from his eyes, and the grin turns into a grimace. “Why’s that?”
With a jerk of my head, I bring his attention to the many security guards winding their way through the crowd to get to him.
“Well, I can’t say it’s been fun,” I say, picking up a bottle of whisky, ready to go back to serving.
“I’m not leaving,” Brexley leans over the bar and growls.
I lower the bottle to stress my point, “Go find my grandma, and do your job.”
Presumably, Brexley can report to homebase to find her.
You could too, a nasty voice whispers in my mind.
Hunter. I could call Hunter.
A cold sloshing rocks my gut.
Brexley’s expression empties as he takes quick stock of the room. Mark, Rishi, and even Aki, the three muscular and very capable bouncers close in from every direction.
Then with a nod, Brexley disappears into the crowd. When I say disappears, I mean, disappears. Even security is left scratching their heads, trying to figure out where he went.
I try to swallow down the thick lump of anxiety that built in my throat, but it stays lodged there. Judging by the pointed looks I keep getting from Goldie and Cinder, there are about a hundred questions coming my way over what the hell just happened.
I lick my lips once, twice, three times. The old habit I worked so hard to break just resurfaced. A true indicator I’ve just been pushed past my limits. I bite my lower lip to keep from wetting them again.
There is still time to figure out a cover story. Because there is no way in hell I’m telling them who I really am. I’ve worked too hard to have a normal life with normal friends. Them knowing about the attack, Brexley, and my grandma won’t help any.
I was a reject in my last life, I won’t be one in this life too. Magic needs to stay the hell out of my life, and I plan to keep it that way. And it starts with staying far away from Brexley Moon.
Chapter9
Blow Your House Down
BREXLEY
When Red finally emerges from the Poison Apple, it’s three am. Not only is she impossible to miss because of her hair, but also because my body grew excited mere moments before she exited onto the street.
Without knowing why at first, my blood ran hot and fast, my heart pounded in a frenzy. My palms even turned sweaty, how fucking ridiculous is that? I’m a professional killer. I stay cool and calm no matter what the situation.
Except, there is no denying when I spot the little redhead, I want to chase and pant after her like an excitable pup. It’s as if life infuses me with a rush of dopamine, or a hit of ecstasy.
“On your way to Grandma’s house, little Red?” I ask, falling into step next to her.
Red jerks, looking at me with bewildered fear for a moment. And then something else—something darker flashes in her eyes as she licks her lips. She shakes herself and resumes a quick pace down the street. “Don’t call me that. What are you doing here?”
“Like I said, I’m to stay with you,” I growl.
We continue to walk in the freezing night, silent now.
Being out in the cold for hours upon end has made me cranky. Desperately wanting to be near her again makes me utterly cantankerous. I couldn’t stop thinking about the many sides of the girl I’d known for less than a day, and that is a problem. I can’t be led around by my dick if I want to get the job done.
The instant I left the bar, I wanted back in. I needed to be near her.
