“Not all heroes are part of a British rock band,” Sting says without any hint of humor or irony, but it makes me smile all the same. His tail stretches out, curled around his side, aimed at Patrick. It’s not arched up high, but still visible and dangerous looking. I can hear the intake of breath from Patrick at the sight of the tail. It’s deadly looking. I know I should be afraid of it, too, but I’m not. Seeing it, seeing him, makes me know what Iwant more than anything. Just have to get through this hellish experience. When Lily catches my eye and I turn to her, I see her eyes are bugging out her head.
Why is he here?She mouths silently at me. I just shrug. Did we tell him what hotel we were at? I don’t remember. I don’t care; I’m happy he’s here. Not happy. More than happy, a feeling of relief floods me while at the same time bubbles of something that might be hope float through me. He came for me.
“Good evening, sir. I am going to have to ask you to step away if you aren’t playing the game,” The dealer says calmly, not skipping a beat at the sight of Sting’s magnificent tail.
“Deal me in, ma’am,” he says, a rasp in his voice.
“Excuse me, I was having a conversation with my fiancée.” Patrick waves a hand, an attempt to dismiss Sting, as if he’s someone lowly he can boss around.
“Yes, and I’m here to see that you don’t bother either of these ladies again.” Sting places his bet, his scarred fingers carefully dropping a neat stack of chips on the table. I rest a hand on the table to steady myself, letting my fingers rub the green felt a little to soothe myself. I’m not a fan personally of gambling, but watching this scene unfold is catnip to my brain. Just like with the kit foxes, he is gruff and strong, yet so tender and gentle with small things. I want those fingers to trace the edges of me like they trace the edge of his cards.
To my right is my sister and my…wannabe lover?? I have to swallow hard to reconcile that word in my mind. Yes, that’s who he is. Then, there’s her awful fiancé. The primal urge to pull my sister away from me and Sting tingles in my fingertips. Yanking her by the hair would feel so satisfying right now. I mean, Ilove her, but she’s gotten herself into a pickle, and now she is blocking me from my scorpion cowboy.
I place a hand gently on her arm to get her attention. I need her to move out of my way. Patrick’s voice, a slight whine to it, pipes up, stopping me from whispering to Lily. “I think you are the bother. Much like an irritable insect. Lily is mine, and I will do with her as I please.”
There’s a flash of movement and a squeal of alarm. Next thing I know, Sting’s tail is extended, it’s point tip arched and aimed directly at Patrick’s chest. The squeal came from Patrick.
“Excuse me, neither of these women areyours.They belong to themselves. And no, your jobshouldbe to do whatshewants. But it’s clear you aren’t intelligent enough for that instruction. You aren’t talking to either of these ladies. Or touching them. Or eventhinking about them.Ever again. You’re lucky to walk out of here on your own two feet.” Sting steps close to Patrick, towering over him, and whispers something I can’t make out.
But the meaning is crystal clear. Patrick shoves his cards and chips into the center of the table, about faces, and walks—speed walks—out of the hotel into the desert night air. Is he walking funny due to wet pants? Probably. Sting watches him, ensuring he makes it out of the building. Standing there in profile, strong dangerous tail, fancy tux, sleek cowboy hat, polished boots, my heart pitter-patters even harder. Do scorpion shifters have extra good hearing like werewolves? Gods, I hope not.
Lily opens her mouth to protest. A sound of frustration. Sting turns to her, pulling his hat off his head and holding it in front of his chest like some cowboy straight out of a movie. “Lily, he’s no good. Bad apple sort, if you get my meaning. You can, and will, find someone a million times better.”
“What, first you’re a scorpion, now you’re a psychic?” She stomps her pretty foot in frustration. It surprises me. I gently squeeze her arm to steady her, remind her I’m here with her.
“Lil, you know in your gut he was no good.”
“I know. But I like this.” She stretches her arms out showcasing her sparkly gown and the aura of the casino around us. I nod, sad for her, though I couldn’t disagree more.
“Better to be poor and happy than rich and dead,” I say. She acts like I slapped her across the face. “Lily, you’re my sister, my best friend. I need you to be safe. Alive.” Tears flood my eyes, making it hard to see. All the times we’ve had each other’s back, looked out for each other, kept each other safe. And now she wants to willingly marry a guy who definitely gives off murder vibes. Hell, he wanted theattentionher death would give him for his new business. What a prick!
“How was I so stupid? All I wanted was to make a better life for me. For you, too. I thought that when I saw him, it would be obvious that it was not his fault.He’schased Pat off before I could decide for myself.” And at that, she bursts into tears and falls into my shoulder, almost knocking us both to the ground.
Strong hands steady me, sending a heat through my blue silk gown, warming me in more places than just at the surface of my skin. “I’ve got you.” His whisper is hot against my ear. His scent of leather, earth, and cloves is comforting, makes me think of that adobe house in the desert. I have so many questions for Sting, but right now, I need to be the pillar for my sister.
“Shhh, you’re going to be okay, Lily. We’ve got you. Let’s get changed and grab a bite to eat, okay?” The ‘we’ slips out so easily, and I believe it. It takes her a few minutes to collect herself, buteventually she stands tall again, wipes the tears and mascara across her cheeks.
“I’m going to the airport tonight. I don’t want to be here any longer. I want to see Mom.” My heart squeezes at that reunion. At the thought of a hug from Mom. That’s exactly what Lily needs. “Are you going to come with me?” There’s a challenge in her eyes, lasering in on me. She knows my answer just as well as I do. But she’s going to make me say it. Probably so she can poke me about it.
I hear the slightest intake of breath behind me. Sting, waiting patiently for my answer. It should be so easy, right? To make a decision based solely on what I want. To forge forward to build the future I’ve dreamed of but never thought I could have. But that is scary. I know in my bones that I’m supposed to take care of Lily. It’s always been that way. That’s my job in this life. I almost got us both unalived in the desert this weekend. How can I possibly let her out of my sight now? And get on an airplane without me?
Breathing out slowly, like through a straw, I let go of what could be with the man behind me. The one whose lips tasted like caramel. Of living a peaceful life with a fox for a pet and a scorpion tail wrapped around me, keeping me safe.
I nod. Lily throws her head back in a laugh. “Liar.”
Now I feel like I’ve been slapped in the face. Anger rushes through me in a way I’m not sure I’ve ever felt before. How dare she?
“Look, Hy. His hands are still gripping you, wrinkling that silk.” She pins him with her stare. “Hey Scorpio, that’s dry clean only, just so you know.” Sting snorts, a half-laugh. His fingers dig in more—not hurting me—claiming me. And I like it. I likethe feeling of the silk crushed against my skin. I like the heat of his hands gripping me, not shying away from how much padding surrounds my hip bones. And I love the claiming and possessiveness he exhibits. I absolutely do not lean back into him. His tail wraps around me. Lil makes a face—at first I think it’s disgust, but then I realize it’s jealousy, pure and simple.
“Lily, I’ll go with you and make sure you make it home safe. Then—” I’m interrupted by both Sting and Lily, arguing with me at the same time.
“I’m a grown adult!” Lily says with impudence. “I can get myself home, I don’t need you as a babysitter or bodyguard.” Her look is pointed. I don’t argue, though her statement is questionable.
“She’ll be safe without you. I promise,” Sting says with a growl. I believe him.
What have I gotten myself into?
Chapter 9
