“You should have taken me up on my offer,”Carha taunted as the Savages surrounded him.
“And what offer was that?” Aidengrowled.
“The one for the best fuck of yourlife.”
Aiden’s mind flashed back to their lastconversation in her room.“Soon,” she’d said. “You’ll be beggingto have me.”
“That will be the last time I come here,”he’d told her.
“Oh, I doubt that will be the last time,”she’d replied.
Then, he’d assumed she meant he would onlycome back for more sex with her afterward, but what she’d trulymeant was she expected that night to be the last time he enteredher club. He’d refused her advances too many times, and themiserable bitch had taken the saying “Hell hath no fury like awoman scorned” to a whole new level.
He’d make her pay, not for what she’d doneto him, but because Maggie had been caught up in Carha’sspitefulness too.
“And when they’re done with you, they’regoing to kill that little human bitch you brought intomyclub,” Carha said.
Aiden’s hands fisted, but he kept himselffrom lunging at her. “You’ll be dead before that can ever happen,”Aiden vowed.
Fear flickered in Carha’s eyes, but hisattention was drawn from her and to the vampire beside her, the onewho had hurt Maggie. “She tasted delicious,” the Savage murmuredand licked his lips.
Aiden smiled at the Savage as his fangslengthened. “I’m going to enjoy killing you the most.”
Aiden widened his stance as he beckoned theSavages forward with a wave of his hands.
• • •
Maggie glanced at her phone, worried she’dsomehow turned it off or accidentally placed it on silent. Itwasn’t her normal phone, after all; it was possible she’d donesomething to it. Or at least that’s what she kept tellingherself.
It was still on, the screen obnoxiouslyblank. She’d tried calling and texting Aiden, but it had gonestraight to a computerized voice mail, and there had been no replyto her messages. Maggie drummed her fingers on the bar as she gazedat the occupants.
Sitting here was driving her nuts, but shehad no idea what else to do. Usually, she’d go for a run, but shehad at least a bottle of Crown Royal in her, and she didn’t think awhiskey-fueled run was the best idea. Absently, she scratched ather arm before rechecking her phone.
She hated this almost clinginess feeling andsense of loss enveloping her. This wasn’t who she was. Yes, shecared for Aiden, but her whole world couldn’t revolve around a man;she refused to let it.
“He’s fine,” Vicky said, but she didn’tsound as confident as she had earlier.
Maggie glanced at the TV. The game had endedover an hour ago. She rose and stood on the backside of her stool.She gripped the seat. “Then why do I have such a bad feeling?” shemuttered.
Vicky and Abby exchanged a nervous look.“Why don’t you call Ronan?” Abby suggested to Brian, who alreadyhad his phone to his ear.
“Ronan’s phone is off,” Brian replied, “butthat’s normal if they’re working on something. Also, now thatRonan’s mated, his phone’s off more often too.”
“Those damn mated vamps,” Vicky quipped andwinked at her sister before smiling at Maggie. “See, there’snothing to worry about.”
“You don’t believe that either,” Maggie saidto her. “Can we go to where they are?” she asked Brian.
“No. I’m not taking you three anywhere nearwhat is going on. No,” he said more firmly to Abby when she openedher mouth to protest. He placed his hand over hers as if to temperhis next words. “You won’t win this one. Besides, Maggie ismortal.”
Abby stared at him for a minute. “He’sright. Aiden will have our asses if we risk yours.”
“Maybe he’s decided not to return,” Maggiesaid.
“That willneverhappen,” Abby said.“I know you don’t get the bond of mates, but believe me, Hellitself wouldn’t keep him away from you.”
Brian nodded his agreement. Maggie downedthe rest of her glass and pushed it toward the bartender. The heatof someone’s body warmed her elbow. She glanced at the man who hadwalked up to stand beside her. “Can I buy you a drink?” heinquired.
“No.” She turned dismissively away fromhim.
