Back when my demon and I realized that Sabrina had claimed us, I was terrified, but relieved that it was us, because I knew it would mess with Reid’s head. All of my life I’ve been trying to protect him from the world, and from himself. Now, he has what I’ve always secretly wanted for him; someone that can protect him better than I ever could, so I won’t have to anymore.
I’m not even sure if the thought is mine or my demon’s, we’re so intertwined at this point. He’s such a pivotal factor in my identity, I don’t know who I am without him, but I’m starting to make my peace with that. We both want to take care of the people we care about, to fight for them until they’re able to fight for themselves.
Sabrina gives him a two fingered, mocking salute. “See you then.” And promptly pulls me out of the way so she can shut the door in his face.
With a heavy exhale, she opts for humor to combat the tension in the air. “So, who wants to place bets on if we make it to the SUV and truck without getting eaten alive? Because I’m going to go out on a limb and say that Kaige’s pack isn’t going to be too happy with him after he mutilated that guy and hasn’t slid back into his leadership role, let alone if word spreads that the Slaughters’ pack is getting first dibs on our miracle drug.”
Hunter steals her back from me with a derisive scoff. Throwing her over his shoulder, he storms off back to the bedroom. “After that speech? I’ll be shocked if there isn’t a damn red carpet rolled out from here to the truck.”
***
“Just one more thing.”
Glancing down with a smile to where I’m kneeling at her feet, Sabrina playfully waggles her eyebrows. “A kiss for good luck?”
Lifting the hem of her white sundress, I slide the leather straps into place around her thigh. After everything is tightened, I slip the obsidian dagger that I gave her what feels like a lifetime ago into it.
“Not a bad idea.” Starting at her ankle, I gently skim my fingertips up the back of her leg. Pressing a kiss above her knee, I slowly work my way higher and over the straps, up to her underwear. “I might be down here all night, though.”
“If only,” she says on a wistful sigh, reluctantly encouraging me to stand. Fixing the hem of her dress so it conceals the dagger, her amusement falls away as her nerves take over. “I really hate this.”
––––––––
Palming the nape ofher neck, I rest my forehead against hers and whisper, “So do I.” I only allow us a few seconds to lament our situation before shaking it off. “But think of it this way. We have leverage until after you do what he needs. It’sthenthat we really need to worry, so we may as well consider this a much needed break from this godsforsaken place. A free meal and a change of scenery as the evil villain confesses all of the details to his diabolical plans. Maybe we’ll get lucky and he’ll give us an opening so you can stab him in the eye. Might not kill him, but you have to admit, it would be a fun way to end an evening.”
––––––––
Tilting her chin up, she captures my lips in a lingering kiss. “It would, wouldn’t it? In case that falls through, though, want to over-order so we can bring home leftovers?”
Slinging an arm around her shoulders, I guide her to the main room where the others are waiting for us. “Bleed him dry in every meaning of the words; I like the way you think, angel.”
***
“We are woefully underdressed.”
As soon as the doors close behind us, it becomes abundantly clear that Ash picked this place in a blatant attempt to impress her. Even with Sabrina and Slade dressed on the nicer side of the spectrum, we stick out like sore thumbs.
Low lighting makes the colors of the illuminated, circular waterfall in the center of the restaurant stand out as a focal point. As the colors slowly shift through the spectrum, it changes the tone of the atmosphere in a romantic way that I hate to admit, is actually impressive. It dances off of the empty glassware laid out on dark wooden tables, and by the reservation cards marking every table in sight, they’re planning on a full house when they officially open in an hour.
“For Mr. Wilder’s party, correct?” the hostess asks. At Slade’s nod, she makes a note in the leather book before snapping it shut. “Follow me, please.”
Striding away from the stand at a brisk pace, the hostess leads us across the main dining space to a closed door, holding it open for us to proceed her into the private room. Ash is already here waiting, seated at the head of a long table with a glass of wine in hand, and another of the illuminated waterfalls spanning the wall at his back. All of us hesitate, unsure of how to handle the seating arrangement. Obviously we’re going to put Sabrina as far away from this sociopath as possible, but we may have to draw straws to see which two of us are going to be the unlucky bastards that get stuck sitting beside him.
While Slade makes a point of pulling out Sabrina’s chair for her, I use the opportunity to slip into the seat to her right, and it sets off a chain of frantic musical chairs. The rest of the guys hastily attempt to snag the good seats, leaving Damian cursing under his breath and Slade shooting a narrowed glare at all of us.
With a swift kiss to Sabrina’s cheek, my eldest brother makes his way to the last open seat; at Acheron’s right hand. “I was the only one that was an actual gentleman. Why am I being punished?”
To my right, Bo suggests, “Nice guys finish last?”
Ash rolls his eyes, but doesn’t comment on everyone acting like his presence is akin to the plague. “Sabrina, you look lovely as always.”
She gives a hum of acknowledgment, but doesn’t reply. A low, displeased rumble starts up in my head, and I’m banking on it lasting the entire night. Treating it like white noise, I skim the wine list. There aren’t any prices on the menu; if you have to ask, you can’t afford it, mentality. Unfortunately for Ash’s wallet, the events that Slade dragged us to over the years were filled with men of a similar mindset, always attempting to flaunt their wealth. Several of the brand names are familiar, and I offer some self-serving suggestions to guide my lovely mate’s choice. She may make jokes, but these sorts of situations always leave her uncomfortable. Me? Not in the slightest.
From his place squished between Bo and Slade, Kaige announces, “I’m thinking one bottle isn’t going to be enough for all of us to get through tonight.”
Eight simultaneous forms of, “Agreed,” ring out, and when Ash chuckles, it somehow turns the tone around to make it sound like we’re petulant children that he’s humoring with all of the patience in the world.Thatcuts off the low rumble in my head and I can actually feel his wolfish grin as he comes to a decision.
Please don’t. We need to at least semi-behave while we pump him for information.
