Idon’t mean to stop dancing.
I mean to keep laughing with Roo and pretending like tonight is just another liquor-and-glitter therapy session with my best friend. But the second that woman touches him, my body goes still, that feral thing inside me waking up with vengeance in mind.
She says something I can’t lip-read from this far away. But I watch her fingers trail along his arm like she’s trying to leave her mark of arrogance on one of my guys.
Kieran barely acknowledges her, turning only once to say what I hope is a terrifying warning about not pissing me off. He doesn’t move after that except to look at me.
Not past me.
Not through me.
Atme.
“I’ll kill her too,” I mutter, the words slipping out before I can stop them.
Kieran’s mouth curves, a knowing half-smile that lives somewhere between restraint and ruin.
I’m happy he can read my intentions so clearly.
Roo spins into me mid-laugh and follows my gaze before she scoffs and rolls her eyes at me.
“Holy, hey Zeus. Are you two always like this now? Because you could set this entire bar on fire with that look alone.”
“He started it,” I point out.
Roo snorts. “He’s definitely going to finish it, too. Shit. I might actually be a little jealous.”
I throw my head back, laughing at her disgruntled expression.
The music shifts, bass dropping into a darker sound. The crowd presses closer, heat and movement bleeding together. Someone bumps into my back and apologizes without really meaning it.
I don’t care.
Roo drags me to the bar for water, glancing around as she asks, “Do you think he’s still waiting?”
“Yes.”
“Probably in the alley?”
“That’s what I’m thinking. So he can walk out as we pass him.”
She tilts her head, studying me instead of the room. “So, still no plan?”
I take a slow sip of my water, eyes drifting once more to the shadows where I know my HimLock guys are stationed. She’s not asking me about a plan to push me into making one; she’sasking so she can know the rules beforehand, so she’s not led by impulsivity.
“I don’t have one,” I say honestly. “I just know it’s tonight.”
Roo’s lips twitch. “Good. Waiting never suited you.”
“Should we bring them with us? Or do you want it to just be us two?”
She doesn’t answer right away, just watches me for a beat before shrugging. “You already killed someone in front of them.”
I glare at her. “Fair, but not the point.”
“Bring them.” She bumps her shoulder against mine. “I need to vet them a little more, anyway.”
That… sounds like a terrible idea, but I don’t argue with her.
