Page 48 of Poet & Protector

Ansel looked at me and shrugged. He could never stay mad; it wasn’t in his nature. “At least the music was good.”

My plan was failing in a spectacular fashion. Instead of going unnoticed, I’d caught the attention of the Bane alpha and now Nev was not only going to know I’d come to his show, but he was also the arbiter of my fate.

Ren approached the stage and beckoned to Nev, who crouched to listen to his alpha’s report. My stomach twisted as I watched Nev go completely still before he looked up, a fully alert Guardian. When his eyes locked on me it was all I could do to not sink under the table.

I half expected him to send his alpha back to tell us to go to hell, that we’d have to make a run for it before the bouncer came and threw us out the door. But Ren returned to his packmates’ table and now Sabine was kneeling beside Nev, their heads close together.

Wonderful, maybe Nev is sending his entire pack over to muscle us out just for funsies. Ugh. We should bolt now and cut our losses.

But no, Nev had jumped off the stage and was coming toward our table. On his own.

I wasn’t going to literally turn tail and run away from him. I braced myself for the inevitable confrontation.

If I could make it through this without being utterly humiliated, I’d take the win.

NEV

“You’re not serious.” I stared at my alpha, processing what he’d told me.

Mason was in the Burnout?

“Back left corner.” Ren watched me closely to gauge my reaction.

Schooling my face into a neutral expression, I searched the bar and, sure enough, the Nightshade was there. He’d picked a good spot to stay out of sight. His table was mostly cloaked by shadow. I wouldn’t have noticed him if not for Ren. I fought hard to hide my shock, not wanting my alpha to know how bewildered I was after learning Mason snuck into my show.

Why the hell was he here?

Then I noticed he wasn’t alone.

I shook my head and scoffed. “He brought Ansel?”

“Yeah. Calla has no idea,” Ren replied with a low chuckle.

“Of course she doesn’t,” I said. “She’d kill both of them.”

“She would.” He tilted his head, still trying to get a read on my feelings. “I told him I wouldn’t get him in trouble if you want him here.”

I gave him a startled look. Damn it. So much for hiding my reaction.

“It’s your show,” Ren said coolly. “If you want me to get rid of them, I will. Or if you’d rather let Calla kill them, I can handle that, too.”

I smiled but shook my head. “I’ll take care of it.”

“You sure?” Ren’s searching gaze set me on edge.

“Yeah.”

“If you change your mind, you know where to find me,” he said.

I nodded and he left to rejoin our packmates at their table. Unlike Mason, they were sitting right in front of the stage.

I stayed where I was. Despite telling Ren I’d handle the situation, I was reluctant to confront Mason.

Sabine wandered over and knelt beside me.

“I take it you heard all that,” I said, glancing at her.

“Indeed,” she replied. “If you think bringing our alpha sends too strong a message, I can be your wing-wolf when you go over there.”