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The get-together with Krystina’s co-workers was pretty low-key, and I was thankful the celebrations ended early. I wasn’t sure if I could handle another minute of watching Jim McNamara gawk at Krystina. The way he obnoxiously stared at her throughout the night was nauseating—especially when he didn’t stop after I put my arm around her waist to stake my claim. Krystina was oblivious as usual, not understanding the effect her simple beauty had on the opposite sex.

However, McNamara wasn’t the only reason I had felt edgy most of the evening. It was awkward being inside the pub tonight and seeing William Murphy. I expected as much and should not have gone . Personal issues aside, it was never easy to run into a club member outside of the scene. Both parties wondered if the other would slip up, break the assumed code of secrecy, and shatter the other person’s need for privacy. It was a dicey situation, and I was relieved the evening went off without too much of a hitch.

Arms loaded with parting gifts, Krystina and I waited at the bar's front door for Hale to arrive. When the Porsche pulled up to the curb, we made a mad dash for the SUV, fighting the rain whipping at our faces. Once we were seated inside, I noticed Krystina was unusually silent, and I half wondered if she was still thinking about the interaction between William Murphy and me.

“You okay?” I asked once we were situated in the back seat.

“I’m fine.” Her tone was clipped.

“You don’t sound fine. Is it because of the thing with Will?”

“Yes. No…I don’t know, Alex. Honestly, it was the whole night.”

“What about the whole night? You seemed like you had a nice time.”

“I guess I’m a better actor than you are,” she said sarcastically. “It was pretty damn obvious you weren’t enjoying yourself. I know you said you don’t fit in well at parties, but geez! You looked like you’d rather be anywhere else!”

“Sorry, but sitting there watching Jim McNamara look like his puppy just died every time you spoke was a little much,” I said dryly.

“You could have ignored him. Oh, wait. You did, along with everyone else who was there. You barely spoke a word all night.”

“They are your friends, Krystina. Not mine,” I pointed out.

“So, what if they aren’t your friends? And what about that thing with Will? How do you guys know each other?”

She was making my head spin with the way she fired off one question after another in such rapid succession.

I sighed. Krystina had her fighting gloves on, and I didn’t want to go a round with her. I had missed her, and I wanted nothing more than to get her back to my place, naked and tied to my bed. To hell with her cursed time of the month. If she was still on her period, I didn’t give a damn. I was desperate to be inside her again.

Maybe I should finally introduce her to my cross…

I temporarily shelved the idea when I noticed she was staring me down, still waiting for a response.

“He belongs to the same club I do,” I finally answered.

“Club? Like one of those clubs?” she asked incredulously.

“Yes, Krystina. One of those clubs. My club. Anyway, we had a disagreement some years back. Let’s just leave it at that.”

“Will? I mean, I never thought…” she trailed off. “I just didn’t think he’d be the type to be into your sort of thing.”

“It’s your thing too now. Remember?” I asked, pointing to the necklace secured around her neck.

“Oh, well, isn’t this just dandy!” she exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air. “I researched this, Alex. Based on what you’re telling me now, I’m pretty sure Will doesn’t think I’m wearing a Celtic symbol around my neck!”

“Trust me—I think Will is just as shocked as you are over the situation.”

“This is so embarrassing,” she mumbled. She put her head down and began rubbing her temples.

Krystina was in a foul mood, and I couldn’t say it was all because of my behavior at the party. There was truth to her words. I had been somewhat standoffish throughout the night, but it was merely because I felt out of my element amongst her peers. There was something else eating at her, but I couldn’t pinpoint what it was.

“What else is bugging you?”

“I’ve been walking around all day with this necklace on, advertising I’m a part of a world I truly know nothing about. The only experience I have is with you!”

“What’s your point?” I asked somewhat irritably. I was beginning to lose my patience with her little temper tantrum.

“You’re so tight-lipped about your past. Hoping for a straight answer from you about anything is like wishing for snow in July. Then there’s this whole business regarding your alternative lifestyle—that’s an entirely different beast. I know there’s more you’re not telling me, and it’s probably nothing I can read about on the internet.” She paused to take a breath, then looked me square in the eyes. “I need answers. I want to go to your club.”