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Although the place was full, it wasn’t rowdy. The chatter was mostly soft, and the music played low in the background. None of the servers looked flushed or frazzled. They were calm yet efficient, which added to the relaxed atmosphere.
A door on their left swung open, and a waitress breezed out of the kitchen, effortlessly balancing several trays on her arms. Devon shook her head in wonder. “I have no idea how they do that.”
“Practice,” said Hunter, expertly slicing into the crusty bread.
Each time the kitchen door opened, a cloud of mouth-watering scents filtered into the room. If she hadn’t been hungry before arriving here, the scenes of grilled meat, spices, hot peppers, and garlic would have wakened her appetite.
Setting down her glass, she raked a hand through her hair. “Damn, Adam, I still can’t believe I forgot our anniversary.”
Adam snorted. “I can. You have all kinds of crazy stuff going on. I’d have been surprised if you were thinking clear enough to remember. It’s a relief for me that you’re not—it assures me that you’re taking the threats to your safety seriously. You have a habit of brushing off danger.”
She lifted her chin. “I do not.”
“You totally do.” Hunter handed her a piece of the bread he’d buttered. “But we love you anyway.”
She bit into the bread a little too roughly, tossing her anchor a haughty look that only made him smile. But that smile faltered when his eyes once again landed on the fingerprints on her wrist. Both males had noticed the brands pretty much straight away. Adam looked concerned. Hunter seemed amused.
“I’m guessing those brands are courtesy of the hellhound,” said Adam.
“You guessed correctly.” She took another bite of her bread rather than elaborate. She adored Adam, she truly did, but this simply wasn’t his business. Not that it would do any good to remind him of that. As her anchor, he saw it as his right to interfere in her life in whatever way he saw fit. Sometimes it was cute, other times it was annoying, but she knew his actions came from a good place.
“And you’re okay with it?” he asked.
Not at all. But if she said that, he’d see it as the green light to confront Tanner about it. That would not only be utterly pointless, it would run the risk of Adam getting his ass whooped.
She shrugged. “The brands will fade soon enough.”
“Don’t think I’m buying the casual act. Your emotions have always been all over the place where this guy is concerned.”
How she wished she could deny that. Chewing the last of her bread, she used a napkin to wipe crumbs from her fingers and mouth. “Look, Adam, I already had this conversation with the girls. I’d rather not have it again.”
“Hmm, I’m sure you wouldn’t. But I’m not just a friend, Dev, I’m your anchor. I’m one of the most important people in your life.”
The hurt in his voice made her chest tighten. “I know, I’m not trying to blow you off.”
“Feels like it.”
She grabbed his hand. “You’re worried I’ll get shit on, I know. I love you for it. But this just—”
“Isn’t his business,” finished Hunter. Slurping his milkshake through his straw, he shrugged at his mate, who was now glaring at him. “Well, it’s not. Come on, Adam, you’re her anchor, not her keeper. She’s not dumb; she knows exactly what she’s gotten herself into. She’ll get herself out of it once she’s ready. And then, if need be, we’ll dig out the shotgun and see how fast the canine can run.”
Adam sighed. “I just—”
“No ‘justs,’” Hunter told him, wagging his finger. “Let it go. Get rid of the frown. Let’s enjoy our meal.” He gave her a subtle wink that said, “I got your back.”
Adam licked his front teeth and then let out a heavy sigh. “Fine. Tell me what it’s like to live in an apartment that costs more than my house.”
Smiling, she smoothed a wrinkle out of the soft, white tablecloth. “Well, it’s pretty awesome.”
Just then, the waitress appeared and set their plates in front of them.
“I just have to snap a photo of this,” declared Hunter, his eyes bright as he stared at his meal. “I’m going to have a bash at recreating this at home.”
Just then, the happy birthday tune began to play out of the loudspeakers. Servers surrounded a circular table, clapping and singing along with the people seated there.
Forking some of her food, Devon smiled at the celebratory spectacle. And that was when the hairs on her nape stood up. Her gaze unerringly shot to her right, and her pulse skittered as she saw Tanner breezing toward her, his muscles rippling and bunching, every inch the predator. And his gaze was firmly locked on her.
Devon swallowed and put down her fork. His feet didn’t make a sound as he prowled along the hard, tiled floor. Eyes followed him, of course. Some people shrunk back, as if not wanting to earn themselves the attention of one of Knox’s deadly sentinels. Other people, mostly women, tossed inviting smiles his way. Bitches. Okay, that wasn’t nice, but she hadn’t said it aloud.
