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23
Pen
“Here we are,” Xeno says as he parks outside the pawn shop, which fronts Jewels nightclub, the following evening. I smile over at him as his hungry gaze slides up from my killer heels, along my bare legs and up my deep purple, floaty dress, finally resting on my face. “You look beautiful, Tiny.”
“Thank you.” My cheeks heat under the scrutiny of his stare and the dangerous edge of his love. Whenever Xeno looks at me this way, I feel like a glacier melting under the intense heat of the sun. Tonight he’s wearing a sharp, dark grey suit, an open collared white shirt, and black and white brogue shoes, the kind gangsters would’ve worn back in the 1920’s and 30’s. His curly hair is slicked back with wet-look gel and he’s cleanly shaven. I’ve never seen him look so handsome. I shift in my seat, pressing my thighs together.
“You okay?” he asks, his eyes flicking downwards, a knowing smile lighting his emerald eyes.
I raise my hand and brush my thumb over his bottom lip, my fingers sliding along his jaw. “I’m more than okay. You look amazing, Xeno.”
“As much as I’d love to watch you two get it on, I kinda want to hear Adele sing first,” Clancy says, laughter in her voice.
River chuckles. “I dunno, I reckon Pen and Xeno would put on quite the show.”
“One you’ll never be invited to watch, my friend,” Xeno replies with a wink. He bites my thumb playfully then hops out of the car. A couple of minutes later we’re sitting down at a large circular table right next to the stage.
“Where are the guys?” I ask.
“They’ll be here soon,” he replies, motioning for the waiter to come over as we settle into our seats. Xeno orders a bottle of Dom Perignon and a bottle of Cognac.
Clancy grabs my hand beneath the table, leans over and squeals excitedly in my ear, successfully distracting me from the fact that Zayn, Dax and York aren’t here yet. “Dom Perignon! That stuff costs a bomb!”
“Fifty pound a glass, apparently. I’ve no idea how much that bottle costs.”
“Shit on a stick. I do not have that kind of money…” she hisses under her breath.
“You’ve been good friends to our girl. We appreciate it. Tonight’s on me,” Xeno says gruffly, before turning his attention back to the waiter who’s still hovering nearby. He motions him back over and talks in a low voice. After a moment the waiter nods, then tips his head at me and disappears into the club, presumably to get our drinks.
“Everything okay?” I ask Xeno, still feeling unsettled that the others aren’t here yet.
He rests his hand on my thigh, squeezing gently. “You’re stressing out. Don’t. They’re on their way.”
“But—”
“How did last night go with the rehearsal?” he asks, changing the subject.
“Shouldn’t I be asking you how last night went? Jeb rubbing his hands in glee yet?”
“We’re not talking about him tonight, okay? I’ll fill you in on everything later.”
“Fine. You’re right.”
“So the rehearsal?”
“It was great. The girls are getting better and better with every routine I teach them. Grim seemed pleased, and I guess that’s all that matters.”
Xeno nods. “Anything you put together is incredible. You’re a beautiful dancer, Tiny. Grim’s lucky to have you even if I hate you working there. As soon as this is over, your obligation to Grim will end.”
“It’s not an obligation. Despite everything that’s happened I like working there. I want to cont—”
“No. Absolutely not,” he counters, shaking his head. There’s a finality to his tone, and it puts my back up instantly. I give him a look which he meets with a stubborn one of his own. “I’m already pissed at Beast for taking you with him to meetTheDeana-dhe.I’ve never met them, but I’ve heard the stories.”
“Exactly,stories. They’re humans like the rest of us.”
Xeno’s jaw tightens. “Yeah, I don’t believe in those fairytales either, but that doesn’t mean to say they’re not fucking demonic in every other sense of the word. I don’t want you rubbing shoulders with the likes of them and you will if you continue to dance for Grim. That’sherworld, it’s not yours, Pen.”
“We’ll discuss this later,” I say, trying not to let this moment ruin our night. There’s a lot of sense in what he’s saying, but I’m not some little woman Xeno or the rest can push around. I need to make my own choices, and my own mistakes.
