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I gulp and just stare, drinking everything in. To the left, they turned an old ramp into a stage, where a red monster lady currently sings in a deep, rough sexy voice. Before her are tables made of old barrels, boxes, and a few wooden tables with chairs spread around and monsters crowded everywhere. To the right is a bar, where three monsters make drinks and food. There’s also a dance floor with a few dancing monsters.
There are stairs towards the back leading up to a glass walkway, which seems to have been turned into a viewing area, crowded with talking and laughing monsters.
At the old tracks, there’s a subway train that’s been transformed as well.
The subway carts are now eating areas, with booths and lounges. Another subway train is a bar, and a third seems to be a shop of some kind. The whole place is lit by neon lights and strung with fairy lights. I can’t see beyond the train, but there seems to be walkways there too.
“Beyond are the fighting rings, betting areas, and, well…areas.” He winks at me, making me blush as I nod.
“It’s amazing,” I whisper, and the wide grin he shoots me is worth it as he takes my hand.
“No human has ever set foot here before. You’re the first, Talia, and you will be the last.” I swallow and meet his eyes, knowing he’s giving me much more than his trust, but the trust of all of the monsters. This is their haven, their safe place, and I know the location. He’s trusting me and showing everyone he trusts me.
They stare. Some of his people are used to me and either wave or ignore me, while some of Akuji’s monsters don’t seem surprised, just curious. There are one or two hostile looks, but I ignore them, understanding why they would hate a human and not trust me. They have nothing to worry about, however, because I would never hurt or betray them, especially Cato.
I let Cato lead me through their masses to a booth I didn’t notice. It’s to my right and almost behind an alcove. One can see everything from that table, and there is a red rope around it. He strides past the rope and leads me into the ripped red leather booth with the table before it marred by claw marks. Pulling me into his side, he lounges back and watches his people. “Your own booth, huh?”
“For the leaders.” He grins without looking down at me. “It’s so we don’t have to fight for a table. It’s a perk, one I don’t use often.”
“You come here a lot?” I ask, leaning into his side with my head turned up to peer at him.
He shrugs. “When I’m not working, so not really, I guess.” He frowns as if not realising that.
“You work too much.” I nod. “I do the same.”
“I guess we are very much alike then,” he purrs, leaning down to kiss my head softly.
“I guess we are.” I grin and then jump when some drinks are banged down before me. A female glares at me before smiling suggestively at Cato and walking away, her hips and tail swaying. I blink, turning to Cato, who seems totally oblivious as he takes his drink and sips it.
“Erm…” I hedge. “Who was that?”
“Who was who?” he asks, looking down at me in confusion, and that’s when I realise he truly didn’t notice her or the obvious jealousy pouring from her, which in turn triggered my own. Cato isn’t mine, and I guess I never thought about him being with anyone else or them wanting him, but it makes sense. He’s strong, capable, sexy, smart, and a leader.
“The female clearly wanted you or has had you and was jealous of me,” I admit, grabbing my drink to fiddle with the straw.
“Really?” He frowns, looking around. “Why?”
“Why was she jealous?” I ask bitterly. “Oh I don’t know, because you are strong as hell, so sexy it hurts, smart—” I bite it off and sigh. “She was jealous, she wants you. Don’t let me stop you. Go ahead.” I wave my hand.
Suddenly, his claw-tipped hand grips my chin and softly turns me to face him. “You’re jealous,” he murmurs as if he’s in shock.
“No need to shout it,” I mutter, ripping my chin away before sighing. “I just… I get it, okay? You need to be with one of your kind.” He lets me ramble, and when I glance at him, he’s grinning widely, so I narrow my eyes. “What?”
“You’re adorable,” he murmurs and leans in, running his lips across my cheek. I try to jerk away, but he holds me tight, gripping my neck to keep me there. “I have not been with anyone here, and the only one I want is you, so don’t be jealous. As cute and as proud as it makes me, I don’t want you upset.”
“Yeah, but you have all these women at your beck and call. I never even thought about it. Oh god, did I make friends with one of your exes?”
He’s laughing again, and I cross my arms, fuming as he laughs at me.
“Tally,” he begins, but I ignore him. “Talia, look at me now,” he orders, so I do, softening when he reaches out and cups my cheek. “You have not befriended an ex—”
“You don’t know—”
“I do because I have never been with anyone,” he admits without shame, and my mouth drops open as I stare.
“What? You are a virgin?” I whisper. “A monster virgin.” I giggle, and he grins. “Oh god, you are!”
“Yes, and proud.” He shrugs. “So no jealousy, please.”
