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His father pursed his lips. “Yes, well, you sure pick your timing to start listening to me.”
“I always listen to you, old man. Sometimes it just takes a little longer to get through my thick skull.”
Dad chuckled. “At least you whooped his ass in front of a whole bunch of demons and other paranormal creatures. Showed them what we’re capable of, didn’t you?”
“Yeah,” he mumbled before making his way to the bar. He needed a drink before he changed for his company’s afternoon activities. His body cringed. He was not looking forward to playing the company man for nine whole days.
“You fought that demon,” the bartender said in greeting, handing Greyson a drink he hadn’t yet ordered.
Grey sat at the bar, not at all bothered that all he wore was a towel. It was a beach resort, and surely folks would assume he wore his swim trunks under the plush covering.
With a sigh, Grey eyed his drink. It was bright green and yellow with a hint of turquoise. Greyson didn’t really trust it and sniffed at it.
“Don’t worry. I wouldn’t give a hero a trick drink. You earned that.” The bartender nudged his chin toward the drink.
“What is it?”
“I told you. It’s a hero’s drink. You drink that, and you’ll get your reward.”
Grey chuckled. “My reward? For what?”
“For being a hero,” the bartender said as if he were annoyed he even needed to explain himself.
“What’s your name?” Greyson asked.
“Lou. And you’re Greyson Verlice. Dragon shifter, here with your father’s company.”
“That’s right, but I prefer to be called Grey.”
“Oh, I knew that,” Lou grinned.
Grey took another sniff of the drink before actually tasting it. It wasn’t bad. In fact, with his third sip, he thought it was probably the best drink he had ever had in his life. The aftertaste lingered, and he found himself reaching for another gulp. “You sure know a lot for a bartender. I never would’ve ordered this, but it’s good. Really good.”
Lou waved him off. “You flatter me. I know enough to do what I can.”
“What does that mean?” Grey narrowed his eyes, his shifter senses tingling.
“What kind of reward would you like?” the bartender chuckled. “For helping the witches,” Lou clarified as if he somehow knew Greyson would need all the patience in the world to get through the next few days.
“I don’t need a reward for doing the right thing. Or at least making sure that demon thinks twice about being a dick next time he’s in a public setting.”
“See? You’re just a great guy.”
What an odd demon. Grey and his dragon agreed.
FOUR
KAIA
The sun shone brightly, and there was nothing better than the fun, black with red beads cocktails Lou had made for them. Kaia had stopped counting after her third because it was barely past noon.
Holiday Kaia was a bit of a party animal, but Work Kaia was a work animal. Did that make sense? Was she drunk? Maybe she was … Her sister and the others were sure totally liquored up.
“You can see that, right?” Rachel pointed at the water, right where the small waves lapped the dry sand.
“You mean the pack of totally hot men?” Ian lifted his sunglasses. “Yes. We all see them. I don’t think I ever want to see anything ever again. I’m good with this view forever.” He slid his sunglasses back on and continued to enjoy the show.
“I think it’s a stupid display of crappy masculine power,” Rachel grumbled.
