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The Den is packed tonight, and none of the owners are around. Big surprise. With Emerson in the mix, I’d find it more shocking if they were actually here.
“Dread claimed Emerson in front of the entire club,” Charity says, fanning herself. “Gods, I know I’ll never get lucky enough to have a hellhound for a mate, but that shit was insanely hot.” She gives me a goofy smile. “Like, the dirtiest, most intense fucking I’ve seen in years.”
My lips roll together as I try to hold back a laugh. It didn’t take long for him to follow my advice.
My bosses suck at running a business. Couldn’t they have warned me that they’re going to be out for a while?
“There was some drama with Emerson’s ex, and Laithe kicked all of us out. I mean, not that I was going to stay and watch the brawl, but—”
“Damn,” I grumble, cutting her off. “And that’s happening now?”
“Um, as of five or ten minutes ago.” The oversized neckline of her T-shirt falls down her arm as she shrugs a lithe shoulder.
That’s going to be a nightmare to clean up. If an alpha has challengers during a claiming ritual, then they usually fight to the death.
“Wait, her ex actually challenged Dread?” I ask as my brain finally catches up.
I’d be concerned, but I know how hard he is to kill.
“No.” Her head shakes. “He showed up with someone important, though. I don’t know much about shifter culture. Well, outside of dragons, and that’s only because of Veryn.”
“I’m not getting involved,” I say as my brain runs through contractors we’ve worked with in the past. Venom is apparently going to need a remodel. “You should probably get out of here. Isn’t it way past the end of your shift?” My eyes fly to the clock as she laughs.
“Nah, I just got off twenty minutes ago.”
Bane stands across the room, leaning against the wall and intently watching Charity.
“Your escort has arrived.” I nod at the shifter as he crosses the room. He’s handsome, in that half-feral, dangerous sort of way. Short black stubble lines his chiseled jaw, and he’s got hair that’s so long on top it’s almost obnoxious, while the sides are shaved. He’s wearing a puffy bomber jacket and boots that are open at the top.
Charity spins to see what I’m talking about. “After that show I watched at Venom.” She turns back to me, wiggling her eyebrows. “You never know.”
I chuckle. Having grown up in the human world, she seems to forget just how superior some species’ hearing is.
“Have a good night.” She waves goodbye, skipping off toward Bane.
I sigh, scanning for Saber. I originally came into the gambling room to look for him, but he’s likely over at Venom, handling whatever happened with Dread and Emerson.
The days seem never-ending without the bosses around to help put out proverbial fires.
* * *
I haven’t had a single day off since Dread claimed Emerson. The days bleed into each other as time flies by.
The Den is on high alert while the owners make a plan to deal with whatever trouble Emerson has following her and her pup.
Marius, Saber, Warren, and Atlas help make do in their absence. We split two of them on each shift, and I run overlap from the evening into the early morning when Venom and The Den are the busiest.
If something doesn’t change pretty soon, I’m going to have to ask for help. I either need them to start acting like owners again or give me the authority to promote people with full benefits and the pay that comes with their new position. I may not have a family waiting for me at home, but my quickening is approaching.
I’m exhausted and cranky.
We’re managing, but it feels like every time I put out a fire, two more pop up in its place. There’s also the fact that running a business is nearly impossible when I don’t feel comfortable being around unknown patrons.
Octavia, who presides over the town council, created the entire foundation of Haven hundreds of years ago. Our little town offers sanctuary for all. She isn’t afraid to push back against the paranormal council to uphold the safety and anonymity of every citizen.
It’s still intimidating.
I’m unsure if it’s my family or the fae courts that are searching for me, but I know they haven’t stopped. Bringing hunters to a sanctuary city feels like an awful way to repay the kindness that’s been shown to me.
