“We don’t know that.” York worked to keep his voice even.
Lazarus snorted. “It’s them. I fucking know it is.” He moved to the bar gesturing for the barman to give him his weapons.
“Who’s them? Is everyone okay? Did anyone get hurt?” Jenna looked panicked. Her heart still raced and she clasped and unclasped her hands.
“A few people in the crowd got splashed by the blood but everyone is fine,” the guard said. “It’s nothing to worry about.”
Jenna nodded again, some of her color returning.
“Can I have a quick word?” He looked pointedly at Lazarus who nodded. They moved to a quieter part of the club. The guards were being questioned and the human females reassured. York hoped that enough of the attention was on other things and that no one would be focused on them or their conversation.
“What’s up?” Lazarus growled under his breath.
“I’m leaving.”
Lazarus didn’t look shocked. His face remained completely neutral. “Are you sure you want to risk everything?”
“I’m just going to talk to her. I need to set the record straight. How did you know that’s where I was going?”
“You have a thing for that female.”
“I don’t,” York growled. “Okay maybe I do, but”—he shrugged—“it’s complicated. I just need to sort things out with her before I can move on. That’s all.”
“If you go, you will end up fucking her and if you end up fucking her you risk being booted from the program. You need to be very sure that you’re okay with that.”
Since when did Lazarus turn into a fucking shrink? “I have more willpower than that.” York clenched his jaw. “Give me a little more credit.”
Lazarus grinned, his teeth gleamed, making him look more murderous than humorous.
“Jeez, bro, don’t smile like that around any of the females, they’ll run a fucking mile.”
His smile widened even further. “Then they must run. My mate will like that I am built like a brick shithouse, she will love the fact that I drink blood. She will love my smile. When I am with her, I will smile often so she had better love it.”
York found himself smiling as well. “You’re right my friend. A mate should love everything about you…the good…the bad and the ugly. Even if the ugly outweighs everything else.”
His eyes hardened and his mouth became a thin white line. “Are you saying that I’m ugly? I can show you ugly.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” York put up his hands, laughing hard. He felt so much better now that he had decided to go and see Cassidy. “I need to get out of here while the attention is diverted elsewhere.”
Lazarus shook his head. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“I’m only going to talk with her.”
Lazarus choked out a laugh. “If you say so.”
Chapter 12
Cassidy looked at her bags. They had been packed for days and yet she still hadn’t left. Damned if she knew why she hadn’t taken the plunge yet.
She’d given notice on the apartment and her lease was paid up. All loose ends had been taken care of. The only thing left to do was to leave. Get in her newly serviced car and hit the road. Destination unknown…the world was at her fingertips with so many opportunities and adventures ahead of her. What the hell was wrong with her?
Right, she was going to shower and hit the sack early so that she could leave in the morning. This was it. Decision made, she waited for the excitement to bubble up inside of her but instead she got…nothing. Not a damned thing. Maybe she was fearful. That was probably it. It wasn’t every day a girl got to start over. It was a major life change. It was normal to drag her feet like this. Normal to feel a little apprehensive.
There was a knock at the door.
It must be Mrs. Simmons from next door, she thought. She probably needed to borrow a cup of sugar or some eggs again. The old woman was mostly just really lonely and would make up any excuse to pop in for a quick chat.
“Hi Mrs…” The rest of her words died a quick horrible death on her tongue which chose that moment to become paralyzed. Her whole mouth fell open, so the paralysis extended itself to her jaw as well.
It was the last person she had expected to see. York leaned in against the doorjamb. He was wearing a stylish button down shirt and black jeans, sporting a six o’clock shadow that made him all the more attractive. Bastard! She didn’t want to be attracted to him. It irritated her how his shirt pulled tight across his chest. How his jeans encased thick, mouthwatering thighs. Damn him! Cassidy hated the knowing look on his face followed by a half smile that could ignite panties. Not hers thank you very much. Not again.