"You're the beta, man. Have some respect." Jake shook his head.
"I've got it all going on with this look. And this mask? It's one of a kind."
"You could say that again."
"You need to learn to embrace the animal world." Dimitri held out his hands in a broad gesture, giving a laugh. "Ya know I had to talk Logan out of wearing that shitty cat mask he likes. For an Alpha, he's way too attached to that feline of his. That tiny thing rules the house."
"Pussy can do that to you." Jake smiled
"That it does." Dimitri smiled. "And it can be pretty, pretty nice. Doesn't seem to affect you, though. Y'all playin' the field more than ever. How's the little blond you were seein'? Tabitha?"
"We're not mates, if that's what you're asking. You know how it is."
"Yeah I do. Just because you're not mates, that doesn't mean you don't form bonds with females. I've seen you guys together. You get on well."
"I'm not exclusive." Jake shrugged. "I was with Kat once too. Now she's gone."
"Don't tell me you were hung up on her?"
"No way, man. She's with Jax. They're mates. And you know, Jax … he and I, we're more than cool."
"It's like that then?" Dimitri raised a questioning eyebrow at Jake.
"You know how it is. Even you and Gillian … you know what you did to save me."
"Yeah I do, and it's our way. I'm just surprised y'all were with Jax. I know he's Gillian's brother and I respect him, but you and him? You guys didn't exactly get along."
"True, but things have changed since New York. Don't get me wrong. He can still be kind of a dick but there's a reason why he's the Alpha. He takes good care of Kat."
"So what's got you all serious tonight? This is a party if you haven't noticed. You pissed about Logan sending you back to San Diego?"
"You know then?" Jake said, surprised. He should have known Logan would have told his beta.
"We talked about it yesterday." Dimitri reached for a martini as a passing waiter offered the drinks.
"I'm not exactly crazy about going back. Don't get me wrong. It's cool there. Sun. Surf. Tiny bikinis." Jake blew out a breath and scanned the room, his eyes focusing onto the entrance. "Not Acadian Wolves though."
"What's going on with you tonight?" Dimitri asked.
"Just a little preoccupied is all. I'm looking for a certain vampire."
"Leo? I think he and Laryssa went to France."
"Not Leo. Quintus."
"Quintus Tullius?"
"The one and only."
"Yeah, I heard he was coming." Dimitri caught Jake's look of irritation and gave a grin. "What? You know I'm his beta. Logan told me this morning. Guess we've got another vamp in town for this shindig. Jax was the one who called though. I'm sure it's fine if Logan okayed it. Kade must know. He's responsible for him."
"I'm sure he does. But I'm also sure that Kade doesn't control him. This dude. He's not Leo."
"So I've heard. But for the record, it's not like Leo's easy-going. Far from it."
"Quintus is a friend of Jax. A very dangerous friend."
"I heard he's got a place down here but he doesn't use it. I've only seen him once. It was a long time ago. Marcel was Alpha at the time. Leo's mentioned him a few times since things went down with y'all in New York. I take it he's got some business here?"
"Be careful, D. He's old. Powerful. Does stuff Kade can't do. Think more like a radioactive Leo. He does the disappearing act. Got all the vamp tricks down." Jake recalled how the vampire had nearly strangled him to death in his underground Central Park club. "Quintus is one bad motherfucker."
"Hey, I have no quarrel with him. Logan said be cordial, so cordial I'll be. There's a few out-of-town vamps attending tonight. The pack knows they're here but not by name."
"Just avoid him if you can, okay?"
"Jake, I know you got a mask on but I can see that fire in your eyes. What do you have planned?"
"Some things went down last night. That's all I can say. I haven't told Logan yet, so keep it quiet. It's just a matter of time before this shit explodes, but I need to do this on my own. This is my business. I don't want the pack hurt."
"You're sounding more and more like Logan every day."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Just sayin'. You've always been a leader. Sometimes this is the natural path." Dimitri nodded.
"Goddammit. What did Logan tell you?" Jake's jaw ticked, his stress rising. Does the whole damn pack know? He hadn't told anyone about his conversation with Jax.