“Reconnaissance,” I said.
“Here? You think one of us, one of Lucien’s, was behind the attack?” His tone relayed his doubt.
I debated not telling him anything. Obviously, I couldn’t trust him, but I needed answers so I settled on a little snippet. “Not one of Lucien’s.”
“Only Lucien’s horde is permitted to enter any of the vamp bars unless escorted.”
Well damn. I wish I had known that.
“You think it was a rogue Vampire?”
“I don’t know,” I said, honestly. “Is there a horde visiting from out of town?”
Allan frowned. “There are Vampires visiting all the time.”
“Any with reason to harm Lucien or Clint?”
“They all want harm to come to those two. Vampires are territorial and competitive in nature. We want what another one has. It’s in our blood, if you pardon the expression. Lucien squashes attempts for his territory on a regular basis.” His eyes met mine. “Is that what you think is happening?”
“When I know for certain what’s going on and have the proof to back it up, I’ll report everything to Lucien.” Quick! Think of rivers and chirping birds in the forest. Need to shield my thoughts from Allan.
He laughed. “I could help you, you know.”
“This coming from the man who told me he looks forward to when I’ve been broken so he can scare the beejezus out of me and get off on it?”
Allan smirked. “I can separate my personal life from professional.”
“Riiight.”
He shrugged. “Have it your way.”
I don’t know what I would’ve said next, because the sight of a man with a predatory gleam in his eyes approaching us had me cursing instead. Allan quirked a brow and looked over his shoulder.
“Clint!” He welcomed the norm and made room for him to stand with us. “What a surprise.”
Clint nodded at the bartender and a drink was promptly placed in his hand. Looked like scotch or whiskey. He turned and looked me over. “Andrea.” He smiled. “There was no need for you to dress up for me.”
I rolled my eyes.
He continued to stare, running his eyes over my body. “I prefer you naked.”
My glass made a loud thunk as I slammed it on the bar. “And I’m done.”
Both men laughed.
“Good night, gentlemen,” I said.
“Four more days, Andy,” Clint called out to me. “Four more days.”
I flipped him the bird and stalked out of the club.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Four days left. And tonight was a total bust. My throat constricted. I rubbed the base of my neck and tried to get the troubled feeling to ease up. I didn’t want to be Clint’s. I didn’t want to be anyone’s possession. Never again.
When I stalked into Wick’s house, I threw my purse on the floor, and let a growl escape my lips in frustration. Braced with both hands on the edge of the nearest counter, I dropped my head and took several deep breaths in. And froze. The entranceway reeked of Werewolf. An alpha’s house acted as a constant revolving door for his pack, so smells of others always lingered, but this was different. Fresh. I walked around the corner and into the living room to find it occupied.
Wick and Ryan sat opposite of each other on the couches with numerous empty beer bottles on the coffee table between them. My nose crinkled at the sharp smell of alcohol in the air. Shifters and Weres had fast metabolisms, but if motivated enough, a supe could get drunk. Clearly, Wick and Ryan were very, very motivated.
Wick leaned back into the cushions and grinned at my entrance, but Ryan had the opposite reaction. His whole body tensed and his easy smile stiffened into a grimace. Despite his earlier guard duty, we hadn’t spoken since the day I seduced him to escape. He’d avoided any eye contact and attempts at conversation since. I couldn’t really blame him, either.
“Hi boys.” I went for casual, but the words came out high pitched and nervous. “Trying to get drunk?”
Wick’s smile spread across his gorgeous face. He took a slow sip from his bottle and eyed me over the rim as if he drank me instead of the cool amber fluid. A tingle ran up my thigh.
“Not anymore.” Ryan put his bottle down on the counter a little too hard. It made a loud thunk, spraying beer out onto his hand and the table. I would’ve laughed, but I’d done the exact same thing in the bar earlier, and Ryan hated my guts. Ryan stood up with an annoyed expression on his face. “See you later, Wick.”
“Good night.” Wick looked torn, his expression somewhere between sympathetic and amused, like he couldn’t decide how to feel or whose side to take.