Jessa squeezed the lacquered table edge, casting a concerned look his way that pissed him off more. “I’m sure it’s for your own safety,” she murmured. “There have been changes at court, fae going missing, and a new enemy on the horizon. The Seelie king will only protect those in his purview.” Jess had always given a damn about what all those stuffed shirts thought and had never understood why he remained on the outskirts. Yet another reason why their relationship had been doomed to crash and burn from the beginning.
“That’s cute and all, but he’s sending cronies to interrupt our shows. He’s not only endangering our fans, but they’ve started picking fights with us too,” Liz interjected. The flat tone in her voice and the subtle aggression meant she’d switched to manager mode, the same way she got when working out details with venues to make sure they got the best deal possible. Before her, they’d managed but not well. Miscommunications, cancelled shows, and overbooking on a venue happened far too often when they’d been in charge. Liz, on the other hand, created a circuit of shows and established a real tour.
“Darling, do you think you’d last for a hot second at a real Court function? A snack like you would get devoured in a heartbeat.” Jessa grinned as condescension dripped from her words.
“You’d be surprised,” Liz responded, not backing down in the slightest. “I’ve survived this long being able to see you crazies and haven’t been offed yet.”
Kieran couldn’t help the pride warming his chest watching her go toe-to-toe with his ex-girlfriend. Her eyes glinted as she took a sip of coffee, projecting steel. The girl put on a tough as nails face, and even though she had her shakeups and might cry in the bathroom after a bad night when she thought no one heard, the woman was formidable. Trevor could take his advice and shove it up his ass.
“So, since we’ve pieced together Ky’s brother is attending this soiree, how about extending us an invite to this shindig?” Jett reached over, placing his hands on Jessa’s while he wheedled with her.
Jessa rolled her eyes. “Did you not hear me? It’s near impossible to get an invitation if you’re in good standing with the Court, and you lot are far from.”
Liz pursed her lips and placed her mug on the polished table. “Not an invitation to attend. However, a premiere event such as this would want top notch music, right? What better way to make it unforgettable than having Discord’s Desire play late at night once the party’s reached a raucous crescendo?”
A smile rolled onto Kieran’s face. They hopped on stage, played their sets, and looked pretty, but this girl, she spun them with a brilliance few could manage.
Jessa shook her head in response, the disbelief clear. “Where the hell did you find her, and how do I get one?” She met his gaze with a rueful grin.
“Funny enough,” Jett started, a telltale smirk on his face.
Kieran shot him a look at the same time Liz clapped a hand over his mouth.
“Well, I don’t suppose it could hurt to ask about entertainment,” Jessa said, giving Liz an arch look.
“You know we can put on a good show.” Jett winked, continuing to ooze sex appeal.
“I can attest,” Jessa said, honing her sensual gaze full force on Kieran. Heat burned in her dark eyes, but Kieran couldn’t even muster a spark of what used to exist between them. He caught Liz’s glance their way, furtive and unobtrusive, but she took notice nonetheless.
“I bet you say that to every boy in the lineup,” Kieran said, his tone dry. “If you can place a good word for us as entertainment, we’ll do a show at the café, free of charge.” While they were a mid-tier band in the human community, they’d gained quite the reputation amongst fae. Jessa would be an idiot to reject the feeding opportunity a show at her establishment would provide many of her patrons.
She placed a finger on her lips as she pretended to mull the offer over. “Don’t know, I might want an extra favor from you.” He knew what she had in mind—the same thing every succubus had on the brain twenty-four/seven.
“Sorry, sweetheart, not interested.” He didn’t bother indulging in her games. As he spoke, his gaze roamed over to Liz. Jessa caught the changed direction as well. The woman’s lips curled into a knowing smile, which sparked his shorter than ever temper.
“Well then, if you’re done taking up my time with your demands, I have a business to run.” Even though Jessa’s response remained calm and held a seductive note, her eyes flashed irritation as they met his. The girl hated getting denied, but Kieran wasn’t in the business of stroking egos, so she’d have to deal. “I’ll do what I can to get you a spot at this ball.”
Liz lifted her brows. “Ball? Like fancy frippery and formal dancing?”
“Poor dear,” Jessa said, shaking her head. “You’ve never been to Court before? You’ll have a delicious time.” The tip of her tongue swept over her upper lip suggestively.
“She’ll be more than fine.” Kieran delivered her a flat stare, daring her to try and threaten Liz.
Jett leaned over and gave Jessa a peck on the cheek, all sleek sophistication. “We’ll await your call, sweetheart. Good seeing you.”
“Later, Jess.” Kieran tossed a hand in the air after he dropped his empty mug onto the counter with a clink. Liz and Jett took the cue, doing the same before all three of them strode out of Perfect Percolation and into the gusty scorcher of a day. He cast one glance backward, but Jessa’s eyes weren’t probing him anymore. No, they were locked and loaded on Liz.
The second they stepped into the bright city streets and the door clicked shut, Jett passed over his pack of cigs and Kieran took one. He offered to Liz who shook her head, even though she gave it an extra-long stare. Chances were, midway through she’d steal a few drags from one of theirs. Not like he didn’t enjoy the visual of her lips wrapped around the cigarette. Every time it stoked his embers to imagine those lips on him behind closed doors.
“Slick maneuvering there, sweetheart,” he said as he lit the cigarette. They walked down the city street in the direction of the RV. “Jessa was ready to turn us out in the cold.”
“No thanks to you.” Jett shot him a glare. “Would it kill you to butter her up a little bit? She wants to jump your bones, and bad.”
Kieran shrugged, trying to not pay attention to Liz’s reaction. “We’ve been done for a long time, J. I’m not one to revisit the past.”
Jett mumbled something about taking one for the team as he sucked in his cigarette, letting out a stream of smoke with his breath. Might be easier if he faked it like the other guys, but he’d always broadcasted whatever he felt. Probably why goddamn Larsen remained ten steps ahead of him.
“I’m shocked you dated her in the first place,” Liz commented. “The woman’s got condescension on speed dial. How ever did both of your egos fit in the same room?” Her sarcasm came off dry and disarming as always, but the edge to her words made Jett’s eyes twinkle.
“Pop the claws away, Lizzie,” Jett said as he chain-smoked his cig. “She’s old news.”
“Don’t stop, darlin’. I’m loving this new jealous side to you,” Kieran teased, an impish smile on his face.
Liz punched him in the arm in response. “See, rockstar? Ego. Everything has to be about you.” They ambled down one of the bigger hills in the city until the lot they’d parked the RV in came into sight. The sweet scent of salt air from the sea and cinnamon from a nearby bakery mingled on the breezes, twirling strands of his hair and rippling the ends of his beat-up unbuttoned dress shirt.
Liz’s laugh echoed through the air as she responded to whatever Jett teased her about. The pair of them had grown as close as the woman let anyone in, yet last night she’d shared a closeness with him as they leaned on each other against the RV and stared at the stars. He’d give anything for more of those quiet moments with her, but seeing Jessa gave him a rude awakening. Their love had changed in a toxic way over time until Jessa had become a total stranger. A stream of smoke passed his lips as he exhaled.
A hand reached i
n front of him and plucked the cigarette from his fingers. This had happened so many times he didn’t even need to guess the culprit anymore.
“Smoke your own cig,” he muttered, giving her the side eye.
She flashed him one of those blinding grins filled with more wicked seductiveness than a succubus could muster. “Stolen smokes taste better. Besides, I’m protecting your lungs—got to keep your pipes functional, otherwise what use are you?”
Kieran snorted and reached over to pluck the smoke from her lips, his fingertips brushing across the smooth surface. The sensation sent a jolt through him, and the burning core inside him that thrived off of pleasure, pain, and passion rose to attention. “I’m fae, babe. We don’t get the sniffles, lung cancer, or any other human diseases.”
“If Kieran’s being a jerk, I’ll share, Lizzie.” Jett shook his head, smiling at their bickering. “After all, keeping our cranky boss at bay seems to be the best choice after watching the tongue lashing you gave Jessa back there.”
“Maybe I want a tongue lashing,” Kieran teased again, pushing the line as he continued to flirt with her, all the while knowing he should stop. Knowing Trevor was right and he’d cause complications and mess her life up. Like he’d ever listened to logic though. Kieran was the king of impulse, the prince of bad decisions, and destined for a long and lonely road ahead of him.
Yet even knowing what a bad idea pursuing her was, he couldn’t help how her sinful smile rolled through his veins like honey. Somewhere along the way, he’d become addicted to Liz and didn’t know how to quit.
Chapter Seven
The salt spray in the air hit her senses the moment they wandered to the planks of Fisherman’s Wharf. In the distance, waves came crashing to the shore with a hushed regularity, even though chatter buzzed from the surrounding crowds. Liz stretched her arms above her head as a crack rippled down her spine. The boys had finished their gig in one of the smaller venues in town, and in a few more days they would perform at one of the bigger stages in San Francisco before traveling to SoCal.
Unless Kieran’s brother put a wrench in those plans. To her relief, no mystery fae loitered around this venue doling out pints, nor had any threatening messages been left. However, a moment’s reprieve didn’t warrant letting her guard down.
Renn stopped in front of Hangman’s Bar, a place oozing slick and low key from the black fixtures to the hanging bulbs that cast a dim lighting throughout the place. Folks in here sipped at a pint or sat in close discussion along the two-seater tables lining the back wall.
Trevor raised a brow. “You sure you want to go here, Renny? I thought your style of joint had more glitter and platform heels.”
He shrugged, acting cavalier. “Figured a changeup would be nice.”
“Let’s call it the end of the world, because for once we’re not fighting over where we drink,” Jett said, taking the initiative as he strolled in through the door. Kieran watched Renn, giving credence to Liz’s suspicions. Renn wasn’t picking this place in the lineup due to some changed desires—from a safety standpoint, the bar consisted of tight corners, making it easily observable and much tamer than their average place. With Kieran’s brother after them and unknown fae popping out of the woodwork, the boys were getting more careful, meaning they also didn’t bring home tail from the concert tonight.
Liz entered the bar, breathing in the balsam and cigarette smoke from the folks lighting up in the joint. Renn wrinkled his nose upon entrance—the man hated cigarette smoke, which called out the bullshit he’d been peddling seconds before.
“Sure you’re digging this joint?” Kieran nudged Renn in the side and gave him a wink.
“Once I get to drinking, I won’t care,” Renn said as he stepped up to the bar.
“Once you get to drinking, you’ll start taking people’s cigarettes and stomping them to the ground,” Jett argued, pulling his own pack out and lighting one. Renn shot him daggers until Trevor and Kieran did the same. At that point, Renn turned his back to them, slapping his palms on the bar and delivering his annoyance straight to the bartender.
Liz scanned the place for an open table, but a motley assortment of couples and small groups filled the two seaters. Instead, she hopped up on one of the open barstools, claiming her seat before the guys did. Seeing as the bartender wasn’t a leggy female and cigarette smoke surrounded Renn, the satyr was coming across surlier than ever. The bartender switched attention off him as fast as possible.
“Pint of Guinness,” Liz ordered, giving the man a slick smile and pressing the bills onto the countertop. In seconds, she had the creamy pint in front of her, and she took the first sip, not waiting for the others to join in.
The smooth jazz jingle of a ringing phone went off, and Jett lifted his cell before receiving the call and walking out the door. Liz met Kieran’s eyes as they both watched him exit, assuming he thought the same thing. After all, Jessa wouldn’t be calling Liz, and she’d been rather salty with Kieran when they left. Not like she minded in the slightest. As much as she pretended the way Jessa prowled all over him didn’t bother her, she’d be bullshitting herself.
Kieran pulled a seat beside her and ordered a draft IPA from one of the local breweries in the area. “So, what’s to bet Jett’s out talking to Jessa?”
“Guaranteed. I’m just hoping this fae shindig won’t cut into your touring time at all. It’d be a bitch to reschedule all of those venues.” Liz stared into the depths of her Guinness. Trevor took the other seat beside her, shooting a dark look over to Kieran in the process. Great, he’d taken to babysitting now. Renn, on the other hand, grabbed himself a gin and tonic and made his way over to a table where three ladies sat chatting, all the strappy-shoe, college-tee sort he gunned for. Not like he was too discriminating. Hell, Renn took some luscious looking boys to bed too, so where his true desires lay was anyone’s guess.
“If we are invited, you should probably stay at the RV,” Kieran suggested. He pounded into his ale once the bartender placed it in front of him.
Liz frowned, her temper rearing up again. “I get that surrounded by dozens of fae who think I’m a snack won’t be the best position to be in, but use some logic here. You said he’d never do something public and this is going to be a spotlit affair. If he sends someone to the RV to mess up your shit, it’s me and my gun against whatever monsters he’s hurling my way.”
“He’s just afraid someone will whisk our booking manager away,” Trevor said after downing his shot of fireball. “You’re a hot commodity, sweetheart,” he said with the sugary drawl that charmed all the women.
“Who needs a boyfriend when I’ve got guys like you feeding my ego,” she said with a wink. With the other guys, she had no problem throwing charm their way. Flirting was compulsory for her, a fun way to slide along the surface and keep folks at a distance. However, Kieran was so blunt and direct their flirting grew incendiary, and fast. Every time she got a handle on her feelings around him, he’d spit vinegar or dive right into the subject she tried to avoid, and before long he’d gotten under her skin like no one else.
The swinging door drew her attention as Jett entered again, making a beeline for them. He lifted his phone as he approached. “We’re booked for tomorrow night. That was Jessa, coming through for us.” Jett placed a hand on Kieran’s shoulder, a few strands of his dark hair brushing over his forehead as he leaned in closer. “Your brother’s entourage will be in attendance as well, including your ex.”
“Jessa?” Liz asked, curiosity getting to the better of her.
Kieran’s brows furrowed at the mention of his ex. “No, my first girlfriend,” he said. His tone held such vitriol she had to wonder how the hell their relationship ended.
“Well, this has been an exciting stroll down memory lane,” Liz said, trying to keep the conversation light. “Asshole brother, bitchy ex-succubus, and now you’re telling me you’ve got another nightmare in your closet?”
Kieran lifted his pint to his lips and chugged, his Adam’s
apple bobbing with the motion. Within seconds, foam remained in the glass, which he slammed on the counter. “Goddamnit, I need a walk. Drinks aren’t cutting it tonight.”
Trevor nodded even though he lifted a finger to the bartender to order another shot. “If Misandria is going to be at your brother’s side, it’s guaranteed to get messy. I’m shocked he keeps her around with how off-kilter she is.”
“What better scapegoat?” Jett shrugged. “He can pin any of his slips on her and use her crazy as an offset to actions he might pull. Brilliant move if you ask me.”
Trevor snorted. “You were made for Court bullshitting, Jett.”
“And yet I chose to leave it behind for you lot. Apart from the occasional dribbles from those who deign to deal with an unaligned, I am just as cut off.” Jett delivered a flourished bow from where he stood. “You’re welcome.”
Kieran hopped up from his seat, his fingers skating across the surface of the bar as he brimmed with tension. “I’m hitting the docks. You guys’ll be here awhile, yeah?” Everyone’s gaze switched over to Renn who charmed the pants off three women at the same time.
Jett gave him a level look. “Yeah, we’ll be here.”
“Care to join?” he made the offer to Liz, ignoring Trevor’s damning looks. She prickled under the tension, knowing either way she’d be pissing someone off. While her body buzzed over the idea of getting alone with Kieran, the logical side of her knew how dangerous indulging would be. As wild and intense as the waves crashing to the shore.
“I’ve got a drink to finish,” she said, lifting her Guinness. Even though she went with the safe option, tightness squeezed her chest, the impulse begging her to ditch responsibility for once and indulge.
His expression darkened, but he turned around on his heel and threw a hand up as he headed for the door. “See you folks later.”
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