I’d noticed people disappearing through curtains at the back of the establishment in a steady stream. “No problem. And it’s nice to meet you. Leroy, right?”
He crossed his arms, drawing my attention to his biceps. “Back at you. I wish I could say I’m sorry for stealing your cap, but if it landed you on this stage, I can’t bring myself to regret it.”
What did Mandy say? Alphas were charismatic players? A hundred percent yes. “Noted,” I replied drily. “I’ll stop referring to you as Dimples in my head.”
Leroy’s gaze narrowed. “You started that?”
“Hmm, what?”
He snorted. “We’ll get along just fine. Listen, I usually manage the back room, but I’m covering for another manager tonight. Let’s call it a night. You played beautifully, and judging by the way people are spending, you’ll be a great addition to The Dens.”
Fucking hoped so.
“Good to hear. If I can have a few minutes to deal with my boyfriend, I’ll be ready for the tour with Alarick.”
“But will he?”
“What?”
“I’ll get the boss.”
Not what he said, but I had another problem on my hands.
Leroy left, and my hands shook as I dissembled my sax, twisting off the mouthpiece and tilting it so my saliva didn’t drip out—the gross part of wind instruments.
How dare Logan come here and cause a scene. I’d promised Alarick professionalism, and within hours of starting, Logan caused drama.
Zipping my case, I grabbed the water, and smiled at those praising my playing as I strode toward the bar.
The seats either side of Logan were empty. Couldn’t blame the patrons—he radiated rage, though freakin’ handsome in a white shirt and black trousers.
I set my case and water on the bar, rolling my shoulders to relieve the ache. “Logan.”
He finished his drink, placing the glass down with too much force. “Andie.”
“Any particular reason you thought storming into my place of work was appropriate?”
His temper didn’t scare me.
He stood, and I tilted my gaze up, unafraid. Yeah, that shit didn’t scare me either.
“I just drove nine hours to talk things over. I get to your place and you’re not in on a Saturday night. Then I hear you playing, come in here, and see a room filled with horny men watching you play music in that scrap of a dress.”
There were so many insults in that remark that I simply ignored them all. “Would I burst into your workplace like this, Logan?”
His gaze narrowed.
Jesus, what did I say about emotion being a foreign language?
I folded my arms. “Is it possible you’re still angry after our phone call last night?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Lower your voice. This is my workplace,” I said, drawing to my full height. I dug through my purse. “Here are my keys. I’ll be back at the apartment in an hour. We’ll talk there.”
His face hardened. “You’re telling me to go away after I came all the way to see you?”
So dramatic. “You know what I would have loved, Lo? Is to see you again after our time apart. I don’t appreciate the way you’re behaving. It has ruined that surprise for me. I’m aware that you’re upset. You don’t need to be a dick.”
His fingers closed tight around the keys, but he sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Fuck, okay. I messed this up. The way they were staring at you though. How the hell is this going to work?”
I pressed my body against his and looped my hands around his neck. “It works if we want it to. That’s how.”
His gaze hooded. “Want?”
Logan pressed a hand into the small of my back, and I smirked at the rigid outline of his erection against my stomach.
“Been a few days?” I moved my hips, biting his lower lip.
“You could say that.” He captured my mouth in a bruising kiss, three quarters arousal and a quarter anger—not a mix I minded by any stretch of the imagination.
I broke away. “I’ll see you in an hour.”
“Will the wait be worth my while?”
I trailed a finger over my collarbone, raking my gaze over his body. “I’m surprised you have to ask.”
He reached for me, and I evaded his arms, snagging my case as I set off to find Alarick.
A bouncer stood in front of the staff door.
“Hey, I’m Andie. Is Alarick around? He’s giving me a tour.”
The bouncer didn’t get a chance to answer. The door at his back opened to reveal the devil himself. He’d returned to his usual quiet demeanour, and I decided not to question him about what happened earlier. I hated people up in my business.
Alarick stopped in front of me. “Sorry about earlier. I received some bad news.”
Well, that was a lie. But whatever. “Not a problem. Leroy said you wanted to give me a tour.”
His eyes shifted to the bar before fixing on me.
“Yes, but I wanted to say your playing was absolutely exquisite. The sound you create matches the vision you present.”
Heat crept into my cheeks. The bouncer was staring studiously ahead.
“Thanks.” Did he just call me absolutely exquisite?
“This way, please.”
We walked toward the back and his hand splayed across my lower back twice as we navigated between the couches and thick crowd, leaving a scalding warmth behind.
I shifted farther from Alarick, holding my case handle in both hands.
“Can I take that for you? It looks heavy?”
“More cumbersome than anything.” My shoulders were sore, but this was my baby.
“I’m sure I can manage. You keep rolling your shoulders.”
That level of observation stunned me into looking up. “Part of playing. Nothing I’m unused to.”
“Even so, I can carry it for you.”
I tightened my grip. “I’m fine, thanks.”
Alarick paused, jaw clenching. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”
“I just like to hold it.”
His honey eyes were so much. I might not like the way they turned me inside out, but I could marvel at the dangerous chemistry between us.
Remind me to never get drunk at The Dens.
I tore my focus from him with no small amount of effort and studied the space we’d entered.
Tellers lined the walls on either side. People queued, waiting their turn with a member of staff behind the counter. Some held suitcases. Others carrier bags.
Some clutched stacks of colourful disks.
My mouth dried. Casino chips again.
“What is this place?” I asked hoarsely, cold dread filling me.
“This is where people exchange their chips for money,” Alarick answered, watching me closely.
My legs took over as I surged forward, bursting through to the next room.
The next huge room.
Filled with a green I’d hated since seven years old.
The money green covered the roulette and craps tables, the blackjack and poker tables, lending a uniformity to the crowded space that highlighted the flashing, gleaming pokie machines at the back.
Spend money you don’t have. Forsake those you love. Give control to your disease.
My sax fell from my grip.
The Dens.
Not a word to describe an exclusive bar or club.
This place was a gambling den.
9
I burst from The Dens into the cool night air. A fucking casino. That’s where I worked? After all my mother’s pain and the shitstorm it landed me in?
No fucking way!
A large hand wrapped around my upper arm as I reached the other side of the street. Alarick drew me to a halt but didn’t spin me around. He merely stood there as, with my back to his chest, I struggled to control my breathing.
A tear slipped down my cheek and I dashed it away.
“I assume you didn’t know the purp
ose of our establishment?” he asked softly.
Another tear. I brushed it off angrily.
“No.” I turned to him. “I thought it was a bar.”
“That was my error.” He sounded nearly heartbroken on my behalf. I wasn’t mad at him—beyond the fact I found casinos and everything about them and the people who ran them vile in every way. If I’d known this about Alarick, we never would have gotten past the busking conversation.
I put more distance between us. “It caught me off guard is all.”
Damn his eyes. They missed nothing. Not the extra space. Not my wet lashes.
I didn’t want him to see me like this. I scooted farther away, and he didn’t make a move to reach me.
My breath came easier.
“You don’t like casinos?”
Understatement of the century. “How long has this been here?”
“A year. Why?”
No reason. I just wanted him to stop looking at me for one second. “I need to go.”
His chest rose and fell, and he took a step toward me.
“I’m not going to hurt you,” Alarick said low, hands raised.
Ugh, I was taking everything out on him.
On my boss.
Though he wouldn’t be that for much longer.
I stared at the ground, “I can’t work for you, Alarick. I loved playing tonight, but I won’t have anything to do with casinos.”
For a moment, I’d felt like I had it all. That’s what made this extra shitty.
“Could you say goodbye to Mandy, Hairy, and Leroy for me?” My heart leaped into my throat as his gaze darkened.
“Will you stay in the valley?”
The desperate ring in his words reminded me of the last time I mentioned leaving. He didn’t even know me then—and really, he didn’t know me now.
I wrinkled my brows. “I don’t know. I probably need to go back.”
Maybe I could beg for my old job back. One fucking day. If I’d waited a single day to make that call, I wouldn’t be in this mess.
Fuck!
“To your boyfriend?”
“That’s none of your business.” My hands curled to fists.
The whole thing between us toed a line I didn’t want to walk. Alarick had to back off.
My anger didn’t intimidate him. “What if I want it to be my business?”
Whoa. He could not be reading the signs I was flashing at him right now because one read Casino Owners are Filth and the other read Fuck off. “That is inappropriate. I’m with someone and you’re my boss.”
“What if you only play in the bar and not the back room?”
I nearly stumbled with the change of subject. He closed the gap between us, and I slammed against the wall, hands spread by my sides.
“Hear me out. You’d have nothing to do with the casino side of the business,” Alarick pressed. “Music in the bar. Nothing more. Nothing less.”
I glared upward. “It’s not the point. I know that crap is there.”
“I’m not asking you to forget the casino. I’m asking you to compromise. We need you. I thought you needed us too.”
We were breathing hard.
With his head bent down, we were all but nose to nose. All I could see was honey. All I could smell was him, musk… something earthier.
No part of this—me against the wall, him in my face, our gasping bodies—made sense.
Why did he want me here so badly? And why did I want to stay?
Logan.
I lowered my chin, snapping the tension.
Alarick placed space between us this time. “I’ve frightened you.”
Not in the way he meant. His proximity was nothing. What I’d felt on the other hand…
“I’m sorry to disappoint you.” I swallowed hard. “You never intended this to happen. I never would have accepted the job if...” I knew you were destroying families.
To my reasoning, he should be anyway between pissed off and sympathetic, but a quick peek told me the casino owner seemed lost.
This was so messed up.
“Take tonight to think about it,” he urged, searching my gaze. “Trust me, regret lasts a lifetime. One night. Think things over.”
I straightened.
A night to think things over wouldn’t change my mind. But habit sure was a bitch. “I will.”
I cast one last look over the beautiful casino owner before weaving away in a daze.
How did this amazing night upend so fast? I’d felt invincible four hours ago.
I didn’t feel invincible now.
Tears stung my eyes, and I couldn’t summon the energy to worry about the people gawking and muttering.
Ugh, Logan was in the apartment. Seeing him was about the last thing I wanted right now.
Removing my heels, I walked along the river until the bitter turn of my life had blunted. By the time I knocked on the apartment door, the hour I’d promised was well and truly over.
Logan swung the door open. “About time, babe.”
He was shirtless, trousers open at the top. That was irresistible to me on a good day, let alone a bad day.
Maybe this night could end okay.
“Hello yourself,” I replied huskily.
A slow smile spread across my face as I dropped my heels at the door, sashaying inside. Back to him, I swept my ponytail aside and pushed the stretchy strapless dress down to my hips, unclipping my bra.
Cupping my breasts, I glanced over my shoulder.
He’d taken his erection in hand, grey eyes molten as he watched my little show.
I worked my hair tie out, letting my auburn hair slither free. A soft moan left my lips—totally planned, the sound drove him crazy.
Pushing the dress to the ground, I pivoted, stepping out of the red garment. Only my thong remained, black and simple. I refused to buy underwear secondhand, so it had to be cheap.
“Andie,” Logan breathed. “Come here.”
“Mmm?”
With a growl, he lurched forward and yanked me against his hard frame. My head tipped back. This was our strength.
Sex.
No talking.
Just mindless, incredible se—
“We need to talk.” He pulled back.
This isn’t happening.
I groaned, thumping my forehead against his chest. “Right this moment?”
“You’re easier to convince when you’re horny.”
True. A grumble left me. “Make it quick.”
I padded to a suitcase and kicked it open, pulling out a midriff sweater. If I wasn’t working toward orgasm, Logan couldn’t see my boobs.
“That’s mean,” he said in a deep voice.
I didn’t deny it, grabbing a blueberry muffin. “Shoot.”
“I want to try long distance. I’m not happy about it. I’m still pretty fucked off about your decision, really. But I love you, Andie, and I want to try.”
Wow.
The love bomb.
He’d never told me that… word… before.
“I love you,” he said again.
I forced a smile around my mouthful of blueberry muffin. “Oh. Since when?”
The words sounded just as lame out loud, and I winced, flushing.
Logan laughed. “The first time I tell a woman I love her, and she doesn’t say it back. Shit, Andie.”
I pulled a face. “Sorry. That’s a new one for me.”
He sauntered closer, kissing my forehead. “I’m not done convincing you, babe, so don’t worry. You’re not going anywhere.”
Okay, cool. Great. But now he’d dropped the love bomb, and I was suddenly thinking how much I only liked him.
Even after a year.
People usually loved each other after a year, right?
“Are you okay?” he asked.
I tipped my head back, scowling at the ceiling. Why’d he have to go and ruin things? “Just found out something shitty about work. It’s a casino.”
That’s why people flocke
d to Deception Valley. Not to some random bar in the middle of nowhere with really good drinks and hot staff. Not because of exceptional marketing. Outsiders came to gamble.
I understood better than most how far that allure could pull a person.
“Ah,” he said, taking a seat across from me.
“Ah what?” Logan didn’t know anything about my mother’s past.
His face worked. “Ragna’s problem.”
Problem?
Heat crept up my neck into my jaw. “What problem?”
“I came to pick you up early one day and saw an app open on her phone when she went to the bathroom.”
Clenching my jaw, I said, “When was this?”
He lifted a shoulder. “Just after we first started dating.”
Nearly a year ago? I burst to my feet. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
She’d eased back into gambling, betting more and more money in the last six months of her life. I could have hundreds of thousands of dollars less debt right now.
“Whoa, Andie. It wasn’t my place.”
I rounded on him. “Not your place? Not even to mention it?”
“I didn’t think anything of it.” He stood slowly. “I only remembered because someone mentioned the reason for the house sale.”
Ice spread through my chest. I would drive back to Queen’s Way and throat punch whoever was spreading fucking rumours. “And why is that exactly?”
Logan blanched, backing up. “Is it true? Because that’s a fucking shitty thing for her to dump on you, if so.”
I stalked after him. “What did you say to them?”
“That I had no idea. That I’d ask you. Why are you going off at me for this?”
He’d ask me? And then what? Go back and report to the town? Where was the fucking loyalty?
I laughed, gripping my hair tight. There was so much wrong between us. Why had I only realised it now?
“Baby—”
“No,” I said, raising my hands. “I’ve changed my mind about long distance. A clean break is best. You’re right. It never would have worked.”
“Are you fucking kidding me? You are not breaking up with me. This has nothing to do with us. It’s about your mother!”
I marched to the door, swinging it wide. “We’re not right for each other. This wasn’t much more than sex. You can get that with anyone, but there’s someone out there who can really make you happy.”
Shifter Wars: Supernatural Battle (Werewolf Dens Book 1) Page 10