Shortly after everyone had ordered from the menu and we’d stuffed ourselves with dinner, Austin turned the lights down and the room quieted. Reno, Wheeler, and Trevor had taken their posts outside. Ben’s wolf slept near the bar close to Lynn, who had refused to sleep in one of the chairs even though there were enough. My guess was she wanted to have the first shot if someone barged in the room. She was a loving mother and a gentle woman, but there was nothing she wouldn’t do to protect her family. Especially after having lost her oldest child, Wes, in what she later discovered was not a senseless accident but a murder.
After Maizy brushed her teeth and changed into her nightgown, Lynn put on an old musical and lowered the volume. Denver had scooted a chair in front of Maizy to create a bed, and once she’d fallen asleep watching the movie, he draped a small blanket over her. He chose a spot behind her chair, knees up, facing the door.
“Is she still asleep?” I whispered to Jericho, tucking a pillow beneath my right arm. Izzy and Jericho were on the couch opposite me—Izzy lying on her side and facing away with her head in his lap. Her hormones were all over the place, and she’d flung the blanket onto the floor earlier, complaining it was too hot.
Jericho continued stroking her hair, his head reclined back and legs stretched forward. “Out like a light. Why aren’t you sleeping?”
I didn’t have my dreamcatcher, that’s why. But I couldn’t tell Jericho that. My grandfather believed that if you allowed bad spirits to return to your dreams, you’d bring them into your waking life.
“I’m not sleepy,” I finally replied. “It’s nice and quiet in here. I thought we’d be able to hear all that music outside.”
“Places like this drop a lot of cash to soundproof the hell out of these walls,” he said. “High-tech shit. I’ve worked a few gigs in upscale clubs, but it’s not my scene. They’re not into live bands anyhow.”
He reached up and held the bear claw that hung from his necklace, turning it between his fingers. It’s something he wore almost all the time—a token from his enemy.
“So what was it like in Lorenzo’s pack? Does he sit in that chair all day like a king in a court?” Jericho asked, still looking at his necklace.
“He’s a headstrong Packmaster, but not entirely unbending.”
Jericho swept his long hair back. “Yeah, I’m sure he rules with a velvet glove. He once killed two of his packmates for disobedience and placed them on our doorstep. One of them had only chased Lexi up a tree, so you can save the song and dance about how he’s got a heart of gold.”
“Perhaps there is more to the story than you know.”
“No, I’m pretty sure that’s it. Lorenzo is a tyrant who gets what he wants. He doesn’t care about his pack; he just craves power.”
“Lorenzo cares more about his pack than he lets on. Sometimes you have to rule with a tight rein or else the men will run wild.”
He cocked his head to the side. “You’re defending him?”
“No, I just—”
“I’m glad he had the good sense to take you in and heal you up, although I’m sure he had an ulterior motive. We make nice because that’s what we’re ordered to do, but that man is incapable of love or compassion. His pack will turn on him one of these days, if not one of those bitches he takes to bed. I hear he’s got a revolving door in his bedroom. Don’t even think about warming up to him, Ivy. You have more sense than that. Austin would put his life on the line for any one of us. Lorenzo? That asshole will throw anyone under the bus to save his ass.”
I pulled my braid out from beneath my shirt and hung it over my left shoulder. Jericho yawned and closed his eyes, so I stood up with the help of my cane and decided not to argue the issue further.
Austin sleepily rubbed his eyes and leaned against the wall. We both lingered by the door, facing each other.
“I can’t just sit here,” I whispered. “I need to get in touch with Fox. I’m worried about what he’ll do.”
“Let’s wait for Reno’s contact to get back with him. Once we find out the location of the boy, we’ll make our next move. If Fox has him, then attacking him would put your son in danger. Let’s keep a cool head.”
“Then let me go talk to Reno and see if he has news. We need to speed this up or else I’m going to have to make a decision I don’t want to.”
He reached up and unlocked the door. “Keep in sight and don’t leave the club. You’re safe as long as you’re inside.”
“I might be young, but I’m not foolish. Is there anything you want me to bring back from the bar?”
He patted down his dark hair and stretched. “We need some snacks in here. Have the bartender give us a box of peanuts or something. He can put it on my tab. I don’t want food constantly running back here. We need to keep visitors to a minimum and the door closed.”
“I’ll take care of it.”
“Bring me some Jell-O,” Denver said from his spot on the floor. “Trust me, they always have Jell-O.”
“Would you like it in a navel or a cup?”
He snorted and shook his head. “Ivy, you’re a real gem.” Something flickered in his expression and his indigo eyes bored into mine. “I mean that.”