Shepherd dropped his cigarette butt into an empty soda can. “I can play the world’s tiniest violin. Want to see?”
Wyatt gave him the finger and strode in front of his vending machine to admire the obscene display of overpriced snacks.
Christian rose to let Shepherd take over the computer. “Does that mean you have to pay for your own sweets?”
Wyatt patted the pocket of his jeans, which were baggy in the back. “I’ve got the master key, and the master doesn’t pay.”
Niko cleared his throat. “Gentlemen, by the hostile flares of energy in the room, I think we’ve been isolating ourselves for too long. I propose we venture out for ale and a game of darts.”
Shepherd turned a sharp eye toward Niko. “You playing, Mage?”
Niko offered a wry smile. “Perhaps with enough persuasion.”
I’d seen Niko throw darts. According to Keystone legend, he’s never once missed the bull’s-eye. That didn’t stop Shepherd from betting against him.
“I’m in,” I said, grateful for the diversion. I didn’t own a car, and the only times I’d gone out were to go relic hunting in the pawnshops.
This might be an insightful outing to see how devoted Christian was to the idea of exclusivity. Could he keep his hands off other women? Would I find him knocking boots with one of his old standbys in the private room? Maybe it would be better to find out sooner rather than later if he was a man of his word—before we got in too deep. I still guarded my heart, another reason I wasn’t eager to jump in the sack with my partner.
Sex complicates things.
Christian peeled off his shirt and rubbed a hand down his bare chest. “I’ll be in the shower. Care to join? I could use someone to loofah my arse.” He gave me a smug look.
Same old Christian.
He was a cocky bastard, and if he didn’t deliver a bad come-on now and again, people would suspect something was up.
I leaned against the doorjamb. “Maybe you should bathe in holy water instead. I’ve always wondered if that was a myth among Vampires.”
He brushed his body ever so slightly against mine as he moved past me. “Ladies first.”
I didn’t see him do it, but I could have sworn he touched my ass.
“I’m thinking about getting another machine for ice cream,” Wyatt said, pinching a few whiskers on his chin. His cheeks were still flushed from the hours of work that must have gone into polishing the damn machine and unpacking the food.
Shepherd stood up and cracked his knuckles. “Nobody’s got time for that. Give me a shout when everyone’s ready to go. I’ll drive.” He ran a hand over his head and stopped in front of Niko. “By the way, where are we going?”
Niko reclined his head as if considering. “Flavors. They have dartboards, should I feel inclined.”
“Works for me, buddy.” Shepherd clapped him on the shoulder and then headed out.
When Niko turned on his heel to follow, I snatched the sleeve of his thin shirt. “That’s where Gem’s going on her date. I don’t think it’s a good idea we crash her private party.”
“Nonsense, Raven. Flavors is a large club. I’m sure we won’t even run into each other.”
Chapter 2
Flavors was a swank club with colorful accent lights, trendy furniture, and pillars all along the main floor. Instead of wooden tables and tiny chairs, there was upholstered seating and square coffee tables. This place was more of a lounge since people didn’t come to dance. I hadn’t been with Keystone long enough to know all their favorite spots, but Flavors seemed to be a place they frequented. The energetic bartenders tossed bottles around and put on a real show, keeping the energy level up.
The game room toward the back of the building lacked the flashy atmosphere and felt more like a cozy bar. The dim lights were soothing, and nobody cared if you kicked up your feet and got a little rowdy. It had its own bar with one bartender, so it attracted a different kind of crowd—the type who played billiards on the other side of the partition to get away from the noise. But the good thing about a place like Flavors was it had a little something for everyone, and we were a diverse group.
By the time the waitress delivered our next round of drinks, I had acquired a nice buzz. Not enough to be officially drunk, but my coordination was all off, so naturally I thought playing darts against Shepherd was a brilliant idea.
“Ow!” a man growled, giving me a baleful look as he pulled my dart out of his shoulder. “Watch where you’re throwing, you bitch.” He looked liked he belonged in a 1970s rock band, and I was willing to bet he hadn’t washed his hair since then either.
I waved blithely. “My bad.”
Christian took the other dart from my hand and tapped the red plastic flight against my nose. “Have a seat before you poke the wrong person.”
A laugh tumbled out of my mouth. “I bet you hear that all the time.”
He held the dart between his teeth and slipped out of his jacket. Then he pushed up the sleeves of his cotton shirt like he meant business. Before I could blink, Christian tossed the dart over his shoulder with a quick jerk of his arm. Didn’t even look.
“Motherfucker!” The man I’d struck moments ago sprang from his chair, knocking it over. Christian’s dart protruded from between his shoulder blades.
Shepherd shoved him back in his seat. “Think again.”
I cracked a smile at Christian. “You missed.”
He arched an eyebrow. “Did I?”
Stumbling around a table, I abandoned Christian and Shepherd to join Niko, who was sitting alone. The waitress had cleared away our empty bottles and glasses.
“Don’t you want another beer?” I asked, noticing Niko was still nursing his first bottle.
He continued folding a napkin, eyes straight ahead. “I’m not thirsty.”
I plopped down in the chair across from him so I could keep an eye on the dart game. “You don’t drink beer because you’re thirsty; you drink to have fun.”
“Forgive my bluntness, but I think you need less fun.”
“I’m having a good time.”
“You were having a good time three drinks ago. People exceed their limit as a means to dull unwanted emotions, like insecurity or sadness. Sometimes they drink to forget. I’m perceptive, Raven. Your light flashes red whenever a Vampire walks by. You’ll have to get used to being around them sooner or later.”
Niko had a gift of reading energy that was sometimes intrusive.
“I’m not an alcoholic. I only drink when we go out.”
He inclined his head. “That’s my point. You aren’t the type who requires a social lubricant, so one has to ponder why you’re not comfortable in a Breed place sober.”