From Sanctum with Love (Masters and Mercenaries #10)(90)

He didn’t like the look of Kori in his brother’s arms. Even though he knew damn well Kori had zero interest in Jared physically, he didn’t like anyone holding her except him. He’d done this. He’d insisted she go out and dance and now she’d gotten hurt.

“Set her down on the couch and I’ll take a look at it.”

The minute Jared turned his back and started to settle her in, Kai switched the phone over and closed Mia’s bag.

Done. Finished. It was over.

The door came open again and Kai realized he’d managed it just in time. Chaos erupted as the entire crew seemed to file in.

Sarah rushed in, holding Kori’s shoes. Squirrel walked in with Brad. Mia and Case followed, a frown on Case’s face as Mia immediately went to Kori’s side.

Yep, that had been good timing on his part. He looked over and nodded Case’s way. The big guy breathed an obvious sigh of relief.

Kai quickly got the ice pack ready and went to look at his girl’s ankle. Maybe it was time to call it a night. All he had left now was the handoff and then he and Kori were home free.





CHAPTER TWELVE





Kori stood up and her ankle held. No doubt about it. She was never going to be the world’s most graceful dancer, and if she never had to see those damn heels again, it would be way too soon. She’d twisted it as she was dancing with Jared, who turned out to be an amazing dancer but not the most attentive of partners since he’d had his eyes on Sarah the whole time.

“Is it okay?” Kai glanced down as though he could see through to her bones. He’d been sweet and very gentle with her, but he hadn’t thought she’d done more than twisted it slightly.

It felt like he was right. She wasn’t sore after a couple of minutes with the ice pack. Well, her ankle wasn’t sore. The rest of her was deliciously, delightfully sore. “It’s all good, but I think I’m ready to head home.”

Kai had ordered everyone out so he could look her over. It was nice and quiet in the lounge now. She had to admit that if one was required to be in a nightclub, having a lounge and bathroom all to oneself was really the way to go. When the door closed, she couldn’t hear the thudding music from outside.

Kai leaned over and kissed her. “I’ll go and call us a taxi. Give me a few minutes, though. I need to talk to my brother and make sure everyone else has rides home if they want to go. Can you stay here? I won’t be long. And stay out of those shoes. I’ll carry you out myself.”

She nodded. Staying put seemed a good thing to do. “Did Mia get her purse?”

“Yes and yours is sitting on the bar. Do you need it?” He glanced over to where he’d placed her bag.

“I’m good.” She settled back down. She was ready to go home, get in PJs, and cuddle with her man. Nothing would be nicer than sleeping in Kai’s arms. It had only been a few days, but she was already worried about how she would sleep when he wasn’t there with her. Inevitably, he would want to stay at his own place when his brother cleared out.

Then they would have to figure out how to settle into their relationship. The last few days had been bliss, but all relationships inevitably moved past the flurry and excitement of those first couple of weeks. When Kai was back at his place and they were still working together and playing together, she would see where their relationship could go.

Of course the way Jared and Sarah had been arguing, there might be more than Kai at her place tonight. They were the reason Kai had ordered everyone out. Sarah had accused Jared of deliberately running off her two dance partners and Jared had shot back with a lecture on how dangerous it was to play around with men she didn’t know. He’d come damn close to calling her behavior promiscuous, which likely would have gotten him Sarah’s pump right in his balls.

They were probably making out somewhere.

Kai walked out and Kori took a deep breath and sat back. It hadn’t been the worst night ever and now she could relax.

The door came open and Mia slipped inside. “You okay?”

Kori smiled. “I’m fine, but I think we’re going to head home. This is not my scene.”

She preferred Sanctum, where she knew everyone and they all watched out for each other.

Mia nodded and sank down beside her. “That’s what Kai told Case. They went off somewhere. I guess Case had something to say to Kai.”

“What’s wrong? Did you not have fun with Case?” Kori was watching her and she didn’t look like a woman who was happy with the way her evening had gone. It surprised her since when they were out on the dance floor, Mia had clung to Case and her eyes had lit up.

“I think someone went through my purse. Did you need something in there? It’s totally cool if you did. I just want to make sure it was you.”

“No, I didn’t touch it except to pass it off to Kai. I’m sorry. I know I said I would look after it, but Jared was kind of insistent on dancing.”

“It’s okay.” She pulled out her phone. “It’s weird though. It says I put the security code in ten minutes ago. I haven’t touched it all night.”

“Phones keep track of that stuff?” She mostly played Candy Crush on hers. She didn’t even realize they had security codes. Not that she would put one in. If someone wanted to play Candy Crush that badly, she would let them.