Blonde & Blue (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #4)(30)

“Really? You’re leaving me with your baby? What did I do to earn that kind of trust? Never mind. Don’t answer that. I’ll try not to get involved in any street races I’m not sure I can win.” I winked and gave him a teasing smile.

“I’m going to assume you’re joking. And if you’re not, I don’t want to know about it.” With a grin, Kale accepted Ky’s keys from Jez and climbed into the driver’s seat of the Escalade.

The four of us piled into Kale’s car. The scent of leather and a cherry air freshener was faint but pleasant. The scent of blood clung to Zoey, and I had to open the window. I readjusted the seat and mirrors, catching a glimpse of Kylarai’s wide-eyed expression in the backseat.

“We’re going to The Wicked Kiss?” She didn’t sound happy. “Haven’t we had enough trouble for one night?”

I wouldn’t worry about Kylarai in a place like The Kiss. I knew she could hold her own without losing her mind. I didn’t want to take Zoey in there.

“Maybe we can just wait for Kale in the parking lot.” I made the suggestion, thinking it would be the safest plan.

“Well if we’re going there anyway, we might as well go in.” Jez was too busy checking her makeup in her compact mirror to see the dirty look I shot her.

Zoey seemed to know what I was thinking. She spoke up from the backseat, her voice low. “I’m sorry about all this. I f**king blew it tonight. I don’t know why I lost it like that.”

Well, I sure did. Because you’re the lunatic hybrid daughter of a man with questionable genes. I kept my mouth shut and thanked God that Zoey couldn’t read minds.

“It’s happened to every one of us at some point.” Jez turned in her seat to give Zoey a reassuring smile, and I cringed. Why was she encouraging this?

Keeping my mouth shut was evidently the best thing I could do right then. I drove to The Wicked Kiss with mounting dread. I didn’t mean to be negative, but experience had taught me that a night like this wasn’t bound to get any better.

“Let’s just go inside, sit and wait for Kale. It will be fine, Ky. I promise.” Who was I to make a stupid promise like that? Kale shouldn’t be long. As soon as he got to the club, I was going home.

“Yeah, it’ll be fine,” Jez chimed in. “Just be prepared to chase off several vamps offering you money for a little nip.”

“Are you serious?” Kylarai’s voice rose in pitch. “They’ll pay you for it?”

“Sometimes. They’ll do a lot of things. Of course, some people don’t care about the money. They’ll give it up for free because they get off on the rush.” Jez shrugged like it was no big deal.

Kylarai made a sound of disgust. Her opinion didn’t change any when we arrived. I was nervous about taking Zoey in there. Not only was she unpredictable, she stank like blood. Despite a wet wipe from Jez, she would still be a vampire magnet.

Shawn was working the lobby. He greeted me with the usual smile and ‘hello’ before his gaze fell on Zoey. I knew it. As if four Weres in a vampire bar wasn’t bad enough, she was going to draw too much attention. Hurry up, Kale.

I led the way to the dark corner behind the bar. Only one other table nearby was occupied. I didn’t know whether to scream in frustration or laugh with maniacal exasperation when I noticed the vampiress there openly feeding from the wrist of her male companion. Blood, public feeding and a senseless murder so far for the night. What next? A drunken dance floor sex orgy?

“Oh my.” Kylarai looked at the couple quickly before averting her gaze. If that was too much for her, she’d never be able to handle what really went on here. It wasn’t her world. I resented in many ways that it was mine, but I accepted it.

“This place looks like a riot.” The spark of mischief in Zoey’s eyes was alarming. Curiosity adorned her fine features as she surveyed the surroundings.

I glanced at my phone to check the time. How long did it take to dispose of a body? Too many things could happen here. Anxiety nagged me as I waited for something else to go wrong.

“Alexa?” A hand on my arm drew my attention to Jez. “Who’s the trashy broad hanging all over your man?”

“What?” I followed her gaze, expecting to find Arys with a blood whore again. A shock of platinum hair revealed otherwise.

Shaz was standing in a crowd near the dance floor. A tall, raven haired vampiress was draped all over him. With an arm hooked around his neck, she leaned in close as if whispering in his ear. Her actions weren’t casual or friendly. From where I stood, her intentions were pretty clear.

Adrenaline hit me so hard it took my breath away. I was shocked. I was also dumbfounded with jealousy. My body temperature spiked with my pounding pulse, and I felt faint. What the f**k?

“I don’t know who that is.” I tripped over my tongue as I tried to form words. “I mean, I recognize her from around here, but I don’t know who she is personally. And, I don’t know why she’s so touchy-feely with Shaz.” I knew that I didn’t friggin’ like it though.

“Well if I were you, I’d be doing some finding out. And, I wouldn’t be nice about it.” Jez was just speaking her mind, like always, but I don’t think she knew what an influence she was sometimes.

I wasn’t going to go raging over there like an irrational idiot. At least I wasn’t until I watched the tramp trail her hand down Shaz’ back to his jean-clad behind.