Death Wish (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #5)(10)

Sipping a whiskey on the rocks, I watched the activity from my favorite table while pondering the events of my evening so far. The business card with Juliet’s fake name on it burned a hole in my pocket. The urge to pull it out was strong; I just couldn’t stop thinking about our reunion. It was surreal.

The dimly lit booth was positioned perfectly to allow me a clear view of the entire club as well as both entrances. It was also far enough away from the dance floor and stage to provide the illusion of a laid-back setting.

“I can’t believe I let you talk me into this.” Jez pursed her ruby red lips and eyed the front entrance. “I’m still pissed.”

I shoved my nagging thoughts of Juliet aside and focused on the angry leopard sitting across from me. “You have every right to be pissed. But, how long do you plan to drag this out? Either forgive him or cut ties with him completely. It’s not fair to torture Kale like this.”

Jez frowned and twirled the little umbrella in her drink. Her long, golden hair fell in wild curls down her back. With piercing green eyes, she shot me a dirty look. Jez was the only naturally born Were I knew; our usual sterility made children near impossible.

“I haven’t even begun to torture Kale,” she scoffed. “It’s the least he deserves after what he did to me.”

I sighed, nodding in agreement. I understood where her anger stemmed from. Kale was one of few people Jez truly trusted, but he’d blown that trust to hell. Kale had recently returned to his old killing ways. Unable to control himself, his bloodlust had targeted Jez.

“You don’t have to do this, but you have to do something.” I glanced at the door as a trickle of anxiety crept over me. Jez wasn’t the only one nervous about Kale’s arrival.

The scowl on Jez’s pretty face looked out of place. A sultry smirk was more her style. “If he’s late, I’m out of here.”

I shook my head but didn’t bother replying. She just wanted to be snarky; we both knew damn well Kale wouldn’t be late.

Butterflies took flight in my stomach as my anxiety shifted from one thing to another. I looked back and forth between the front entry and the doorway at the rear that led into the back hall. Lined with private rooms, the back hall was where vampires took their willing victims for some fun and games.

“Why are you so nervous?” Her green eyes narrowed, and she watched me speculatively while sipping from her pink cocktail. “You know he’ll try to f**k you before he kills you. Me… I don’t stand a chance.”

Frowning, I shook my head and leaned back in my chair. “Not cool, dude.”

“Sorry.” She shrugged but offered no real sense of apology. “It’s true though. You guys have a weird relationship. So complicated.”

I clutched my glass, seeking false comfort. My original intention had been never to drink at The Wicked Kiss. So much for that.

My nerves were getting to me; I was freaked out not just by Kale’s impending arrival nor even the hit out on me. I felt Shaz here, too, yet he was nowhere to be seen. Which could only mean one thing: he was lost in the role of blood whore. Again.

Things had gotten disturbingly twisted between me and my wolf mate in recent weeks. We had both made mistakes that apologies and regrets would not fix. Shaz and I had been through a lot together. We had known each other for years, since we were new wolves adjusting to life with a dual nature. So much had changed since then.

Nausea caused my stomach to turn at the thought of Shaz offering himself to a vampire. He got off on the rush. I knew firsthand how powerful it was. Most certainly addictive. One look around the place made that obvious. Because it was Shaz, his obsession was that much harder to swallow. I was the only reason that he’d ever experienced the wild ride of the vampire’s thrall, and I blamed myself.

Jez leaned across the table to touch the back of my hand lightly. “Don’t go getting all drunk on me now. I need you to fight Kale off if he’s developed a taste for leopard.”

Her gentle touch was a friendly gesture of support. I didn’t have to give words to my emotions. I appreciated her attempt at humor and forced a strained smile.

I stared into the golden whiskey. Lovely poison. I drank more often than I should, and though it didn’t affect me the way it did humans, it was still a source of escape. Of course, I’d much rather be losing myself in the promise of ecstasy found only in the kill. Tonight, whiskey would have to do.

Minutes before midnight, Kale swept through the front entry. With the grace and presence that five centuries had gifted him, he sauntered toward us. Dressed head to toe in black, complete with his trademark leather duster, he was painfully alluring. More than one human female sought his company as he made his way through the club.

I struggled not to choke on my whiskey when his sugary sweet energy reached me. “See, Jez. I told you he wouldn’t be late.”

Kale reached our booth and immediately slid onto my side, across from Jez. I pressed myself farther into the corner than was necessary, feeling awkward and nervous.

“Hello, ladies.” Kale’s gaze slid over me, lingering for just a moment before turning to Jez. No matter how many times I looked into his mismatched eyes, I was always enamored. The right one brown and the left a startling blue, heterochromia had endowed him with an eerily beautiful feature.

“You’re anxious tonight, Alexa.” Kale observed. “It’s enticing.”