Freak Show (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #7)(4)

I glanced toward the door, knowing damn well Shaz’s wolf ears could hear our every word. Jez busied herself with the view, staring out the picture window at The Strip.

“Are you crazy?” I snapped, jerking my finger from his grasp. “We can’t just all jump into bed together, Arys. It doesn’t work that way. Besides, there can’t be any blood sharing with him around. None.”

Arys feigned a yawn, completely ignoring my irritation. “I’m not going to bleed your wolf, Alexa, but give him some credit. He’s stronger than you think. He wouldn’t be here if he wasn’t.”

I joined Jez at the window, watching the traffic down below. The city was a maze of lights as far as the eye could see. The Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas stood bright against the skyline.

“I’m so sorry,” Jez whispered, reaching to touch my hand. “I shouldn’t have assumed anything.”

“No worries. It’s not your fault. It’s my mess.”

“Wanna go back downstairs to drink and gamble? It’s not even dawn yet.”

“No way,” Arys cut in. “You can’t go running around the hotel without me. It’s not safe.”

My temper flared, and I pinned him with a deadly glare. The angry energy spilled from me. I had to make a conscious effort not to slap him with it. “Don’t start with that shit,” I warned, a growl lacing my words. “I didn’t come here to argue with you. I came for a good time with people I love. Don’t ruin it.”

“I won’t let you put yourself in danger.” Arys was noncommittal, refusing to argue. He held up his hands as if to say he was done and that was the final word.

“Then come with us,” I said. “There’s not a big sunlight risk inside the casino.”

“And on that note,” Jez announced, “I’m going to go to my room and unpack a few things.”

Storming from the living room, I rounded the corner to the bathroom where I splashed some cold water on my face and checked my cell phone for messages. There was a text from Kylarai making sure we’d made it safely. While I typed a quick reply, I sat on the edge of the tub, fuming.

I wasn’t really pissed at Arys but myself. I’d created the situation with Shaz that made me insecure, and I’d secured so much power that I couldn’t even step into a city far from home without trouble from a damn vampire.

Being angry was easier than being afraid, and I realized I was scared, dammit. The last time I’d encountered Harley’s vampires, a dear friend had died, and I’d had to fight to prove I was a force to be reckoned with. I wasn’t sure I could do that here in their home territory.

Returning to the sink, I ran my fingers through my hair and took a few deep breaths. This trip was about having fun. I would not allow either Arys or his Vegas vampire family to ruin it for me. I was going to have a good time, goddammit, even if it killed me. Which it just might.

When I opened the door, Arys was standing in the hall waiting for me. He held out a glass of whiskey, which I gratefully accepted. What could I say? He knew me well.

“Sorry for being an ass**le,” he said, pulling me close for a soft kiss. “You can take care of yourself. I know that. It’s just…Jenner doesn’t make empty threats. And he isn’t going to let us out of this city without rubbing my nose in the fact that he’s taken over Harley’s business. I’m sure he’s going to want a look at you.”

“Of course.” I sipped the whiskey and made a face. “I’m really sick of Harley’s vampires looking at me like I’m some kind of f**king carnival prize.”

“They won’t. Not for long anyway. Jenner won’t take it too far. He doesn’t have a personal stake in my connection to you the way Harley did. His biggest concern will be keeping us from taking what is rightfully ours.” Arys held me tight, his embrace possessive.

I pulled back to look into his eyes. “Please tell me that’s not why you came here.”

“It’s not. Not really.” Arys smirked, and I knew he was up to something. “I might let him think so though.”

I groaned and pushed a lock of long, ash-blonde hair back from my face. “I don’t like the sound of that. We need to keep the peace while we’re here. There’s enough trouble waiting for us at home.”

My gaze fell to the black dragon on my forearm. The demon mark ensured I could always be found by the demon that left it there. If I wanted to stay sane, having a few days away from Shya and his ridiculous demands was essential. I wasn’t keen on filling the void with vampire politics and power struggles.

“Don’t worry about anything. You want to go gamble with Jez? Go for it. I’ll take the pup and do a little recon.” Wrapping his hand gently around my forearm to cover the demon mark, Arys guided me back to the living room.

Jez was shoving my shoulder bag at me before I could change my mind. “We won’t be gone long,” I called to the guys as she dragged me toward the door. “Stay out of trouble. I mean it, Arys.”

His laughter followed me out, and I frowned. Maybe I was paranoid, but I never felt good about leaving the two of them alone together. His sudden willingness to let me wander off without him smacked of some suspicious, clandestine activity, but I wasn’t about to question it. Not yet.

“They’ll be fine,” Jez admonished, catching me staring back at the closed hotel door. “They’re grown men. And then some. I’m willing to bet we find more trouble than they do.”