Only Vampires Cry Blood (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #3)(52)

I’d been tempted to lie around at home and stare blankly at the TV. However, that was just too lame for words, and I refused to let Arys impact me on that level.

“It feels so good to have a night out,” Kylarai reached over to give my arm a squeeze. Her sweet smile was dazzling, and it was easy to see what drew Julian to her. If only he were actually worthy.

I didn’t realize I was holding my breath until the waitress returned with a tray laden with drinks. When she set three in front of me, I thought I was overdoing it until Arys walked through the door. Then, I almost choked in my rush to down one.

I ignored him, refusing to look at him. Instead, I focused on Ky as if his presence meant nothing. “You should go on a trip or something, Ky. You work so much. A holiday would be nice, wouldn’t it?”

Both Jez and Ky raised an eyebrow at me, expecting me to react somehow to the vampire’s arrival. Julian swigged from his beer with a nonchalance that he wasn’t smart enough to feign. He was clueless, as I preferred it.

I looked pointedly at Ky, encouraging her to continue the meaningless small talk.

She glanced at Arys where he lingered near the door, then back to me with a small shrug.

“Yeah, I’d love to take a trip to Maui. Every time I think about going, I find an excuse not to.”

Even though I wasn't looking at him, my full attention was on Arys. Julian made a comment to Kylarai about how she was a workaholic, but I could barely follow.

Arys’ presence hurt me in a physical way, the kind of pain that came with the sting of betrayal and abandonment. In my peripheral vision, I saw him look my way before heading over to the usual table where his card-playing buddies always sat. Of course, it had to be directly in my line of vision.

He pulled out his wallet and tossed a handful of bills down on the table. As the appointed dealer dealt him some cards, he made a show of looking them over carefully.

Then, he looked up at me.

I told myself to look away, avoid those blue eyes so they couldn't pull me in.

However, this was Arys, and if there was one thing I couldn't do, it was deny the way I reacted to him. He was part of me now. It took all the strength that I possessed to stop myself from going to him and throwing myself in his arms. Since I couldn’t slap my own face the way I wanted to without looking absolutely insane, I tossed back some more whiskey.

His stare was heavy, forcing my eyes to his. I slammed my glass down in frustration, causing some liquor to splash out onto the back of my hand. Arys watched as I raised my hand to my lips and slowly gave the splash a lick. What was I doing?

A slight smirk adorned his face, and he winked before looking back at his cards. The conversation at my table had continued, and I shook my head, trying to focus on what they were saying.

Who the hell did Arys think he was to walk in here as if nothing had happened? I could still see the visuals in my head, the things he’d shown me. The women he’d killed, getting off on their pain and their begging. I was riled, filled with both anger and jealousy.

“So then she calls me and says that she forgives him after all and wants to change her mind about the entire divorce.” Kylarai’s laugh drew me out of myself. “I mean, that’s her business, but she’s still getting a bill for my wasted time.”

“How the hell can she just up and forgive him after what he did to her?” Jez’ reply was laced with bitterness. She gave me a look that wasn’t lost on me.

“I don’t know.” Ky shook her head almost sadly. “It’s sad what some women will put up with in the name of love.”

I’d heard Kylarai talk about her profession as a divorce lawyer plenty of times. Yet, I couldn’t help but feel she’d brought up this particular story on purpose. And, Jez was doing her best to hammer it home. Yeah, I got it: Arys was an ass that deserved my drink in his face. I didn’t need to be told that, did I?

I threw back my drinks so fast that the alcohol seemed to hit my bloodstream all at once. The warm glow that enveloped me was false security, but I clung to it. Ordering another double whiskey, I shoved my chair back and announced that I was going to the ladies’ room.

“Oh no, you don’t.” Jez all but jumped to her feet. “I’m coming with you.”

I had to pass Arys’ table to get to the ladies’ room. I was a little surprised at her strong reaction. In my defense, I really did need to pee.

I detoured wide around Arys’ table, refusing to look at him as we went by. I could feel his eyes on me though, following me until I was out of sight. I was breathing hard by the time I shoved through the washroom door.

“Fuck, Jez! Fuck.” I didn’t know what else to say. I went to a stall and found myself grateful to be locked in the little metal box alone.

“It could only happen to you, Alexa,” came her reply from the other side.

“I don’t know what to do. Can you believe I want to sneak out the back way so I can avoid him?”

“Fuck that. You are not pu**ying out. What you should do is play him. Make him sorry he f**ked with you.”

“Did he though? Because I keep feeling like this is all my fault.”

When I emerged from the stall and went to the sink, I found Jez’ reflection glaring at me in the mirror as she touched up her makeup. I used washing my hands as a means to ignore her judgment.

“How is it your fault that he is so insecure that he won’t allow you to get the help that you need? And, now he’s f**king around with the same person he wanted you to stay away from. Don’t make me shake you, lady. You are not the one in the wrong here.”