With bated breath, I watched in hopes that he would capitulate and relinquish his claim.
Instead, Henry shucked off his grey suit jacket and draped it across a chair.“Something tells me you’re bluffing.You wanna go, Chitah?Let’s go.Come on.Don’t start something you can’t finish.”
“Take it outside!”Calvin thundered from the bar.“Already had to replace three tables this month.”
Chairs scraped against the floor as a throng of people shouldered their way through the main entrance to the parking lot.
Lakota sidled up to Lucian and whispered angrily while shaking his head.
Lucian slowly pushed him back.“Don’t intervene.”
“You’re my family,” Lakota argued, his eyes misting.
My heart pounded with fear as this spiraled out of control.
Lucian pivoted as if scenting my anxiety and stalked toward me.He cradled my neck and landed a passionate kiss before wrapping his arms around me.“I need to do this, female.I promised to protect you.”
“I love you.”
He squeezed me tighter, and it carried more meaning than all the other times because it could be our last one.
“It’s not too late to change your mind,” I said quietly against his neck.“Nobody would judge.”
“I would.”He drew back, and tears clouded his eyes.“Nothing ever mattered this much to me.He’s extorting you.Even if you deny me, you’ll be free of him.That’s all I want for you.”
I flattened my hands on his shoulders and steeled myself.“You’re a worthy male, Lucian Cross.”
A proud look overcame him.
“No matter what happens, you willalwaysbe my male.”
His upper fangs punched out.Lucian’s purr couldn’t erase my anxiety, but I savored it for what could be our last moment together.
When I looked over my shoulder, I realized everyone had cleared out.
“Don’t make a mess out there, Chitah,” Calvin warned, his long grey hair touching the bar as he wiped it down.“Good luck.That guy’s an asshole and overcharges for his wine, so you’ll be doing us all a favor.”
Melody frantically sent a text message on her phone while Tak continued his intimidation tactics on Henry’s companion to keep him from intervening.
“Go on with your pack.I’ll keep an eye on him,” Calvin said.“Get over here, Mage.Unless you want to get blacklisted for life, grab the mop and start cleaning my floor.”
The bearded man reluctantly shouldered past Tak and joined Calvin at the bar.
We followed Lucian outside.Some customers had dispersed, which left much of the parking lot open.
Henry smoothed back his choppy hair and winked at me.“A kiss for luck?”
I leaned against a red car and crossed my arms.
“Ouch.That’s gotta hurt,” someone heckled.
Melody joined my side and blew out a nervous breath while Lucian stripped off his tank top.The clouds briefly broke, and a bright moon peered down at the two men circling each other.
Henry flashed first, but Lucian was swifter.Each man demonstrated his gifts to intimidate the other.
Feathery threads of electricity crackled from Henry’s fingertips.
Tak stood beside Lakota.“Have you ever seen Lucian flip his switch?”
