“What’s up, little Green?” His brother came with him, standing just behind him. He was tall enough so he had a clear view of me, and he put his hand on Heath’s shoulder. “I didn’t know you knew my brother.”
I didn’t comment on that. It was what it was. I did note, “Guaranteed my presence here has already been called in, but you should still let him know yourself. He might have separate orders for my friends.”
He gave a nod, his face and eyes blank. Guarded.
Palma frowned. “Him who?”
We were getting looks. From the other door security, who mostly seemed like all-new recruits, but also from others in the bar area. A lot of them were with my housemates. If we kept talking, they’d start having questions.
No one responded to Palma.
“I’ll let everyone know who you are.” Heath’s brother was referring to the rest of Creighton’s men.
I sighed. “I’d rather you didn’t.”
He grimaced. “Have to. Sorry. Boss’s order is to take care of you first. Always. In case something happens, you’ll be protected.”
That was the last thing I wanted. To be treated like a princess piranha, in a school of one.
“Awesome. I need a drink.”
I wasn’t ready for my two worlds to implode against each other, but it seemed that’s exactly what was going to happen. I’d only taken three steps for the bar before Lassiter seemed to materialize out of nowhere.
He stopped. Stared at me.
I stopped. Stared at him.
I didn’t care about my housemates’ friends. I honestly didn’t, but I did care about my housemates, and Palma had waited for me. So had Marshall. Heath moved around me, going to the bar. He raised two fingers in the air for the bartender as he kept glancing over his shoulder to me. All of them were watching me, as was Lassiter.
Well. Crap. This was going to happen.
Lassiter drew closer. “He’s not here, so normally you’d be fine. Except—” He cringed, just a slight one, but I saw it, movement behind him. A second later, my name was being yelled. Loudly.
A giant-sized mastiff puppy in a human’s body was barreling my way.
There was no going back.
“Blake! Blakey. Blakester. Blake, where is she ...” The crowd parted, or to be more accurate, half of them were shoved out of the way as Levi pushed forward. His eyes lit up, seeing me, and a wide smile took up half of his giant face. “Blake!”
Lassiter took a step to the side just as Levi closed the distance, almost not seeing him. He picked me up and twirled me around. “Blakester. Blake. You’re here. You came to one of our events, willingly.” He was bursting with excitement. And he was still twirling me.
I patted his shoulder. “Put me down, big guy.”
He did, but he took my hands, and we were going in circles still. He danced around with me. This big giant of a man was dancing, and he was beaming. He was so happy.
I melted.
Even Lassiter was trying to hide a grin but couldn’t. As Levi stopped pulling me in circles, he shook his head. “I’ll have them clear out the top loft for your group. Drinks are on us—”
I stopped him, my hand on his arm. “That’s not necessary.”
The corner of his mouth lifted up in a rueful grin. “Okay, but girls are drinking free tonight. It’s a part of the whole promotion. Free drinks bring girls. Girls bring guys. We want more guys here for the fights. Means more bets. Means more money. So, sorry, but that means free drinks for girls.”
Palma was close. Marsh came over from hearing the commotion. Heath remained at the bar, and it looked as if he had no intention of leaving before he got another two drinks.
I dipped my head down. “That’s fine. I’ll—”
Levi wrapped an arm around my back, tugging me against his side, and turned us to face Palma and the rest. “Introduce me to your friends. I’ve been dying to meet them. I’m Levi.” He clasped me against his side tighter, bouncing me. His chest puffed out. “Blake’s brother—”
