The lodge overlooked a large expanse of backyard.So large there were several rises and hillocks.In between these craggy increments, there was a flat plane of land.The last couple of days, he'd watched as workmen laid out decking on that land, upon which everybody was congregated now.Powerlines ran overhead, and even though the moon was shining brightly, the illumination was augmented by what seemed like thousands of strings of fairy lights.
If you were into that kind of thing, it was actually a pretty scene.Like something from a movie.
Especially when all the women in togas and the men in simple linen pants were taken into consideration.Throw in some flower necklaces and they could have been in Hawaii.
"Aloha," he said to himself with a low chuckle.
Crossing his feet at the ankle, he settled back into the chaise and people watched.It was, after all, what he did best.
The had to be over six hundred people here tonight, and he had to question why these guys had shown up when others hadn't.He classed the yellow toga-sporting ladies as being at the bottom of the ladder, but maybe there was a whole other ladder beneath that level too.
Pride politics looked complicated.
Rubbing his chin, he figured that was likely.The people here tonight were undoubtedly the Pride elite.He’d just miscalculated, that was all.
"Mind if I join you?"
Shawn jolted to attention, pissed at himself for failing to recognize someone's approach.He scowled into the semidarkness and recognized a yellow toga."I'm not sure if that's appropriate."
The low chuckle had him scowling."Appropriate?This has to be your first Triad party."
He scowled again, disliking the surety in the woman's voice.Rather than step away, she approached, and he recognized one of the women Ryan had introduced El to earlier.
"Marisa, I'm really not in the mood to talk."He knew he was being rude, but he spoke the truth.The last thing he wanted was to flirt with another woman.Firstly, because he wasn't interested.Secondly, because if El realized, she'd make his life hell.And she'd already done a pretty good job of that this week.
He really didn't need to stay in her bad books.
"It's probably a good job then that I don't want to talk.”
He sighed."Cut the euphemisms.I'm not interested."
Another soft chuckle.He grunted at the sound, wishing he could tell her to back the fuck off, but also realizing from his recent musings that the woman was actually quite important within the Pride’s elite.While he would like to think that she wasn't his problem, anything or anyone that was an issue for El or the Triad was an issue for him.
"Everyone is wondering what it is exactly you're here for?"the woman, Marisa, murmured softly.As she spoke, she slithered forward.Her soft slippers whispering silently against the wooden decking as she carried on moving closer to him.
"As far as you’re aware, I’m here with your leader and his Triad, so do you really think it's wise to continue like this?"
"So secretive," she whispered in what Shawn imagined was supposed to be a seductive tone.Her voice had dropped an octave, and at any other time of his life, he would have undoubtedly found the husky tone appealing.But he was El’s now, and she was his.It didn't matter that he couldn't do the whole gold line, crazy beams flaring from his goddamn eyes shit, she was his.
He'd gone past the point of waiting for her.Having believed that there was no hope in even doing that.Though she believed her father was completely uninterested in her, Shawn knew differently.The man was overprotective.And after Marc’s suppositions, he was starting to wonder if there was a reason for that.
Like Joseph had to appear uninterested for Annabel's benefit.
It was something that had been bugging him all day.Jeez, before then.Ever since they'd visited the house and Joseph had given Shawn the third degree.
There was definitely a reason for the strange behavior Joseph engaged in where El was concerned.
Rubbing his chin, contemplating more of El’s past than her present, he was brought back to earth with a bang when Marisa placed her hand on his knee.Gritting out, "What the fuck do think you're doing?"he demanded as he waited for a reply, but he could sense that he'd surprised her.
Either she wasn't used to rejection, or she'd never figured he'd reject her.
One thing he'd learned about the Pride already… they were a bunch of elitist assholes.All of them believing they were better than humans.
Shit, maybe they were.He sure as fuck couldn't turn into a lion at will.And again, he couldn't do the whole Geordie-Star Trek-with his eyes thing, but he was a damn good foot soldier.Had been an even better lieutenant.And was a fine bodyguard.
"There's no need to be so rude," Marisa spat, bristling and finally taking a step back.
"There's every reason," came a voice from the shadows.One that had him stiffening in response."When a man says no, that no is as strong as if a woman said it."
