Cass rubbed her forehead and, in a weary tone, gritted out, “I can drive.”
“No, you can’t,” Isa shot back. “That thing you call a car is barely functioning.”
Cass dropped her hand, folded her arms, and glared at Isa. “But it runs, and if I hit the road in the next hour, I’ll make Vegas by seven.”
Des waded into the conversation. “It’s a crapshoot if it’ll make it to the freeway. Not to mention you’re in no shape to be driving.”
Cass’s stiff shoulders slumped as pain washed through her face before she wiped it away. She ran a hand over the back of her neck, the soft clack of beads on her collection of leather bracelets joining her sigh. “Yeah, I know.”
Something about her resignation got to Grayson. “I can drive you.” The offer escaped him before he could rethink it.
The three barkeepers turned to him, each wearing an expression of surprise. “What?” Cass asked as if not sure she’d heard correctly.
He didn’t blame her. Hell, he had no idea why he’d offered, but now that he had… “I can drive you,” he repeated. “I was planning on heading back in the morning anyway. No reason I can’t leave a few hours early.”
Color rose under Cass’s skin, the flush easing the shadows in her face. “I appreciate it, but?—”
“I can vouch for him.” Locke stood at Grayson’s side, his hand braced on the bar as he set a boot on the footrail. “I don’t know what’s going on, but if you need backup, he’s not the worst choice.”
“Wow, thanks for the vote of confidence,” Grayson muttered.
Locke shot him a smug grin. “Just sayin’.” He turned back to Cass, his smile fading as he turned serious. “Whatever it is that you’re heading up to deal with, neither Des nor Isa is happy about it, so maybe having a friendly face, even one like his, isn’t such a bad idea.”
When Cass’s attention switched to Grayson, he realized her glasses were gone, revealing long lashes and brown and green flecks intertwined with gold. She studied him with wary interest. “You sure you don’t mind?”
He tried to ignore the way his body heated under her regard. “Not at all.”
She worried her bottom lip before finally giving in. “All right, then. Thank you.” She looked around, clearly searching for something. “I can meet you back here in about forty minutes. I just need to pack and book a room.” She looked at Isa. “Happy now?”
Isa nodded as Grayson winced.
“What?” Des demanded.
When Cass and Isa turned to Grayson, he shrugged. “Finding a room might be a problem. The annual E-Con is happening this weekend, and that typically spikes room rates and availability.”
“He’s not wrong,” Locke said. “And it’s not just them. There’s also a scheduled meeting for the heads of the western Arcane Families to discuss quarterly business plans.”
Isa snorted. “Is that what they’re calling it now?”
Locke shot her a dark look but went on. “You might have more luck with a private rental.”
“Maybe.” Cass closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. “I’ll figure something out.”
Isa’s mouth thinned. “Promise me you won’t stay with those people.”
Cass’s eyes flew open as her hand dropped to her side then curled into a fist. “Those people are my parents, Iz.” There was a hint of warning in her voice.
Isa remained unmoved. “And they’re toxic, so promise.”
“Enough.” Cass turned from Isa to Grayson. “Forty minutes?”
There was no missing the struggle between anger and tears, so he did what he could to help. “I’ll be here,” he promised.
She dipped her chin in acknowledgment, gave Des a quick hug, lifted a hand to Isa and Locke, and then went through the door to the back. Weighted silence filled the space for a long moment.
“What do I need to know?” Grayson finally asked.
When Isa and Des visibly relaxed, he figured he’d landed on the right question.
