But that was changing, because now? They were mirroring one another’s stance, one foot crossed over the other, heads tilted at the same angle as they talked.
Nothing in it, Christian knew—heknewDave—but something about it hit him wrong. Left a nagging feeling that he couldn’t identify, deep inside.
Dave looked up and smiled at Christian like he always did, like no one else mattered. Something inside Christian unclenched, and he hated that it had been there at all.
Okay. He was fine. He was just tired, that was all.
DAVE
The canning plant had reeked of metal and sweat when they walked in earlier that evening, and Dave hated it. He hated even more that the scent was becoming so familiar.
As he’d wrinkled his nose against it, Christian beside him had dragged in a deep, satisfied breath. Dave wondered how they could have had such an amazing day together yet now feel like they were worlds apart. How was that even possible?
He should have said something in the quiet warmth of the afternoon sun. Should have told Christian that he didn’t want the day to end in blood and bruises, that he wanted more days like the one they’d had. But he knew that would be asking for too much, so he’d kept the words deep inside him, joining all those others he’d swallowed over the years. The ones that would fester if he didn’t meditate every day and keep them from poisoning him.
Once through the door, they’d split up, Christian heading toward the fighters’ area, already loose-limbed and rolling his shoulders, hungry, while Dave faded into the crowd. Far more non-shifters were around tonight, and he was going to have his work cut out to find shifters to talk to. Or yell at, more like, given the way everyone was shouting to be heard over the thumping bass through the speakers and the mass of people. A lot more women here too, Dave noticed, clustered near the front with drinks in hand, eyes scanning the fighters. Probably here for the same reason the guys were—to see someone bleed, or someone beautiful. Or both.
He got a beer and skirted the edges of the room until he found a clearer spot by one of the loading doors. Leaning against the wall, he pulled out his phone. He knew he needed to talk to people, to ask questions, but most of the shifters were in a fairly tight-knitgroup, looking serious. This definitely wasn’t the right time to barge in among them and start asking difficult questions.
Instead, he scrolled through the pack’s chat, where Tristan had posted another photo of Diablo, who he claimed was on strike, holding out for a higher apples-to-hay ratio. And Riley, who was still documenting Jesse’s ongoing war with the chickens, shared a photo of a stand-off between Jesse and their rooster. And honestly, in that one, Dave wasn’t sure who his money was on.
God, he missed them all more than he’d thought possible.
“Hey,” a voice said beside him.
He looked up to see Justin, a smile on his face and that casual way of standing that made him look open and friendly.
“Hey.” Dave shifted slightly to make room, sliding his phone back in his pocket. Justin accepted the invitation and leaned against the wall beside him.
“Sorry to disappear on you last night,” Dave said, because he’d been so swept up in Christian, he hadn’t even spared a glance for Justin.
Justin shrugged. “Post-fight adrenaline. Happens all the time.” He paused. “You and he are more than just friends?”
“Yeah,” Dave said. “Something going on?” He tipped his head toward the large group of shifters.
“Barton’s giving his orders,” Justin said.
Dave’s attention instantly sharpened, though he tried not to give away his sudden interest as he stared across at the group. When two of the shifters moved away, he could see the man in the center who… Dave had never known how to explain to a non-shifter what an alpha felt like. It was as if they were the sun, drawing attention, pulling shifters into their orbit with something as irresistible as gravity. At least, the strong ones were.
Barton was definitely one of those. Maybe he felt Dave’s eyes on him, or maybe Dave was just unlucky, but Barton’s gaze methis and held it, just for a moment. Dave looked away as soon as he could, as soon as the alpha released him, and found his mouth was dry. That… yeah, he didn’t like Barton. Cold, powerful, and just… He didn’t like him.
He swallowed, trying to calm his wolf and to get back on track. He was here to find out facts. The sooner he learned what they were here to find out, the sooner they could go home and he could forget that cold, gray stare.
“You’ve already got your orders, then?” he asked Justin. Because it was kind of weird, Justin not being with all the other shifters, who were clustered close but deferential around Barton.
Justin gave a self-conscious laugh. “Yeah,” he said, scratching the back of his neck. “Barton knows I’m not getting in the cage any time soon. My job’s the same it’s always been, drifting through the crowd, looking for trouble before it starts. Which on a Friday or Saturday is all the more likely, especially at the end of the month when people have paychecks to spend.”
“D’you have regulars, or do you get different people showing up?”
“Bit of both,” Justin said. “It seems like you’re becoming a regular.”
Dave nodded. “Christian wants to fight.”
“Looks as though he loves it,” Justin said, his eyes focused across the room.
Dave followed his gaze to the fighters’ area. Christian was stretching, all focus and energy.
“That must be weird for you when you don’t,” Justin added.
