I watched from behind the bar as he leaned in close and spoke to square-head. I couldn’t hear what was being said, but I watched the blood drain from the man’s face. He nodded finally and collected his belligerent and angry friend that Reaver had tossed across the dining room.
His friend looked like he wanted a piece of Reaver, but square-head ushered him away, and they left the restaurant.
“Party is fucking over!” Reaver snarled at the rest of the guests, who had fallen silent to watch the drama unfold. I blinked, and Shem slid up to the bar, frowning.
“What’s going on?” he asked curiously, and I shot him a worried look.
“Some assholes tried to grab me, and now I think Reaver is trying to tell everyone to leave.”
Shem groaned and dropped his head into his hand, massaging the corners of his eyes. “Of course he is.”
Rafael came running out onto the floor. “What do you think you’re doing! They have paid for the night! You can’t kick them out!”
Reaver whirled on him and rammed his finger into his chest.
“Fucking watch me,” he snarled. “Go to the office. We can talk about this there.”
I felt like my jaw was going to hit the floor. Raf wasReaver’sboss. He couldn’t talk to him like that… could he?
“You’re going to regret this. I’m going straight to Eloah,” Raf said, his tone just as low and dangerous as Reaver’s. Reaver grabbed him by the shirt, and I could have sworn he had nearly lifted the bar manager off the floor.
“I don’t give afuck.If Eloah has a problem, he knows where to find me. Go to the office. NOW.”
Rafael narrowed his eyes at Reaver, and to my utter shock, he turned on his heel and stormed away. Reaver turned back to the rest of the guests in the dining room.
“Get the fuck out!” he bellowed. No one argued, and I couldn’t blame them. He wasterrifyingright now. Once he was satisfied that the guests were leaving, he whirled to face the bar, and his angry gaze landed on me. I swallowed as I absorbed the full extent of his rage. He stalked toward me and lifted the drop hatch, gesturing for me to pass through.
“You’re done for the night, Lilith. Go home,” he ordered, and I frowned.
“Reaver, you can’t just—” Suddenly, he was in front of me, gripping my arms so hard I cried out in pain. He was shaking with fury, and his face was so close to mine that I was choking on frankincense.
“That wasn’t afuckingrequest,” he snarled. “Get out of here before I do something we’re both going to regret.”
I felt my eyes well up with tears, and he sneered down his nose at me.
“You know crying doesn’t work with me, Lilith, I fucking love it when you cry.” He dropped me, and something in my chest snapped. I didn’t think, I justdecked him.
I cracked him so hard across the face that his head whipped to the side, and my hand immediately erupted in pain. Not bothering to wait and see what he would do… I bolted.
I rushed past Shem, feeling the sobs come on before I could stop them. By the time I made it to the kitchen, I was full-blown crying. Mike looked up from where he was tossing a Caesar salad that would now never make it to its guest, his brow furrowing in concern.
“Hey Lil, what’s wrong?” he asked, taking in my tears.
“Reaver, he just… he’s such anasshat!”I heaved, trying to get a grip on myself. I couldn’t manage it. Between my demon torturing me, Sam’s death, and Reaver’s fucking split personality, I couldn’t take it anymore. My breathing intensified, and my eyes widened as I realized I was having a goddamned panic attack.
Not knowing what to do or how to make it stop, I looked up at Mike, who was watching me with eyes full of sympathy.
“Stay here, Lil,” he said quietly before shuffling into the back and reappearing with a prep stool. “Here, sit on this. Put yer head between yer knees and breathe,” he instructed. I did as he said and immediately felt a little more in control of my breathing.
“There, there. In through your nose, kid, and out through your mouth. My niece gets these from time to time. You just gotta try and ground yourself.”
I nodded, doing my best to focus on my breathing like he had said and letting the calming circles he was rubbing into my back soothe me.
After a few minutes, my heart rate slowed down, and my breathing felt more even. I sat up and wiped away a tear, looking up at Mike, hoping he could see how much I appreciated him. He was such a nice man. His niece was lucky to have him.
“There. Yer gonna be alright,” he said gruffly, patting my back. I smiled at him just as Reaver walked into the kitchen. He zeroed in on us, and his already furious expression darkened further. I watched his gaze flick to Mike’s hand on my back, then up to my tear-stained face, and I swear if looks could kill, both of us would be dead.
“You don’t fucking listen, do you?” he snarled, stalking toward me,
