“Make it a couple ice cubes,” Niamh amended.
“Did I do anything I will regret when I hear about it?” Nessa asked.
“Probably,” Phil said as Niamh said, “Nah.”
Nessa groaned again, bracing her head on her forearms. “Do I want to know?”
“Definitely not,” Phil replied. “Listen, regret is only for the things youdidn’tdo. Last night, you did it all. There’s no point in regretting that.”
Nessa winced. “All of what?”
“All of nothing, that’s what.” Niamh took the drink from the bartender. “Here, start with the cola. Get a little sugar in ya.”
She sat up and did as instructed. It couldn’t hurt.
“Ye stole a few weapons, threatened a few women, and passed out on that gargoyle-monster.” Niamh passed over the whiskey once Nessa was done. “All in a day’s work. Anyone who says different is lying. Now, go back over to Tristan. Pretend like ya like him. It’s good for business.”
She didn’t know what that meant, and she greatly suspected Niamh was glossing over things, but she didn’t have the ability to care right now.
“Okay,” she said, shakily standing from the bar and making her way back. Halfway there she would’ve normally flicked her hair over her shoulder and smiled at the group of guys looking her way. It was the easiest way to make connections that she might need for information down the road. Thankfully, there was no need for that here. She didn’t have the ability for it, anyway.
As she neared their section, Gerard’s lead enforcer stepped in front of her, blocking her way. “You’re Nessa, correct?” he said, looking at her with heated eyes. “Did I remember that correctly?”
From two seconds ago when he must’ve heard Gerard use it?
She worked up a smile. “Yes, hello. And you are?”
“Sam, the lead enforcer for Khaavalor.”
He said it like that might matter to her.
“Great.” She started to edge around him. “You did great today.”
He stepped in her way. “Yes, thank you.” He put a warm hand on her upper arm. “At first we didn’t know?—“
Tristan’s hand shot out, his body moving from behind her. She hadn’t heard him approach! His fingers tightened as hegripped Sam’s throat. With a show of strength that widened her eyes, he lifted the lead enforcer into the air with unspeakable menace and zero effort. Sam’s face turned red, and his eyes tightened in fear as Tristan leaned in.
“If you touch her again,” Tristan said, his nightmare magic soaking the air around him, “I will rip that arm off. Do I make myself clear? She has a claim on her. It belongs tome.”
He waited for a second while the other gargoyle sputtered and tugged on Tristan’s arm. His feet kicked. He dipped his head in an urgent nod.
Tristan flung him away as though he were nothing. The lead enforcer hit the ground and slid past the section’s barriers. Nessa’s heart pounded in time with the pulse in her core. Holy hell, he was hot when he was possessive and incensed. She saw now why Jessie liked it when Austin got like that.
Tristan slipped his arm around Nessa’s shoulders. Electricity danced within the touch, and she leaned in gratefully.
Gerard watched the whole thing with interest, then resumed his conversation with Ulric. He wasn’t worried about Tristan manhandling his Guardian.
“Sit.” Tristan stopped at his chair.
“It’s fine, I can?—“
His voice turned deep and rough and commanding. “Sit,” he said again.
Damn that heat racing through her. She turned and let him help her into the bar-height seat. He stood beside her, his arm over the back of her chair and his chest partially pointed at her. He leaned in slightly, like a shifter advertising a claim on his mate.
She sighed and relaxed her shoulder against his chest.
“You put on a good show,” he murmured, “but you look like you don’t feel well.”
