For the first time in my life, I don’t look broken. I look…powerful. Dangerous, even. Like someone worth wanting. The realization sends a thrill through me that I’m not quite ready to examine.
Sienna whistles low and appreciative. “Where have you been hiding that figure?”
Warmth floods my cheeks. “If anyone from the pack sees us, it’ll be a problem. My mother is very strict about public image.”
Anne nods and winks at me. “Don’t worry. We’re going to a human bar. We’ll be safe there. No one from the pack will see us.”
Relief floods through me immediately. “You’re sure?”
“Positive.” Anne links her arm through mine. “Now come on. We’re wasting prime drinking time.”
I wrap my long coat around myself like armor. Cinnamon lifts her head from her bed, watching us with sleepy eyes.
“Be good,” I tell her. “I’ll be back later.”
Anne and Sienna crowd around her, cooing and fussing over her like she’s the cutest thing they’ve ever seen. Which, to be fair, she probably is.
“Who’s driving?” I ask as we head out the door to the elevator.
“Nobody.” Sienna grins. “We’re taking a taxi because we plan to get a little drunk tonight. Can’t drive if we’re drinking.”
Anne pulls out her phone and taps the screen. “Calling for one now.”
We step outside. A few minutes later, headlights appear down the street, and a sedan pulls up to the curb. The three of us squeeze into the back seat, with me in the middle. The driver gives us an appreciative look in the rearview mirror that makes me fasten the top two buttons of my coat.
Not two minutes later, my tiny clutch buzzes in my lap. I ignore it.
It buzzes again.
All three of us see Darius’s name on the screen when I pull out my phone. My thumb hits thedecline button.
The phone immediately starts ringing again.
“Darius really wants to talk to you,” Sienna observes.
“It might be important,” Anne says softly.
Sighing, I accept the call and press the phone to my ear. “Hello?”
“Where are you?” Darius’s voice is tight, controlled in a way that makes my spine straighten. “I’m at your place. You’re not here.”
“That’s because I’m going out for dinner and drinks with Anne and Sienna.” My voice stays level, professional. Like he’s just another colleague and not the man who had me pinned to the floor altogether too recently.
“Violet, I need to talk to you. It’s important.”
“Send me an email.” I end the call before he can respond, adrenaline pulsing through my veins.
Sienna stares at me. “Send you an email? Wow, you two really don’t get along, do you?”
“He’s too involved in my business.” My phone disappears back into my clutch.
Anne’s expression turns thoughtful. “He sure does worry about you, though. That’s kind of sweet.”
“It’s annoying.”
Sienna grins. “I don’t know. The way he looks at you in the office? There’s definitely something there.”
“There’s nothing there.” The words come out too quickly, too defensive. “He’s my brother.”
