“Shook,” Axel finished for him. “Terrified.”
“How the fuck am I supposed to know?” Xander growled, taking another mouthful of his beer. “She just shows up and there’s drama.”
“You’re such an arsehole,” Sam muttered as he cleaned the bar. “When’s the last time you got laid?” Sam’s leopard flashed with a feline grin. “You’re so uptight. Maybe that’s why Kyra gets you all hot and bothered.”
Axel suddenly coughed, but he was unable to disguise his grin.
“She doesn’t get me hot and bothered, I can’t stand her,” Xander said with a scowl, ignoring the twist in his stomach. “Where’s everyone else?” He had only just arrived at the bar before he had noticed Kyra standing lost in the crowd, unable to tear his eyes away from the woman whose own eyes had widened at his harsh glare. “I thought there was poker.”
“It’s in the back room,” Axel said, gesturing to the door beside the stairs that ascended to the overhead glass office. “Jax stayed at home with the bloody cat.”
Xander laughed, imagining the tiny black cat having a group of warrior men at his mercy. Poe had moved in and instantly acted like he was king, demanding treats and cuddles. He was scraggly, with half his ear missing and two different colour eyes, but he seemed to have settled himself happily.
“He’s also been sparring with Lucy,” Axel added. “But we both know he prefers the company of the cat.”
Lucifer was the only Daemon they hadn’t killed on sight. He had helped them in the past, and now they couldn’t get rid of the fucker even if they had wanted to.
“Lucy’s still pissed he lost the last game,” Sam said, crossing his arms. “He also needs to practice his social skills. He almost lost us business last time when he scared a young girl. I had to spend hourscalmingher down.” A laugh, feline eyes glittering.
Axel stiffened beside him, but said nothing.
Xander hadn’t been at the bar that night, but had heard Lucy was trying to flirt by offering to flay the skin from every male who laid their eyes on her. She had been human and hadn’t appreciated the sentiment.
“You not joining us?” he asked Axel as he finished his beer, placing it on the bar.
“Maybe in a while, I don’t want to take all your money so early in the night.”
Xander clapped him on the shoulder. “You wish.”
The back room was more like a storage closet, the walls covered in spare bottles, cleaning supplies and mops. Someone had added a small round table into the centre with four chairs. They all had to take turns to beat each other at cards, the men already shoulder to shoulder.
It was Sythe who looked up first, a smile teasing his lips. “Royal flush,” he said, settling his cards down onto the green felt.
Titus swore, slamming his hand on the table hard enough to rattle the plastic chips. “That’s the third time in a row. It’s bullshit.” He chewed on his bottom lip, twirling the silver ring that pierced through the centre. It matched the small ring that pierced the side of his nose.
“Another game?” Sythe asked, the question aimed at Xander.
Only two chairs were taken. “Where’s Kace?” He knew the answer before either of them could even answer. “Deal me in, I’ll be right back.”
He took the stairs two at a time, the sense of urgency growing until he found Kace leaning against the wall in the darkened hallway, his eyes closed. His red hair swept forward when he turned to Xander, dark eyes opening to slits. “What a surprise that you’re here,” he said, lip tipped into a smirk.
“The boys are setting up another game of poker,” Xander grunted. “Maybe you should go help?” He left no room for an argument.
“Or what?” Kace said, violence thickening the air between them. Out of all his brothers it was Kace who had the most trouble controlling his beast.
“You need to fight?” Xander asked as Kace’s eyes swirled liquid silver. “Then wait for me out the back or go to the fucking club.”
Cold calculation in Kace’s gaze. “I’m sensing some hostility, brother,” he said with a smirk. “Maybe it’s because of a certain black witch?”
“Fuck off and get downstairs.”
Kace bowed, the movement sarcastic.
Xander waited until Kace had descended the stairs before he opened the office door, not bothering to knock. He knew exactly when Kyra realised he had entered, her shoulders tightening before she turned her head gently to the side. Her cheeks were flushed, but he swore her skin was slightly paler than usual.
“You need me?” Xander asked, dragging his eyes away from Kyra’s profile to Riley. He waited to be dismissed, not even sure why he entered a private meeting in the first place. As Riley’s second he was the one who made sure the others followed their orders, he didn’t break protocol.
Riley frowned at the intrusion, but didn’t ask him to leave. “Kyra was just telling me that she had been receiving threats, and this evening was attacked.”
