I give her a look. “Charm? You looked like you were about to take a bite out of him.”
“Always an option.”
“You’re a feral little thing, aren’t you?” I say, grinning.
“Absolutely. You should remember that.” She looks over my shoulder and sobers. “And that we’re working. Her Highness looks pissed.”
I don’t care if Keke is on fire right now. I’m having too good of a time.
Unfortunately, Sera actually cares about this job.
“They’re done?”
I pause. Keke and her friends weren’t done. What do I do now?
As we walk back to the table, I register the concerned looks on the other diners’ faces. The room feels wrong. My skin tightens as I scan the room looking for the threat.
Sera glances back at me, catching the shift in my posture. Her smile fades, too, and she pivots.
“What’s that noise?” Her brow furrows.
I finally pick up the muted sound from outside. I pace toward the front windows and mutter a curse, just as the manager of the restaurant hurries up to us.
A small crowd has gathered outside the restaurant, bundled in coats and scarves, signs clutched in gloved hands, breaths fogging the cold air as they shift impatiently on their feet.
“How did they even know we were here?” Dani murmurs, and I realize the group has followed me.
Keke lifts her phone, entirely unbothered. “I tagged the location on a story I posted when we left the hotel.”
I don’t bother responding. The protestors don’t look dangerous, more irritated than aggressive.
The restaurant manager hurries over, face pale, wringing his hands. “I’ve called the police?—”
“That’ll take too long and bring too much attention.” I pull the keys from my pocket and press them into his palm. “Go out through the kitchen. Start our car.”
He balks, eyes darting toward the windows. “I don’t think that’s?—”
“Do it,” I snarl.
That’s all it takes. He swallows and scurries off without another word.
“I can’t believe they came out in this weather,” Dani says quietly, peering through the glass again.
Keke raises her phone. “I just need one more?—”
“No.” My tone is clipped. “Phone down. When I open the door, hold on to my jacket and don’t let go. No gaps between you. No stopping, and don’t engage with them.”
She sighs but complies, her fingers knotting into the fabric.
I keep my eyes on the street, waiting until I see the manager unlock the SUV and climb inside. A second later, the engine turns over and white exhaust blooms into the air.
“I’ll take point,” I tell Sera. “You got the rear?”
She nods immediately, already moving, guiding Dani in front of Marco, then stepping close behind him.
The moment I pull the door open, the cold slams into us and the noise jumps, shouts sharpening as phones lift to record. A few people closest to the entrance hesitate when I step forward, my shoulders squared, gaze hard.
“Back up,” I bark.
