“The harder I tried to keep Yvette and Bishop apart, the more futile that endeavor became.”
But Austin hadn’t been truly worried about his sister’s safety, because he hadn’t known there was any possibility Bishop could accidentally partially-shift during a moment of…passion.
But I knew.Vanceknew.
“I take it Davey’s mad at you?”
“If her refusal to answer her phone is any indication, she’s nuclear-level pissed off.” She and I were on the same cell plan, and usually I could track her phone. But she’d disabled her location.
I hadnoidea where my sister was, for the first time in years. And I’d fired the man I’d trusted to help keep her safe.
“Bishop is driving around aimlessly, looking for Cam Senet’s car. Want me to see if he can keep an eye out for Davey too?”
“No!” The last thing I needed was for his violently passionate grief to meet her anger and need for rebellion. I didn’t truly believe she’d cheat on Vance, but I wasn’t about to start throwing attractive shifter men in her direction.
Never again.
Austin’s brows rose at my reaction. “Okay. He’s promised to call me if he sees Cam’s car, andnotto act on impulse. But I’m not sure he actually has a wait-for-backup mode.”
“Or a think-it-through mode,” I added, and Austin laughed.
“Thanks for coming in. It’s really nice of you,” I said as I heard the bell on the front door ring.
He shrugged. “I figured you’d be happy for the company, even if I broke a few glasses.”
“I am. But don’t break my glasses.”
He laughed again as we headed back out front.
An hour later, headlights flashed through the front window, and I recognized the sound of Davey’s engine as she drove around to the employee parking lot. I left Austin taking orders and darted into the kitchen to intercept her just as she walked through the back door.
“Hey,” I said, and she jumped, startled by my appearance. “I didn’t think you’d come in tonight.”
She glared at me, repositioning her canvas bag over her shoulder. “It’s my bar too.”
“I know.”
“I’m not going to let you run me out of my own life, Charley.”
“That is innoway what I’m trying to do. Will you come upstairs for a minute? I think we should talk.”
“Who’s watching the bar?”
“Austin.”
She frowned. “Does he even know how to pull a proper pint?”
I shrugged. “He’ll be fine for fifteen minutes. The guys all like him.”
She heaved an exaggerated sigh and trudged up the stairs.
“Davey, I just want you to understand that I’m not trying to run your life,” I said as I closed my apartment door behind her. “Sleep with any human you want. I promise I don’t care, and even if I did—even if I hated your choice—I wouldn’t say a word because it’s none of my business, and I know that. As long as you stick to humans.”
Her frown became a scowl. “I was really hoping you brought me up here so you could apologize and tell me you’d called Vance home.”
I exhaled slowly. “I am sorry. I’m very, very sorry that you’re hurt. That you’re in this position at all. But no, I’m not bringing Vance back. I fired him for a reason, and I can’t just go back on my word.”
“You are such a hypocrite!” she shouted, and I flinched, hoping the noise from the bar would keep everyone downstairs from hearing her.
