I frowned, then lifted my shirt to my nose and sniffed. It didn’t smell that bad. He reached the edge of the carpeted stairs and looked at me.
“I’m going downstairs with Tully and Dante. You can come but can’t play until you learn poker. You gotta be able to stand a chance with them.”
“Or what?” I smirked. He shook his head,and a small, almost evil grin slid onto his face.
“Or they’ll end up killing you.”
11
“I smelled you before I saw you. I can’t believe you still are obsessed with those little red balls.” Tully chuckled. “Oh, are we still brooding? And here, I thought I was going to be nice by making sure we had cinnamon candy for you tonight.”
I glared at him from across the room as he picked up a bag and nodded to me.
“Candy won’t sway me,” I said sarcastically. He sauntered over and offered me the bag. I stared at it. My mouth began to water. Despite myself, I did want them. I inhaled deeply.
I eyed Tully warily. He grinned, his fangs glinting in the light. “It just might.”
The fireballs were almost a comfort item at this point in my immortal life. While I didn’t need them to survive, like blood, I did revel in the burn on my tongue when I had them.
“I see you dressed appropriately tonight,” he said.
“Like you were dressed nice yesterday?” I shot back. I shifted uncomfortably. Considering how everyone else was dressed the night before, I had opted for something nicer tonight. Dress pants, a short-sleeved white button-up, and black suspenders. It wasn’t a tuxedo or anything, but also not the band shirts and boots I preferred.
Scout’s footsteps were heard up above us, and I stilled. Tully and I shared a look. I watched his Adam’s apple bob with nervousness.
Good.
I snatched the bag of candy from him. I gave him a tight smile and returned to the stairs to make sure I escorted her around. As I waited for her to come down, I opened the bag to see that the candy was smaller than the normal fireballs I ate, but they appeared the same in every other way. I grabbed two and popped them in my mouth just as Scout came down the stairs.
She had changed into a clean dress. When she saw me at the bottom, she glowered. I ignored it. I was still too damn pissed about everything. However, the candy was easing my mind some. I could suck on these all night and keep my mouth shut.
I smiled and found that it didn’t come as hard as it had moments before. It must have been a bad one because Scout cringed away from me. I cocked my head, and she jumped, causing me to chuckle.
“You want to go downstairs with everyone?” I asked. She eyed me suspiciously.
“I just need some blood. I don’t have to go down there,” she said, her voice soft.
“Bullshit. Live a little. You wanted to meet my family. Let’s do it.” I found the words tumbling out of my mouth surprising. Was I really okay with this?
I offered her my hand, and she was still hesitant. I tightened my brows. I reached for her, and she flinched back. I blinked. I flicked my tongue over the rapidly dissolving candy and scowled at her. “Come on.”
“I ain’t your bitch.”
I blinked. My mouth opened and closed for a moment before responding. “You sure fucked yourself like you were one in heat. No, you’re not my bitch, but I can treat you like it if you really fucking want.” I spat.
“I’m leaving. We’re done here.” She turned,but I grabbed her.
“Stop! Scout—”My mind was all over the place. One moment I was angry. The next, I was relaxed and then confused when I switched back.
She ripped herself from my grip and spun back to look at me. “Choose your next words carefully.”
I swallowed and nodded. “Fine. Let’s go get some blood, and we’ll play some cards. No bullshit.”
“Fine.”
I didn’t try to take her hand this time. Instead,I led her downstairs to the poker room with one hand on the small of her back and the other in my pocket, popping more candy in my mouth. They dissolved fast.
The room was full of people already betting their life’s savings, blood, bodies,and God knows what else. It was crowded, and I tightened my hold on Scout’s waist. She found my hand and squeezed it as I took her through the party to a red, unlabeled door guarded by a bouncer.
