I could hear him talking downstairs. The dull drone of male voices filtered up from the kitchen, along with the chink of beer bottles. I could really have done with a cold beer, but I wasn’t about to go down and ask for one.
I spent the day exploring his room; some people would have called it snooping. There really wasn’t anything else to do.
When the sun started dipping below the horizon, sending a bright orange shaft of light filtering through the chink of the curtains, I had explored every single inch of the room.
Fang had said there was a party tonight. A party I was expected to go to. One where people would expect me and Havoc to be ok. Better than ok. They would expect us to be all over each other, totally in lust.
I wasn’t sure how we were going to make that believable when we weren’t even talking.
Flopping down on the bed with a groan, I closed my eyes. I would have to go down there. Swallow my pride and face him. The very thought was enough to make a lump form in my throat.
What had I been thinking? Offering to sleep with him, and the Judge as well? I hadn’t been thinking; that was the honest answer. I just didn’t want him to get into any kind of trouble for me. Well, any more than he was already in, anyway.
Why?
Because I liked him. As strange as that sounded, I actually liked him. And I didn’t want him in danger for me.
With a groan, I climbed to my feet, padding downstairs quietly. I didn’t hesitate at the bottom of the stairs to eavesdrop. I had learnt my lesson there.
“Hey.” Calling out loudly, I paused in the kitchen doorway, and two pairs of eyes skidded to me.
Havoc’s eyes lingered and then skirted away.
He was still mad at me.
That was just great.
I had been hoping he would have forgiven me by now. It sure would have made things easier.
Timidly I stepped into the room. “Is it ok if I grab something to eat and drink before the party?”
Havoc frowned, a fine line appearing between his dark eyebrows. “You don’t have to ask to get something to drink, Darcie.” He sounded even angrier, if that was possible.
This was all going wrong.
The Judge laughed. “I think she’s here to make it up to you. Is that what you want, Darcie? To kiss and make up with your man?”
I nodded. Unable to speak.
“I don’t want to go to the party fighting.” I finally managed to say.
Havoc placed his bottle down on the side loudly. Loud enough that everyone’s attention was suddenly back on him, instead of me. “She isn’t going to the party.” He said it like it was final. Like I didn’t get a say in it.
“What do you mean I’m not…”
He didn’t let me finish. “I’m not going, and neither are you. I have some stuff to do for the club. Important stuff.” He left the rest unsaid, his eyes meeting mine. Like he was trying to convey some silent message to me. Like he could read my mind, he held up a finger. “You know better than to ask about club business Darcie. So don’t bother.”
“I could take her to the party if she really wanted to go.”
“No.” We answered the Judge in unison. But it was Havoc’s voice that came out firmer. He looked honestly freaked by the offer. “That’s fine; I’ve got a prospect coming around to watch over her.”
“Anyone would think you don’t trust me, Havoc?” The Judge’s voice was even, but he couldn’t hide the mocking tone to it.
“I don’t.” Havoc looked me straight in the eye. He might not trust the Judge, but he trusted me even less.
“I don't need a babysitter.”
“Yes, you do.” He sighed. “Why don’t you go run yourself a bath Darcie, let me finish this beer, and I’ll bring you up a plate.” He didn’t take his eyes off me. “We can talk about this more then.”
