I would never presume to call a mere drink after you. A new spirit, perhaps. Wine or whiskey, Alaric?
Alaric’s amusement bubbled in his mind. Titus enjoyed his elder’s lighter side before the presence ebbed from his brain. He glanced up at his next customer in time to focus on his interactions.
“Hi, Titus!” The scantily clad woman greeted him with a sultry look. “How do I get a drink named after me?” Titus would have considered her extremely attractive before meeting his mate. Now all women seemed ordinary in comparison with his precious Alessia.
Carina answered that for him as she and Alessia reclaimed their empty stools, “Sorry, it’s a special club that’s either in your blood or not. Check out that tall guy on the dance floor. He told me he’d love to meet you.”
“Really? Thanks!” The woman headed for her new target.
“Smooth, Carina,” Alessia complimented her.
“Nobody gets near our mates,” Carina said, glowering. A second later, she slapped her hand over her mouth once again.
Titus checked in with Alessia to see if she was concerned or frightened by Carina’s fangs appearing.
“Could I have another one of these?” Alessia asked without a hint of reaction to her new friend’s toothy problem.
Titus nodded and checked with Carina, “Alessia, Carina?
“Yes, please!” Carina answered, obviously back in control of her fangs.
Titus anticipated Alessia would have a lot of questions for him at the end of the night. And he would be glad to answer all of them. After making her scream with pleasure several times. He grinned as he squeezed the lime.
A warning message went out to all the clan from Marcus.My staff are fielding reports from returning Nightfall partygoers that a reporter outside is taking pictures of their glowing tattoos. They’re all excited to be in the local paper tomorrow. The person disappeared before I got to them. Anyone want to bet that Nightfall won’t be featured in an article inthe Daily Times?
Costa’s gathering intel on our doorstep. He needs to be eliminated.Titus fumed.
“Da… Titus, are you okay?” Alessia asked, correcting herself from using the intimate name he’d asked her to call him.
Carina smirked, and Titus guessed she knew exactly what Alessia had started to say. The dynamic between Marcus, Nightfall’s security director, and Carina was strong. He’d been happy his clan member had found his mate. Envious, definitely. Now, Titus also appreciated the support Carina could give his own mate. The two already appeared to be fast friends.
“I’m beyond perfect, Alessia. Just listening to the security group talking about a minor problem outside.”
“My Daddy’s safe?” Carina said.
“He’s upstairs, Carina. Want to go see him?” Titus asked.
Her chair was empty before Titus finished his question. Alessia stared at the space where Carina had sat a fraction of a second ago. She scanned the room and turned back to Titus with her brow furrowed in concern.
Yeah, she was going to have a lot of questions.Titus smiled reassuringly at Alessia. “Want to dance with me, Little mate? I have a break now.” He didn’t, but someone would take over for him for a few minutes.
“I’d love that!”
Donovan? How much would I have to pay for you to spin a slow song next?
Titus! You’re ruining my upbeat groove here.A second later, Donovan sighed dramatically and continued,Come on! The minute you’re on the dance floor, everyone is going to flood there no matter what I’m playing.
I owe you one, Donovan,Titus told him as he steered Alessia toward the crowded dance floor.
I’ll remember that.
Chapter
Eight
During the week while Nightfall was closed, Alessia settled into her new life. Despite her protests, Titus had filled her closet with an array of clothes, from fancy dresses for her to dance in at Nightfall to tunics and leggings to relax in at home. He’d also replaced her phone with one to use in emergencies, while cautioning her not to call anyone with ties to Enzo.
Alessia wondered if her sisters and mother had worried at all. She was sure her mother would have thought of her—not been concerned but would have recognized Alessia was not at the house. Serafina would only have noticed her absence if Enzo had raged about Alessia being gone at dinner. Then she’d celebrate by stealing Alessia’s clothing. Mirabella was away at college and removed from the commotion.
