Sebastian’s gaze sharpens.
Drew chokes on his beer.
I turn and take a sip of my drink like I didn’t just say that.
Drew is staring at me like he’s scared...
And intrigued.
I’ll take it.
At least he’s paying attention to me.
And now that I have it, I’m not giving it back.
4
DREW
I don’t understandwhat’s happening.
I’m sitting here, holding my beer, watching Violet laugh with Ivy like they’ve known each other for years—and none of it makes sense.
They’ve been talking for maybe five minutes. And somehow, they’re already finishing each other’s sentences.
Or maybe it makes perfect sense, and I’m just in denial.
Sebastian stands beside me, quiet and composed, watching them. “Wow. They’re hitting it off.” He shoots me an amused look.
I don’t like that look. It makes me nervous.
I drum my fingers on the table, then take a long drink. “Yeah, they are.”
I frown at them.
Violet looks up and catches my eye. She gives me a big smile that makes my heart pound faster.
I should not be acting this way.
Ivy says something to her, and Violet responds.
I take another sip, watching her.
She’s animated now, hands moving as she talks. Her smile is easy and genuine, like this is normal. Like she didn’t just appear in the parking lot tonight, scaring the hell out of me. Like I didn’t almost get my ass kicked by Smoke ten minutes ago. And would have if she hadn’t stepped in and stopped it.
“You don’t know her, huh?” Sebastian asks, eyes moving from Violet to his wife.
He’s still Ivy’s protective guard dog. It got worse after Silas kidnapped her. He hasn’t let up since, always acting like danger lurks around every corner.
My grip tightens on the bottle. “No,” I admit. “We just met tonight.”
“Hmm,” he says.
“What?” My tone is slightly defensive.
He stares at me, raising his brows.
I start babbling like an idiot, telling him what happened in the parking lot. The CliffsNotes version. Telling him the whole story... well, he might get even more suspicious.
