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And the reaction sure as shit wasn’t getting any better, considering I lost every ounce of oxygen in my lungs when she and Brinley suddenly reemerged from the hall.

A punch of relief and pain because just looking at her was excruciating.

They were hand in hand.

Thick as thieves.

They strutted straight to the mini bar set up along the far wall, looking like two knockouts on the hunt for trouble. Giggling under their breaths and sharing covert, silent secrets.

I thought maybe the dress Elena wore was supposed to be simple, but on her, it looked like art. A fucking masterpiece that left me gaping.

It was tight. Really tight. The skirt portion hugged her hips and curves, and it only covered to mid-thigh.

The upper portion was a halter top that wrapped all the way around her neck, and it was pretty much backless, dipping all the way down to the sweet spot right above the cleft of her ass.

The dress was bad enough, but she’d paired it with black heels that there was no question Brinley was responsible for.

It made Elena five inches taller than normal. My petite girl suddenly towering over the cozy displays of the shop.

My mouth watered.

“You can relax, man. She’s safe here with all of us tonight.”

I jerked at Silas’s voice that rumbled near my ear.

I realized I was likely vibrating. Body jerking with lust I had no way to tamp. A beast barely contained.

My best friend took the reaction as something entirely different than it actually was.

Guilt clotted my throat.

“Won’t get complacent,” I muttered rather than the confession that twisted like lead through my spirit.

“At least thirty Crows are here. Another fifteen over at Keg & Creek. You’ve got nothing to worry about,” Brody claimed, arrogance rolling out of him. “Honestly am kinda hoping that piece of shit decides to show his face. I’m itching to have a little fun.”

Phoenix’s hands curled into fists, and a hot puff of agreement shot from his nostrils.

“I don’t want that monster within a thousand miles of her.” The coarse words cut from my tongue.

“No one is getting near her,” Silas assured. “Why don’t you have a little fun and let loose while everyone is here? Better yet, take the night off. God knows you’ve earned it.”

Problem was, the only kind of letting loose I wanted to do was with Elena.

I shot him a look that he deciphered instantly.

Not gonna happen.

He chuckled under his breath. “Fine. You have a mission and you’re going to see it through. Just like always.”

If only it were as simple as that. If that were the only driving force.

I looked back to see Elena and Brinley clinking their champagne flutes together. Something conspiratorial flashed through their features before Brinley strutted over to where the music system was set up.

Smirk on her face, she leaned over the laptop. Clearly, her fingers were working up something scandalous. No doubt about it when the music suddenly changed.

Turning to a dark and throbbing beat.

Half the volume than was usual at the club bar, but still, loud enough to fill up the space in that decadent pulse that coaxed idle bodies into moving.