All Souls' Night - Renee Rose Page 0,242

hon.” He winks and slithers away.

Roxy angles herself so she’s watching him. “What the fuck was that about?”

I have no desire to bring anyone else into the situation and make them another target for Phil. “Nothing. Just an old boss. Seems his clients miss me.” I shrug to emphasize it’s no big deal.

My insides churn, and I gulp for air. There’s no way in fucking hell I’ll work for him again. But I can’t let him hurt Karina again, either. What the hell am I’m going to do? This is not how I wanted the week to end.

When I emerge from the dungeon, I can smell Zoe’s fear from here. I was gone five minutes, and her demeanor went from innocent infatuation to a deer in headlights. I don’t know what the fuck happened, but it takes everything to keep my fangs from punching through my gums to defend her. When I find whoever upset Zoe, I’m ripping their throat out.

Roxy glares at me and jerks her chin at Theo, who pushes through the bodies toward me. “We need to talk,” he says.

I turn to him and nod.

Theo joins me in the coat check room and lowers his voice. “Zoe has a problem, and I know you care about her. Seems her old boss is trying to get her to return to his establishment. I have no idea who this guy is, but from what Roxy tells me, he isn’t good. Liam informed me this jerk just left, but he’s waiting in the parking lot. Can you make sure she gets home safely?”

Red tints my vision as I battle the desire to rip the guy to shreds. He’s threatening what’s mine. “Can we take this guy out?”

Theo cocks an eyebrow. “Uh, no. First of all, he’s human. Even assholes are protected until they cross the line.”

If he’s threatened Zoe, he’s already crossed my line, but I rein in my temper. I know Lucius’s rules about harming humans.

“But second, he’s connected in the community. Killing him will only draw attention to our existence. Besides, he’s a coward preying on women who are weaker than him. I’m hoping that, when he sees we protect her, he’ll leave her alone.”

I clench my fists at my sides. “If he knows what’s good for him, he’ll walk away and never look back.”

Theo nods. “Exactly.” With that, he turns and leaves.

I roll my head to ease the tension building in my shoulders, but it doesn’t help.

Roxy nudges Zoe, whispering and grinning. Zoe shrugs and busies herself with making drinks, the smile that lights up my evenings dimmed because of this asshole.

I clench my fists, fighting to stay rooted at my post and not tear outside and find the bastard.

After some time passes, Zoe’s smile returns, which helps ease the worst of my rage. She’s filling drink orders, letting Roxy’s teasing lighten her mood.

I approach her and lean across the bar. “Don’t leave without me tonight. I’m walking you to your car.”

She glances at Roxy and they share a silent exchange. Everyone else in the bar disappears when her gaze lands on me. “That’s not necessary. I told Roxy he’s not a threat. I’ll be fine.”

I cup her cheek and brush my thumb over her mouth. “I’m still walking you to your car. You’re one of us. We protect our own.”

You’re mine, is on the tip of my tongue, but I bite it back. I’ve been ignoring my desire for her as much as possible since the day she walked into this club. But one little brush of her lips and I’m falling headlong into the depths of her hazel eyes. And I can’t go there. I don’t know how she’ll react to learning what I am, but I also don’t want to drag her into my dark world. This has been the battle raging in my body for months. How can I enjoy the sweet pleasures of this woman without destroying who she is? I still don’t have the answer, and she’s weakening my resolve.

She releases a sigh and her shoulders curl in. “Just promise me you won’t do anything stupid. I’ll never forgive myself if you’re hurt.”

I rap my knuckle on the bar. “You have nothing to worry about.”

She purses her lips and waves me away before turning to a customer to take his order.

That’s okay. She doesn’t have to believe I can protect her in order for me to do so. She made the first move, and banished the barely-there walls I managed to