Friends With The Monsters - Albany Walker Page 0,61

I feel the stench of their magic.

A foul taste fills my mouth, but I work hard to keep my expression unbothered as I make my way over to the bar. I recognize the man holding the door so the group can enter. He was the guy who interrupted Gunnar and me in his office a few nights ago. He steps into the lounge as the last of the group comes through the door.

The space was packed before, but now it feels beyond overcrowded. Two men make their way over to a large conversation area with a couple of couches and chairs. One leans into the partiers already seated there and speaks. When the man leans back, the people look around, seeming a little bewildered, but they all start to rise and abandon their seats.

Vanessa and her group make their way over and the crowd parts for them. I face the bar. “May I have a bottle of water, please?”

“You got it,” a good-looking guy behind the bar replies quickly. Before I can drag a twenty out of my bra—these pants don’t leave room for pockets—Calix places a bill on the bar right next to my left elbow.

I know it’s him by the way he feels. Everyone else in this place is tarnished, but somehow it makes his purity shine even brighter.

“Anything for you?” the bartender asks with a chin jerk.

“Nothing, just hers.” Calix pushes the money closer to the man.

I lick my lips before cracking the lid on my drink. I know Grim is close, too. My stupid fucking body is somehow tuned in to his as well. I spin on the stool, using my boots on the bottom riser. Lifting the bottle to my lips, I whisper, “They feel like the oily guy,” then take a sip, covering my mouth.

I watch the entire VIP lounge, but keep an eye on the group. Gunnar is speaking to the man that interrupted us, but he’s not being very subtle about keeping an eye on our small group. Every time I glance past him, he’s looking at us.

“He’s not very stealthy,” I mutter, making a big deal about looking over the crowd.

“We don’t really need stealth, Damiana. What we need are answers.” Calix leans his arm behind me on the bar.

“Well, if they’re up to shady shit, and they realize we’re on to them, it could foil our plans.” I look up at him and smile like I’m really just flirting with Calix.

He grins down at me. “Foil our plans for what—world domination?” I can tell he’s teasing me and my excitement.

“No, but if they’re hurting my friends, I’m going to stop them.” Who’s to say they wouldn’t go after Uncle or Theius the next time they need a boost of magic.

Grim bumps into my side. I look over and see a tall redhead sidled up a little too close to him for comfort. Without thinking, I reach across Grim’s body, place my hand on her hip, and shove her away. “Mine.”

The redhead gapes at me, her pretty mouth hanging open as if she can’t believe my audacity. “Move along.” I shoo her with my fingers and wrap my arm around Grim’s back, tugging him closer. Grim turns so the front of his body is flush to my side. I give his butt a nice little pat as a reward. There’s no way I’m going to let someone else touch him. They don’t know it yet—hell, I’m not even sure when I decided it—but some part of me did choose all three of them as mine.

I wrap my other arm around Calix just for good measure. I don’t need anyone getting any ideas.

“Comfortable, queenie?” Calix asks. I give his ass a pinch in response. “Don’t distract me. I’m working.” He bursts out laughing, attracting way more attention than we need. Vanessa even looks over at our group, and her brow furrows.

“Great.” I scowl.

“What’s wrong, bad blood?” Calix’s hand goes to my shoulder near Grim.

“No. I’ve just never liked her. Now I know why,” I theorize, but it’s probably just an excuse. Even if she weren’t a witch, I still wouldn’t like her.

“She’s the head of the coven,” Grim comments, as if he’s answering his own question.

“Shush,” I warn, and look around. We’re still drawing some attention. It would probably be hard not to, with two gorgeous guys and a woman between them. I bet they’re wondering what we look like when we fuck, importing our faces into the countless pornos they watch.