he’d said the night before, about how his apartment was just a place to rest his head. “You’re really not planning to move back in with your clan, ever?”
Zayne shook his head. “No.”
“Is it because of me and the bond?”
“The moment I moved out, I knew I wasn’t coming back. Who I was when I lived there, within those walls, under that roof and with my clan?” he said. “I’m not him anymore, and that has nothing to do with being your Protector.”
I mulled that over. “Because of your father and...and what happened with Layla?”
“Yeah, because of that, but there are also too many things I don’t agree with to be a part of them like I was before. And they know that. Many of them don’t trust me anymore, and obviously, I don’t trust a lot of them, either. Me leaving was the best answer.”
He was talking about his stance on demons. I could see how that would drive a major wedge between him and the other Wardens, even though Nicolai seemed more open-minded.
Well, Nicolai didn’t spit and do the sign of the Holy Cross when Roth’s name was brought up. Not sure if that meant he had a different stance on demons.
I also knew, beyond a doubt, that even though Zayne had basically ostracized himself from the clan and had done so the moment he’d stood with Roth and Layla, he’d still have any of those Wardens’ backs.
Dolly Daisy the waitress returned with the check. Her body angled toward Zayne, her back to me as she propped a hip against the table.
I made a face at Zayne that he either didn’t see or ignored.
“Take as long as you want.” She placed the bill folder on the table, which Zayne grabbed immediately, opening it. “And if you need anything, you just let me know. I’ll be happy to help you.”
Zayne saw it the moment I did. Even I couldn’t mistake what rested on the bill. A card with a number written on it in large bubbly handwriting, next to a name I couldn’t read. The only thing missing was the imprint of her never-fading bright red lips.
Holy flying gargoyles everywhere, I couldn’t believe what I’d witnessed.
The waitress just gave him her number in front of me! For a moment I was simply stunned, and I wanted to laugh, except I was—well, I was offended. Granted, this woman might be old enough to have legit birthed me, but she looked damn good for her age, and from what I could tell of her makeup, it was on point. The grown-ass woman was a stunner, but even if she thought I was yesterday’s trash, that was a bold move.
I reacted without thinking—without waiting to see what Zayne’s response would be. Impulsivity, as per usual, got the best of me.
“Hi,” I said loudly. “Daisy? Dolly?”
The woman turned to me, eyebrow raised quizzically. “My name is Debbie, sweetie. Did you need anything?”
“Well, my name is not sweetie.” I smiled at her. “Did you just give him your phone number?”
Her mouth opened.
“With me sitting right here, on a date with him?” I continued. The woman’s tanned cheeks deepened to a rosy color while Zayne emanated a strange choking sound. She opened her mouth. “I’m all about ra-ra women empowerment, embracing our sexual needs and all that good stuff, but try respecting your fellow sisters first and that was not at all respectful.”
Debbie stood there, arms lowering to her sides. I looked at Zayne. One hand was curved over his mouth as he stared at the table.
“You want to add something to the conversation?” I paused, eyes narrowing. “Honey?”
“Oh, no. I think you’ve just about covered it.” He lowered his hand and looked up, eyes dancing. “You can keep the number. I’m not going to need it.”
Debbie didn’t pick up her card. She muttered, “Excuse me,” under her breath and hurried off as fast as her heels would carry her.
“Well,” Zayne said, drawing my attention. “I doubt she’ll do that again.”
“Probably not.” Reaching across the table, I picked up the card. “You want it?”
“No.” He laughed quietly.
“You sure?” I tossed the card to his side of the table. “I can’t believe she did that. She didn’t know who I was. If I was your girlfriend or not.”
“Maybe she thought you were my friend,” he said, sending me a long sideways look. “Or maybe my sister?”
I gaped at him. “Seriously?”
He laughed. “I’m kidding.”
My eyes narrowed once more. “Ha. Ha.”
“Seriously, though, it was rude, and I was