Royce knew exactly what she would do next. She would huff right back into the bar where a battle between Vampires and Werewolves could erupt at any moment.
“Joanna,” Royce conceded defeat. “I could use some help here.”
No sooner were the words were uttered, than Becki stopped fighting and started snoring.
Landon had noticed that Royce and Becki seemed to be in a heated discussion when he parked his vehicle. He had intended to take care of the Vampire problem, and then check on Becki. His Wolf had other ideas, however, and had insisted that they check on Becki first. Landon had argued that she was with Royce and would be safe until they had their business taken care of. realized that it would be impossible to deal with peacefully if his Wolf was pacified. He stationed his three buddies at the bar to keep an eye on things and promised to return as quickly as possible.
Royce sighed and rubbed his temples. Becki must have been serious about getting drunk tonight. He hoped he never had to deal with her in that state again.
Landon scented high levels of adrenalin as he approached Royce’s vehicle. He knocked on the hood, to alert Royce of his presence as he made his way to Royce’s side of the vehicle.
“Everything ok here?” Landon asked as Royce lowered his window.
Royce didn’t bother to deny the tension radiating from his body. He knew Landon had already scented Becki’s distress. And, truthfully, he was too mentally exhausted to be anything but honest. Landon soon the Vampires
“Not now, but it will be,” Royce assured him. “As soon as she is sober enough to understand that the ‘bitch’ she saw me with downtown was not another woman I’m involved with, but my sister.”
“Ah,” Landon nodded, “that explains it. She’s pissed?”
“Crazy pissed,” Royce answered. “The fact that she tried to drown her sorrows in a gallon of Crown didn’t help the situation.”
Landon patted the hood of Royce’s car, “You better get her out of here. I’m not sure how things will go down in there.”
“She will be at the condo with me, if anyone is looking for her,” he said with a look in his eyes that dared Landon to protest.
London stared intently for a moment, nodded once, and turned toward the bar. Before he had taken more than a few steps, he turned back with a warning for Royce, “Make sure you know what you are doing. She is very precious to me.”
Royce acknowledged Landon’s words with a nod, “Understood. Just so you know… she’s very precious to me as well.”
Landon spun on his heel and disappeared into the Pub.
Royce heard a soft Witchy chuckle. “Jo, when I get back to the condo, we are going to have a talk about respecting each other’s privacy,” he threatened. Like that would work. She really needed some kids of her own so she could meddle in their lives and leave his alone.
#
Landon strolled casually back into the bar. Chance, Bradley, and Devon were leaning against the bar seemingly uninterested in the Vamps at a nearby table. They were in deep conversation with the guy Sean had described as Trevor Simmons.
He casually grabbed the beer waiting for him and headed over to join the party at Trevor’s table. As Landon and his friends approached, the Vampires rose swiftly to their feet, fangs flashing.
“Sit down,” Landon warned quietly. “We aren’t looking for trouble here tonight. This is a public place. We just want to talk.”
Because he was flanked by three massive bodies with yellow eyes and fangs of their own, the Vamps heeded his advice and sank warily into their seats.
Trevor inclined his head toward the remaining chair at their table, indicating that Landon should join them.
Borrowing chairs from nearby tables, his three companions created a protective semi-circle behind Landon.
“Why are you in town?” Landon asked the Vampires directly.
“Doing a little treasure hunt--” Rouel began.
“These are friends of mine,” Trevor interrupted, shooting a meaningful glance to Rouel. “Eric and Rouel are just passing through. Don’t worry. They aren’t here to sample the local flavor, right guys?”
“Right,” they agreed. Eric’s response was a little more convincing than Rouel’s.
Leaning forward, Landon made eye contact first with Eric and finally Rouel. “You do realize this is Moultrie Pack territory?” At their nod, Landon continued, “Make no mistake; treaty notwithstanding, we will be watching both of you closely. If you make one wrong move, heads will roll… literally,” Landon promised.
With that being said, he rose to his feet, swung