Chapter 24

Quickly checking the IDs, Darien nodded and let the couple pass. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched Remi drag Berk back into the middle of the dance floor. The young wolf didn’t look all that happy to be dancing for what was probably the fifteenth dance. Glancing over at the bar, he waited until Pascal looked over. Lifting his hands, he sent the vampire a ‘what gives’ look. He’d been making Remi drinks for the last two hours and she’d been slamming them back, one right after the other. Pascal gave him a helpless look, he may be an old vampire, but Remi was the boss.

Shaking his head, he turned to watch her again. Watching her dance was a form of torture for him. He wanted to go out on the floor and drag her against his body or pick her up and carry her upstairs. It wasn’t right that every move she made jolted awareness straight to his groin. Clenching his jaw, he looked around the bar, he wasn’t the only male that noticed how she moved—more than once he had to glare at Finn when he paused to observe her.

Emery walked by with a tray of drinks and gave Darien a worried look. None of them were used to Remi drinking. One drink was usually where she stopped. The only staff that didn’t seem concerned were Elise and Vienna, and he didn’t know why.

Turning when the door opened, he nodded to the two regulars that were walking in. The song ended and he almost sighed in relief when Berk grabbed her arm and pulled her off the dance floor. The young wolf sent him a quick look that Darien wasn’t sure if was pleading mercy and asking for help, or if Darien was going to owe him for trying to keep her out of trouble.

Pascal leaned down and handed her another drink, sending him a quick, apologetic look.

“She needs to blow off some steam, Darien.”

He briefly looked at Vienna beside him. “I’ve never seen her drink this much before.” He rubbed his jaw and looked around the bar checking that everyone was behaving.

“A lot has happened in the last week that’s never happened before.” She rearranged the glasses on her tray. Not waiting for him to reply, she moved through the crowd to deliver an order.

Sighing, he rolled his shoulders and fought to keep his feet planted where they were. He, more than most, understood the need to have a few stiff drinks to blur reality, but he couldn’t help feeling it was his fault that she was going overboard. Until he’d told her they were mates, she’d been pretty good at keeping her head up and taking everything on the chin.

Checking to make sure they were still sitting at the bar, he watched her laugh and Berk grin. Berk was damn lucky he was gay, or Darien wouldn’t be able to tolerate their closeness. Even with the young wolf’s sexual orientation, he still felt twinges of jealousy watching them dance and sit close to each other.

Before he could look away, Remi turned and looked right at him. There was a look on her face he couldn’t decipher from where he stood. Finn came over, guiding a customer to the door. With a nod, Darien opened the door and gently nudged them to walk out on their own accord. Closing the door, he turned around to see Remi lean closer to Berk and say something. With a grin on his face, Berk nodded and then toasted in his direction. Frowning, he glanced around again. At least the crowd was calmer tonight, he didn’t know how well he’d manage any troublemakers considering the mood he was in.

The group in the corner was suspiciously quiet tonight, which he thought was odd, considering he usually had to issue more than one warning glare each time they were here. He glanced around. For the second night of the moon, it was too quiet. Suspecting the news of the murders and the pending arrival of the council causing his unusually quiet night, he crossed his arms and took his regular stance beside the door.

He’s never had this much trouble focusing on his job. Before he could think, he caught himself looking back over in the direction of where she sat. When she jumped up and grabbed Finn’s arm, he had to bite back a growl. Shit. Finn glanced over his shoulder at him. Turning, he caught Emery’s attention and motioned him over. Nodding, he came over. “Watch the door.”

With long strides, he went over and leaned on the bar, getting Pascal’s attention.

Pascal glided down and lowered his head.

“What is she drinking?” He glanced down at her again.

“Lady’s choice.” Pascal nodded to a customer to acknowledge them.

“What’s that?” Darien watched Finn walk away from her.

“A watered-down version of a python.”

Straightening, Darien looked at him. “How many has she had?”

Lifting his arms, Pascal looked down toward her again. “I didn’t know I needed to count how many.” Leaning closer, he looked right at him. “She needs to let her hair down tonight. It’s been a hell of a week for her.”

Sighing, Darien shook his head and started to walk in her direction. He needed her to go upstairs so other males couldn’t see her, so he could do his job. When he was a few feet away from her, she grinned and then sprung at him, wrapping her arms around his neck. He wanted to pick her up and carry her upstairs, and if he didn’t keep his distance, he’d be doing just that. Gripping her waist, he couldn’t help but fall into hers.