Chapter 29

Remi turned when Finn came into the kitchen.

“I don’t know what I missed, but that lady vamp is seething.”

Baker chuckled. “I caught part of it. Remi put her in her place so she wouldn’t grope Pascal.”

Grabbing a bottle of water, Remi leaned back against the fridge and opened it. “She wasn’t trying to grope Pascal; she was getting in his space.”

Finn handed Baker an order. “It must have been something to behold; Em is all puffed up with his that’s-my-mom strut.”

Taking a drink, she capped the bottle and went over to the window to see if everyone was tolerating their guests. They had taken a corner booth and, for the most part, looked like regular customers, all except Elaine, who was pouting. It surprised her that Randell and Kyran were sitting with them. “When did Dell get here?”

Finn paused near the door. “About fifteen minutes ago. Apparently, some are going down to the morgue to check the bodies.”

A shudder went through her. “Fun times.”

“Hopefully, they take grumpy with them,” Finn mumbled as he went back out.

Moving along the window, Remi checked on her staff. Vie and Elise didn’t seem to be put off their grove by the newcomers. Then again, Elise was a water nymph and somewhat revered by all clans and races, so they wouldn’t do anything but respect her. Vie actually seemed to be having more fun than normal.

Baker leaned against the window and looked out. “Vie is having a blast playing head games with the mage.” He said it matter of factly.

“Really?” Looking over to the booth, she saw that Brome was following her head waitress with his eyes, a smirk on his face. “Well, hopefully, he survives it.”

Baker snorted and turned back to the fryer. “It’s kind of cool that we need to fear for the council’s safety from fellow employees.”

Smirking, Remi realized it was entertaining. “Wait until they meet Iris.”

He laughed. “I might have to come in for breakfast to experience that in person.”

When she turned back, Pascal’s face appeared in the window. She yelped in surprise.

“Have I told you how much I adore you?” He smiled at her.

“Because I saved you from the dragon lady?” She leaned on the edge and grinned back at him.

Lifting one eyebrow, he nodded. “That’s just a plus.” Stepping back, he inclined his head in a regal way. “I would go to battle under your reign any day.” With that, he was gone again.

Glancing over her shoulder, she looked at Baker.

He shrugged. “I don’t know about going into battle, but I’ll get Berk to bitch slap anyone that pisses you off.”

“You’re my hero, Baker.”

He laughed. “I know, right? I’m the real deal.”

When she looked back, Emery was walking by the bar with a big grin on his face. It made her feel good that he was proud of her. Looking over at the door, she saw that Darien was looking right at her. How did he always know when she was watching him? Winking at him, she watched the slow smile appear on his sexy face.

His uncle was standing beside him and looked over, then said something to his nephew. Darien’s smile was gone and quickly replaced by a scowl as he shook his head.

“I didn’t know Darien had an uncle,” she said more to herself.

“Who is part giant, I think,” Baker quipped over her shoulder. “Thank mother nature for making Darien just large and not freakishly large size.”

Remi shrugged. “I like Darien’s size just fine.”

Scrunching up his face, Baker glared at her. “Wrong brother. I don’t want to talk size with you.”

“I didn’t mean…”

“Attis told me if I wanted a good strong tea, I’d find it in the kitchen.”

Jolting, Remi turned around and looked up at Garrett. “Sure, let me put the kettle on.” Turning, she went over and pulled the old teapot Darien had insisted be part of any kitchen off the shelf and filled the kettle. Grabbing the box of tea bags, she dropped four into the pot. Darien said that was the only way to make tea.

Garrett nodded his approval. “My nephew has taught you to make tea.”

She smiled. “Yes, we learned early on that if you put only one tea bag in, that was unacceptable.”

He smiled, and she could see the family resemblance then. “It’s the Irish in the blood.”

“Is that where the rest of your family is?” Crossing her arms, she leaned back against the counter.

“Darien doesn’t talk about his kin?” He looked disappointed.

“Not much, no.”

A thoughtful look appeared in his eyes. “They didn’t part on the best of terms.” He glanced at the kettle as it reached a boil.

Turning, she poured the water into the pot.

“For the most part, the family remains in Ireland, but there are several branches in the States and Canada now.”

When she turned, he was standing much closer. She looked at Baker, unsure, and then turned back to stir the tea bags around in the pot.

“You’ll have to allow me to be the prying Uncle, neacht.” He paused and smiled. “Ah, niece, but why are you still unclaimed?” A serious look of concern was in his soft brown eyes.

Biting her lip, she didn’t know what to say. “I just found out that I was his mate.”

He gave her a shocked look. “Really? He’s been able to deny it that long?” There was disappointment in his tone.

Turning back to the tea, she poured a cup and turned and held it out to him. He nodded his thanks and then took a sip.

“Ah, that’s nice.” Setting the cup on the counter, he leaned down closer to her. “If you like, neacht, I could force the issue with my rebellious Darien, and he would have to claim you as his own.”

“Uh,” Baker leaned around the huge man blocking Remi’s view of him, “pretty sure the big guy has no problem with claiming her.”

Garrett stepped back out of her space and studied her. “You have denied him?”

Remi made a mental note to corner Darien the first chance she had and find out more about the do’s and don’ts of mating. She was starting to feel like she was floundering around, trying not to sink. “I…maybe you’d better ask Darien to explain.”

Looking at her for a long uncomfortable moment, he abruptly nodded. “Damn right, I will.” He growled and walked out of the kitchen.

Wincing, Remi looked at Baker to see his eyes as worried as her own. “I think that went badly.”

Baker nodded quickly as they both rushed to the window to see Darien and his uncle face to face. Remi couldn’t hear what was being said, but she did see that Darien’s eyes were yellow. “Crap.” Rushing toward the door, she didn’t have a chance to get out of it before Attis came in and blocked her from going out front.

“I think” —he reached over and brushed the hair over her shoulder— “you should stay right here for a few moments.”

Glaring at him, she rolled her eyes. “Don’t give me the little woman thing. Move, Attis.”

Sighing in a dramatic way, he inclined his head and stepped aside. By the time she rounded the counter, she could see a small crowd around the two seething werewolves. Glancing to the side, she spotted Pascal leaning back with an amused look on his face. “You could help.”

He laughed. “I’m old, not senile. I’m not stepping between two growling werewolves.”

Hissing out a breath, she jogged to the door and pushed her way through the crowd. Emery grabbed her arm; the look she gave had him hold up his hands like he’d been stung.

Pushing her way between the two, she glared up at Garrett, ignoring the sharp teeth and neon yellow of his eyes, as she smacked her hand against Darien’s chest, which she noted was more muscular than normal. “Enough.” Yellow eyes looked down at her, surprise lighting them. “Both of you knock it off. Now.”

Remi knew she might live, or not, to regret her next move, but Serenity was hers, Darien too, and for his uncle to cause this disruption was intolerable. She shoved a hand against Garrett’s chest while holding Darien’s look. “Calm down,” she said as softly as she could manage, knowing full well that both would be able to hear over all the noise.

“It’s over. Everyone…back to your fun.” Attis appeared beside them, blocking the view of most of the gawkers. “The next round of drinks is on me.” He purred. Just that fast, the group broke up and went toward the bar. Glancing at her, his eyes moved from one man to the other. “You good?”

Remi nodded, still holding Darien’s look. “I got this.” Sliding her hand up Darien’s chest, she tried to stay calm. “You’re scaring the shit out of me, Dare,” she whispered.

Garrett stepped back, letting her hand fall away. “I doubt that.” He said in a gravelly voice and walked out the door.

Darien inhaled deeply, his eyes starting to go back to normal as he did. With more force than he’d normally use, he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her tight against him. Resting her head against his shoulder, she let out a slow breath and closed her eyes for a second.

“Amazing.”

Opening her eyes, she saw Brome and Leontes beside them. Brome was smiling at her.

Leontes looked at Darien and then back to her. “Calming two weres, that’s quite the feat, Miss Foster.”

Remi shrugged as much as she could in the tight hold Darien had on her. “No one fights in Serenity.”

The old vampire’s lashes lowered, and then he inclined his head.

Brome motioned beside him. “The Detective is taking a few of us to check the bodies.”

Remi glanced at Randell and Kyran. Kyran was smirking. Randell had a look of disgust on his face, his eyes moving from her to the werewolf holding her.

“Okay,” she said like it was a normal conversation.

Darien pulled her back away from the door but continued to hold her close and inhale slowly. “Sorry,” he whispered next to her ear.

Rubbing her hand in a circle on her chest, she looked up into his dark eyes. “It’s fine. I don’t think your uncle understands, that’s all.”

He snorted. “You’re ...” He tensed.

Turning, she watched Brome, Randell, Elaine, and Alaric leave. Randell and Elaine’s expressions mirrored each other, bitter and irritable. Two of a kind, she thought. Remi lowered her head so she wouldn’t smirk in their direction.

“I need…” Darien growled softly and released her. Grasping her hand, he walked through the crowd, making her almost run to keep up. Shoving into the kitchen, he kept tugging her along as he went into the back room.

“Dare…”

He spun and pushed her against the wall, covering her mouth with his in one fluid motion. Remi’s whole body responded as he attacked her mouth, and she struggled to keep up with him. Grasping the back of her head, he growled against her mouth, and her knees weakened as the sound vibrated through her.

Lifting his head, he rested his forehead against hers, keeping her tight against his body. “Sorry,” he gasped and panted.

Swallowing, Remi tried to regain her breath. “For kissing me?”

Darien grinned. “No.” Brushing a soft kiss against her mouth, he leaned back. “For losing it twice.”

Exhaling loudly, she leaned against the wall and rested her hands on his shoulders. “Well, I much prefer the second loss of control over the first.”

Shaking his head, he studied her for a moment. “I can’t believe you stepped between us.”

Eyes wide, she sobered. “Me either.”

“Still, I can’t believe my beast listened without hesitation.” He grinned, “And my uncle,” he blew out a breath, “that’s something right there.”

Remi chewed on her lip and thought about it for a moment. “Well, I think he was trying to bait you on purpose.”

Closing his eyes, his jaw tense, he shrugged. “It wouldn’t surprise me.”

Poking him in the chest, he opened them and looked at her again. “Later, you and I are going to discuss you leaving out the fact that your uncle was council.”

“I planned to tell you last night,” he smirked, “but someone decided to drink a little too much.”

“Oh sure, blame me.” She laughed and reached up to brush the hair out of his eyes. “Are you okay now?”

His eyes darkened as he looked at her mouth. “For the most part.”

“Good, let’s go see if we can get through this night.” He stepped back and gave her more space. “I’m really curious what they’re going to figure out at the morgue.”

She stepped into the kitchen and was swept off her feet in a hug from Emery. Setting her back down quickly, he grinned down at her. “You rock.”

Laughing, she shoved at his chest. “Remember that when I make you scrub the washrooms next time.”

Emery’s jaw dropped. “That would just be mean.” Throwing his hands up, he shook his head. “There are germs and stuff. I could get sick.”

Remi laughed. “You’re a vampire.”

“Hey, it could happen.” He turned and exited the kitchen without another word.

Darien chuckled from behind her. “Probably the first ergophobic vampire in history.”

“Lucky me,” she sighed, with a smile on her face.