“It doesn’t.” The smug look on his face said otherwise.
“I don’t believe you.”
We approached the front door as Salem reached for my hand and held it, squeezing tight. He didn’t let go as we entered, and the bar quieted down to a dull roar.
“No humans,” the bartender replied gruffly.
“She isn’t. This is my ––”
“Sexy little pet,” a deep male voice interrupted. “Salem Black. It’s been far too long.”
We spun and my jaw dropped. The man in front of me was dark-skinned and shirtless with a physique chiseled from solid obsidian. His muscles flexed as he moved closer and I couldn’t resist staring at the perfection of each and every smooth inch of his skin. Taller than every other being in the establishment, he towered over Salem like some vengeful god. It wasn’t the incredible body and handsome features of his face that drew my attention. It was the set of horns protruding just above his forehead on either side of his temples, colored a dark crimson. His deep silvery-gray eyes held my attention once I was brave enough to lift my head high. I was spellbound.
Salem jerked my body closer and snarled slightly.
“Sorry, old friend. I forget that I tend to draw female appreciation.”
“Drew,” Salem grunted as we followed the creature to a booth at the back of the room.
“To what do I owe the pleasure?” Drew turned and smiled, flashing dazzling white teeth as he held out his hand. “May I know your name, goddess?”
Huh? Blinking, I completely forgot the English language.
“Her name is Piper,” Salem growled, “And she’s mine.”
Drew held up his hands, laughing. “I see that.” His gaze focused on my forehead for a few seconds. “I stake no claim. It was only mild curiosity. I can’t get a read on her.”
“That’s the point.”
Drew chuckled, sitting back as he crossed his arms over his massive chest. “Keeping her all to yourself and safe, huh? I have to admit, I really did believe this was an act. Who knew you would find your true mate, eh, bloodsucker?”
Salem scowled. “Stick with the conversation that’s necessary. You know we’re being watched.”
“I do,” Drew acknowledged, grinning wide. “Used to be fun to put on a show.”
Salem snorted. “We weren’t the ones doing it.”
“Oh, no. Rebecca was always one for games, wasn’t she? Seen her around lately?”
“Rebecca isn’t important.”
“She used to be,” Drew pointed out, leaning forward as his hands rested on the table. “What the fuck is going on, Salem? Or should I address you as the master of district 8?”
Salem let out an annoyed hiss. “Not rising to your bait, Drew.”
“Who’s Rebecca?” My voice brought them both back to the present, almost as if they lingered in painful and distant memories.
“My cousin and a very dear friend of Salem's.”
Friend? “The friend with benefits kind of friend?” I asked, hating the blatant jealousy in my voice.
Drew chuckled. “You’ll have to ask the big vampire.”
Salem pulled me closer into his side. “Enough bullshit, Drew. I need help. Your contacts can find something out for me with their connections.”
“What would that be?”
“I’ve got a small problem,” Salem admitted, momentarily pausing the discussion as a waitress came and took our drink order. When she left, they resumed their conversation.
“What’s the issue, Black?” Drew seemed annoyed and finally asked once we were alone.
“Someone is trying to kill Piper.”
Shit! I really hated the idea that someone wanted me dead for no apparent reason.
The aloof expression on Drew’s face faltered. “Why?”
“I have no idea.” Salem turned and pressed a kiss on top of my head. “It’s okay, precious.”
How did he know how nervous and afraid I was?
Watching Salem’s actions shrewdly, Drew’s expression changed. He was a clean slate. No emotion at all. All the humor left. “You’re sure? Your halran?”
“Yes.” Salem’s voice was serious. He didn’t crack a smile.
“I see. I’ll do what I can, Salem. I can’t make any guarantees.”
“I understand.”
“Wait for me to contact you. I should know something within twenty-four human hours.”
“Agreed.”
We consumed our drinks quickly once they arrived and Salem and Drew kept the conversation trivial until we were finished. I sensed they were both holding back a great deal. Not the least of which was this Rebecca they referred to on numerous occasions.
Salem stood, holding out his hand as the two males shook and parted ways. I was tucked into Salem’s side and held there as we left the bar. He moved at a superhuman speed as we reached the car and he quickly ushered me inside, closing the door so fast I nearly jumped in the seat.
“You were awfully protective and short on temper in there,” I noted, watching his reaction as I buckled my seatbelt.
Salem gripped the steering wheel hard enough that I heard the metal groan beneath his fingers. “I don’t like exposing myself or you to my enemies.”
Enemies? I thought Drew was a friend. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing,” he growled.
“That doesn’t seem to be true,” I pointed out.
“Drop this discussion. Forget what you heard back there. It’s not important.”
“Would that include Rebecca?” It wasn’t a wise choice to mess with an angry vampire, but my curiosity was too great to ignore.
“She’s none of your concern.”
The words were harsh, and I sat back, refusing to speak the entire ride home. Salem was lost in thought and didn’t seem to notice. After all of the attentiveness lately, it was a hard pill to swallow.
The ride home was quiet, and tense and I had no one to blame but myself.
Piper had shut down after I snapped at her and she had every right to ignore my grumpy and irritated ass. I was a fool to bring her to the meeting. Drew had been enamored with her and although he said nothing about the fact that she was obviously more than a simple human, he did comment on the words written on her forehead. I claimed her as my mate in front of every supernatural in that bar and I didn’t give a shit who knew about it.
Unfortunately, Drew chose to bring up his cousin Rebecca and our amorous past which only frustrated my lovely Piper. She grew jealous and suspicious. I could feel her frustration, but it was worse when Piper’s doubt amplified inside her head. Her thoughts pissed me off. She thought I enjoyed conquests and wanted her simply to add another woman to my growing and endless list.
Anger simmered under my skin and I refused to confide in her or admit the truth. My rage was only a result of the hurt that I felt. Blinking as I drove fast down the barren highway back to my estate, I knew the only reason I was bothered was because my feelings for Piper were deep and had grown exponentially since the moment that I brought her into my home.
Once we parked, my spunky little mate left the car in a huff and I decided it was best to give her a little space. Archer shot me a questioning look while Piper headed into the massive garden that bordered the southern end of my property. She was safe enough with all the security, but I didn’t want her to be left alone for long. I ticked my head in the direction of my ghoul.