19-A MOOD

Morning didn’t ease in so much as drag me into it, kicking and screaming, my mood already foul and demanding coffee before I could even begin to deal with the world.

My shoulder throbbed where Bianca’s teeth had sunk into me, the dull pulse refusing to fade, and I couldn’t help thinking the bitch was probably rabid, which meant I’d need Luke to tell me whether I needed a shot for anything more than my pride.

I pushed myself upright, swung my legs over the side of the bed, and scrubbed a hand down my face as I let out a slow breath.

“Yeah,” I muttered, my voice rough, “today’s going to be a mood.”

By the time I made it out back, the edge had dulled just enough that I probably wouldn’t stab the first person who spoke to me, which was fortunate for Hurricane Hale, who had already claimed his usual spot on the edge of the porch like he had been there all night, a cigarette hanging loosely between his fingers as he watched the world with detached amusement.

“You look like hell,” he said.

“I feel worse,” I shot back, side-eyeing him with a grimace.

“That bad, huh?”

“Let’s just say I didn’t get the lovely evening I was aiming for.”

He shrugged unfazed.

“It happens when you hang out with blood suckers.”

I snorted, shaking my head.

“Do you just hang out here catching all the gossip?”

“When you live looking over your shoulder, you learn to listen,” he replied, taking a slow drag. “And for what it’s worth, I like you, so be careful around Blackhand, because they don’t play nice, and I know exactly how far that goes.”

He took a drag like it was the least concerning thing in the world.

“I’m starting to figure that out.”

“So what did you actually do that’s got all those feds after you?”

His gaze flicked to me then, something sharper slipping through the humor for just a second.

“Let’s just say I’ve got a talent for online crime.”

“Hacking,” I said.

“That’s one word for it.”

“And the other.”

“I helped myself to things people were trying very hard to keep.”

I paused, narrowing my eyes.

“That’s not exactly a glowing character reference.”

“Who said I was aiming for one?”

Despite myself, I let out a small laugh, pushing away from the railing.

I watched him for a second, the ease of him settling into the morning in a way that almost made me forget the knot sitting in my chest.

“You’re a wolf,” I said.

“Last time I checked.”

I huffed a quiet laugh.

“I’m working the bar today,” I said, pushing away from the counter. “If you want to make yourself useful, there’s a busted engine out back.”

He slid off the bench, crushing the cigarette into the dirt.

“I do enjoy being useful,” he said as he moved past me.

“Don’t take anything that doesn’t belong to you.”

“No promises, but I've seen what you and the Prez did to Snake. Don’t think I’ll push my luck.”

I walked into the bar it was stone-cold, dead.

Even Dave and Brian were missing, which felt like a sign I wasn’t sure I liked.

Luke was already grabbing his jacket as I moved behind the bar.

“I’m heading over to check on Viv,” he said. “Get that front door fixed.”

“I’ll call her while it's quiet,” I replied.

He gave me a look before heading out.

“You okay here?”

“I’ve got it.”

The door shut behind him, leaving me alone again.

I pulled out my phone and hit Viv’s number.

She answered on the fourth ring.

“You okay?”

“Yeah,” she said, sounding better than I expected. “I’m taking the kids to my ma’s for a few days, get them out of here for a bit.”

“That’s a good call.”

“Can you cover my shifts?” she asked. “I need the money, but after last night… I need a couple of days to regather.”

“I’ve got it,” I said. “Don’t worry about the bar.”

She let out a breath.

“I’m sorry, I feel like this is somehow my fault.”

“Don’t start that,” I said, leaning against the counter. “This is on me and my absolutely terrible taste in men.”

She laughed softly.

“I must be a bad influence.”

“You definitely are. Call me if you need anything, or if any bitchy bloodsuckers show up.” I said.

“I will. Be careful, okay. I don’t trust her one bit. She’s evil.”

“Always Viv. Take care.”

I hung up and set the phone down, exhaling slowly as the silence gnawed at me.

If the bar wanted quiet, I’d give it something else. I  kicked the jukebox into life, then set about cleaning. Not the usual surface-level tidy, but a full deep clean, pulling bottles down, rearranging shelves, and scrubbing everything until it shone. It was weirdly satisfying.

My phone buzzed.

I ignored it.

I kept moving, wiping down the counter, stacking glasses, anything to keep my hands busy.

It buzzed again.

I glanced down.

Kaelyn.

I stared at the name for a second before unlocking it.

Kaelyn:

We need to talk.

then…

Kaelyn:

Don’t ignore me.

A humourless breath slipped out of me as I set the phone down again and reached for another glass, scrubbing it harder than necessary before finally giving in.

Rose:

I’m busy working.

The reply came instantly.

Kaelyn:

You don’t get to walk away from me.

I leaned back against the counter, staring at the message.

Rose:

I already did.

Kaelyn:

This is not finished.

My jaw tightened.

Rose:

We are. Go back to your mate.

The reply came slower this time.

Kaelyn:

She’s not my mate. She works for me.

I stilled, just for a second, then my fingers furiously moved over the keyboard.

Rose:

Funny, because she seemed very sure last night that you would end up back in her bed. AS HER MATE!

I held myself back from saying more.

Then.

Kaelyn:

The only woman I want in my bed is you. If you didn’t want me, you wouldn't have kissed me.

 

Heat coiled low in my stomach despite the irritation that flared right alongside it.

Rose:

Excuse me, you are the one who kissed me first. I was just being polite.

The response came quicker now.

Kaelyn:

There was nothing polite about that kiss. Meet with me.

 

I stared at the screen, my pulse doing something I didn’t appreciate.

Rose:

And I walked away.

 

“Unbelievable,” I muttered, scrubbing a glass harder than necessary.

Kaelyn:

I will come to you then.

 

I didn’t answer, I couldn’t.

Instead, I locked the phone and shoved it face down on the counter.

“No,” I muttered to myself. “We’re done.”

The words felt wrong as I said them.

I pushed away from the counter and grabbed another bottle, forcing myself back into motion.

The door jingled.

A cold draft swept through the room, sharp enough that my senses snapped to attention, every instinct tightening before my mind caught up.

I whipped my head around and froze.

A man stood in the doorway, the light cutting around his silhouette so that I couldn’t see his face clearly.

He didn’t move, just stood there staring.

I didn’t need to see him clearly to know exactly who it was.