Sara Humphreys - Vampire Trouble

The only other item she wore was that emerald and gold necklace. Shane’s brow furrowed, recalling the single image he saw when drank Maya’s blood. He made a mental note to ask her about the old woman later. Perhaps Maya would feel safer if she could remember more about her past.

“Enjoying the view?” Rat asked. Sitting down at Shane’s table, he was clearly annoyed by the sentry’s presence.

“What can I do for you?” Shane asked without taking his eyes off Maya.

“Always a great conversationalist, aren’t you, Quesada?” Rat leaned back in his chair and laughed. “I thought you’d like to know that I just got a phone call from our wolf friends. They’re on their way over.”

“A phone call?” Shane’s brows knit together. “I didn’t realize you were in direct contact with them.”

“Viola gave me her boyfriend’s phone number so I could make sure I had a table ready when they arrived.” Rat’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t make a big thing out of it.”

“Yes, well, since you seem to be their NYC contact, it would be prudent to remind them that they should take time out of their visit to pay their respects to the czars.” Shane removed a business card from his shirt pocket and slid it across the table to Rat, who smirked when he picked it up and inspected it. “They can contact the czars’ secretary, Suzie, and she will arrange it for them.”

“Right.” Rat stuck the card in his jacket pocket. “From what Viola tells me, Horace isn’t much for pomp and circumstance. He’s second in line to the throne, and from what I gather, he leaves that official crap to his older brother. The heir gets all the work and the spare gets to party. You ask me, I’d rather be the spare.”

“Be that as it may,” Shane said evenly, “not paying their respects to the czars would be frowned upon. I can’t imagine King Heinrich would appreciate that. It’s bad enough they didn’t formally announce their visit.”

“I’ll be sure to relay the message.” Rat ran one hand over his bald head. “It’s not like they’re sticking to some formal schedule, man. Apparently they got sidetracked and arrived in the city later than they anticipated. I have a few of the girls setting up a VIP table for them now.”

Shane turned his gaze to Rat’s briefly before glancing at the two women, both human and scantily clad, who were scurrying around and setting up a table for six at the front edge of the stage. They were giggling and whispering to each other while they arranged the chairs. Shane could only assume that one of them was Viola, the woman Rat had mentioned last night, most likely the redhead who kept glancing at the door in clear anticipation.

“Thank you, Rat.” Shane turned his attention back to Maya, who was flirting with two human men seated at the bar and giving her their full attention. “I’ll be sure to let the czars know how forthcoming you’ve continued to be.”

“Well, it’s the least I can do, seeing how Olivia let the hot, little blond come work for me. When word gets out that she’s working here, my profits are gonna shoot through the fuckin’ roof. If I can get her to dance then I’ll make a fortune.”

Shane’s arm shot out like a lightning bolt, and he grabbed Rat by the lapel of his cheap jacket. Pulling the club owner to his feet, Shane leaned across the table and got right in Rat’s face. TJ appeared behind Rat in support of his boss but refrained from making a move when Shane caught the bouncer’s eye and shook his head slowly. TJ may have been a strong vampire, but Shane was older and a sentry for the Presidium. Attacking him would have far-reaching ramifications.

“Relax, TJ,” Shane murmured without breaking eye contact with Rat. “Your boss needs to hear something, and I need to be absolutely certain he hears it. I wouldn’t want there to be any… miscommunication between us.”

“Jeez, Quesada,” Rat said through a nervous laugh. He put his hands up in surrender, but Shane didn’t release him. “What are you so damn touchy about?”

“Maya will not dance here and remove what little clothing she is wearing. She is here to tend bar and pour drinks.” He lowered his voice to a dangerous level and tightened his grip. “And that’s it. Are we clear?”

“Crystal.” Rat laughed nervously and looked around the club.

The customers and the employees, including Maya, were looking on with obvious concern. Shane glanced at her briefly to see an annoyed look on her face. Then, like a warm summer breeze, her voice drifted into his mind. Let him go, Shane. I really hope whatever is going on over there has nothing to do with me . A gentle, comforting sensation of warmth spread through his chest and radiated down his arms and legs when the sweet sound of her voice filled his head.

“Excellent.” Shane released the lapels of Rat’s jacket and sat casually in his chair as though nothing had happened. “Now, I think it would be best if you tended to your customers and left me to my business. And I’m sure I don’t need to remind you not to alert the wolves to my presence. Agreed?”

“Agreed.” Rat adjusted his jacket and walked toward the VIP table, with TJ close behind. “Enjoy the show, Quesada.”

A new song came blaring through the speakers, and as if on cue, the front door of the club swung open and the pack of werewolves walked through the door.

The one in front was the alpha of the group and had to be Horace. He was short and stocky, probably no more than five foot eight, but he looked to be solid muscle, which was common for their kind. Shane’s body went rigid while he studied each of the pack members carefully. But as intent as he was on the wolves, he didn’t miss Maya’s wide-eyed stare. She watched the six of them stride into the club with awe and, he hoped, a bit of healthy fear.

Rat greeted Horace with a warm, welcoming handshake and pat on the shoulder, like they were old friends. Watching the exchange, Shane’s eyes narrowed, and every alarm bell in his head went off. Rat had said he was getting information through the dancer and had only spoken with Horace tonight. But based on the body language, these two men knew each other and had met before. There was a comfort level between the two that left Shane with a strong sense of wariness.

Rat gestured toward the VIP table, and the pack followed him over. Viola, the redhead who set up the table, ran over and practically jumped on the tallest fellow at the back of the group. He greeted her, but not with the warmth of a lover, and when she hugged him, the man locked eyes with Shane. He released the girl and whispered something to Horace. Knowing he’d been made as a vampire, Shane tilted his head and raised his beer bottle. Horace remained stone-faced and turned his attention back to the group at his table.

A few moments later, the lights flickered, music blared, and a young woman took the stage.

As the evening wore on, the wolves ordered copious amounts of alcohol and were clearly getting wasted. The night was proving to be even more aggravating, because Maya had started coming out from behind the bar and hand-delivering the drinks to the VIP table.

Much to Shane’s chagrin, Horace had begun paying more attention to Maya than the women who were taking off their clothes. He couldn’t really blame the wolf. Maya was beautiful, and every sexy inch of her was accentuated by the miniscule dress and sky-high heels she wore. Her legs seemed to go on forever.

What are you doing? Edged with obvious irritation, Shane’s voice touched Maya’s mind sharply. You are supposed to be tending bar, not catering to this pack of animals.

I’m working, and Rat asked me to do it. Placing a drink in front of Horace, she kept speaking with him. It’s not a big deal. Just relax.