The humans talked like nothing had gone on. But every gray in the house watched Darien, and when he left, Tom and Jake would observe them next.
Silva gave her a big smile. Lelandi tried to fill a glass, but it dropped from her grasp and Sam caught it.
“You can put out some chips.” He gave her one of his wolfish grins.
Silva joined her behind the bar and tsked. “Boy, you sure have a stranglehold on that man. I keep trying to learn from your example, but I’m not sure what it is you’re doing to garner his attention. Just when I think he’s going to confine you at home, he takes you in the back room and ravishes you.” She sighed. “Now half the grays in the tavern had their eyes on that door, just waiting to see what the two of you looked like when you came out.”
Feeling sated, Lelandi poured chips into a bowl.
“Darien’s chest was so puffed out, he looked like a peacock strutting out of there. And you, well,” Silva glanced down at Lelandi’s bodice and sighed heavily again. “A fresh bloom to your cheeks and lips, your hair tousled in the throes of passionate lovemaking, and you’ve even lost your hat. In the olden days, that would have been utterly scandalous.” She laughed.
“For humans,” Lelandi reminded her, speaking low so only Silva could hear, although she imagined Sam was eavesdropping as well. “Not lupus garous.”
“Ah, but most of these yahoos didn’t know you and Darien were mated yet. Besides, he’s the pack leader. Whatever happens in regards to him is important to them. When he’s happy…” Silva shrugged. “Makes him easier to live with.”
Lelandi glanced in the mirror on the back wall. Most of her hair hung to her shoulders in curls, no longer bound.
Silva gave her a hug. “I want to know all your secrets. Julia Wildthorn has nothing on you.”
Lelandi smiled, brushed a curl of hair away from her cheek and returned to the counter. Conversation renewed and she could just bet the topic of conversation. Red wolf strikes again!
Silva ran her hand over Lelandi’s arm. “Everyone’s glad for the two of you. Darien’s come out of his dark mood, except for the other deadly business. Soon you’ll be carrying his babies and the pack will be well on its way to mend.”
“Triplets.” Carol raised her nearly empty container of bottled water, eyes glittering, but her expression was deadly serious.
Leiandi stared at her, her heart nearly stopping. What had the woman overheard? Could she really see the future? More importantly, did she know about the lupus garous?
Chapter 16
WAS THE WINE TALKING OR DID CAROL WOOD REALLY SEE things that others couldn’t? Lelandi wanted to question her further—alone, but Silva stuck close to her at the bar.
Lelandi gave a disgruntled sigh and handed her two bowls of chips. “Darien won’t let me serve anything to the tables or I’d help you out more.”
Silva gave her a smirk. “I’m used to the crowds. Think nothing of it.”
As soon as Silva skirted around the bar, Lelandi leaned over the counter and asked Carol, “Do you... see this for real?”
“What?”
Lelandi pursed her ups. “Do you see that I have triplets?”
Carol waved her hand at the tavern. “Multiple births abound in Silver Town. Darien’s a triplet. You’re a triplet. So sure, you’ll have triplets, too.”
“How did you know I was a triplet?”
Carol looked cross-eyed, then her blue eyes straightened. “Don’t you have a brother, too? I thought someone said you did.” She shrugged and rested her elbow on the counter, then leaned her head against her hand. “I think.”
Lelandi poured chips into another bowl.
“Your sister was pregnant with triplets. But you’ll be feeding yours at your breasts, juggling one after another when the time is right.”
Sam had moved closer and although he hadn’t looked In their direction, Lelandi was certain he’d heard. “You’re probably right, statistically speaking,” she said, not wanting anyone to know if Carol truly had psychic powers. But could she know anything about the tragedy that had befallen her sister? She had to find out when the woman was sober, and without big ears listening in on their conversation.
Silva came behind the bar and cast a glance in Trevor’s direction. He was looking their way, but Lelandi was certain he was watching her, not Silva. But Silva coyly smiled, then made her move on Sam. She kissed him on the cheek. Nothing too risqué or noteworthy, but Sam seized her arm, pulled her into a bear hug and started kissing her like they were in bed, getting ready for the big bang.
At first, Silva seemed taken aback, stiff, but when Sam kept working on her lips, Silva melted in the big guy’s arms, giving him as much as she was getting.
Lelandi glanced around at the now quiet tavern, saw Trevor watching, but no scowl marred his expression. Everyone else was rabidly entranced. Some amused.
Jake shook his head and slugged down some beer.
Tom took his eyes off Silva and Sam and smiled at Lelandi. Her body warmed with chagrin.
“Man,” Silva said, her voice low but because Lelandi was close enough she heard her words. “You never told me you knew how to melt a lady’s core.”
“Just needed the right woman to do the kiss justice.” Sam patted her rump. “Now get back to work.”
With a grin stretching across her face, she grabbed up another tray. “Hmm-hmm.”
Belatedly, several of the guys in the tavern whooped and cheered.
Silva’s face turned crimson.
“Wow,” Carol said. “Now, I wouldn’t mind a hunk like that kissing me either.
Then her head sank to the counter.
Lelandi shook her head and motioned to Jake, who hurried to the bar. “You want to go home now’?”
“Carol Wood needs a ride home. “
Jake waved at one of the grays at a table. “Take Ms. Wood to her place.”
The guy looked pissed, but nodded and carried Carol out of the tavern.
Right after that, a husky human male walked up to the bar and handed Lelandi a note. “Guy outside asked me to give this to you.”
Before she could take it, Jake pulled it out of the man’s hand. “Thanks. I’ll give it to her.”
Jake stood his ground as the man looked from the note to Lelandi. Finally, he shrugged. “All right. Whatever.” He gave Lelandi a sly smile, then sauntered over to one of the tables.
Jake opened the note, then shook his head. “Time to go.”
“It’s a note from...” She started to say, Darien, but then she realized Jake would have given it to her. Ural. She rounded the bar as if she planned to go with Jake, then snatched the note from his hand.
He could have taken it back, but instead gave her a superior smirk while he watched her read it. Ural. She’d recognize his scrawl anywhere. I’m coming for you, Lelandi. Be ready.
But he was in jail.
Jake motioned to Trevor, talked to him for a minute, then the deputy went to a table of grays. All six rose and headed outside.
“What if I wanted to stay longer?”
“I can tell you. It isn’t going to fly with Darien.” Jake took her arm, and he and Tom led her to his SUV.
“How did Ural get out of jail?” she asked.
“Apparently he had help,” Jake said, his voice dark.
When they saw Trevor and the other grays outside of the tavern, they shook their heads at Jakes questioning look. Maybe this time Ural had the sense to return home without her and leave well enough alone.
On the drive back to Darien’s house, Jake wore a perpetual smile and Lelandi finally asked. “What’s so funny?”