“No, Gwen will go in with me.” Mutt rested his arm over my shoulder. Colby shot the Nosferatu a look so deadly that Mutt eased his arm off and raised his hands up to make peace. “Okay, she doesn’t go.”
My mate shook his head. “No, she should, but you keep your hands to yourself.” His eyes narrowed with the whispered threat.
Rose made a surprised noise. “Wait a minute. Are you two…?”
Was it that shocking? I wasn’t a beauty queen but I wasn’t a dog either. “Yes, we’re together.” I glanced at Colby. “Tentatively.”
He frowned. I didn’t understand why. Shouldn’t he be happy I wasn’t laying complete claim over him? He went from running, to hiding, to let’s kiss, so I wasn’t quite sure where I fit in his crooked concept of reality. Could it be possible he didn’t even want tentative?
I nudged Mutt with my elbow. “Fine, we’ll go talk to Cesio together.”
“You can’t go like that!” Rose rested her hands on her hips. “They’ll never let you in.”
Mutt glanced at his dirty T-shirt, jeans, and running shoes. “They let me in dressed like this.”
“Yeah, you’re Nosferatu, genius. Get a clue already.” She stormed off to a trunk the team hadn’t moved yet. “I keep spare clothes here. Maybe I have something that fits Gwen.”
I think I made a gasping noise at Rose’s response to Mutt. If I wasn’t careful, I might begin to like her.
Chapter Eleven
The red dress Rose squeezed on my body would have made a nice torture implement in the dark ages. It clung to my form so tightly I couldn’t take a deep breath. Not that I wanted to—my small breasts would pop out. The height difference between us was apparent, since the hem of her dress barely covered my ass. I didn’t know where she found heels to fit my feet and I didn’t ask. If I sneezed, I would burst a seam and the outfit would come apart like a popped balloon.
One good thing came from this experiment. Colby’s jaw dropped as I entered the room. His eyes traveled the length of my figure and for a moment, I thought he was going to cancel the whole expedition.
Warmth spread over my cheeks. I never cared to play dress-up. There was no function in these outfits, but after witnessing his expression, I changed my mind. I foresaw a shopping spree in my near future.
The heels proved difficult to maneuver in. I could walk but if I had to fight, they’d be a test on my equilibrium. Rose gave me her leg holster with a small caliber gun that I wrapped around my upper thigh. It would be like bee stings to the vampires, but it was better than going unarmed.
“Can either of you drive?” Colby held out a set of keys.
“I can.” I snatched the set before Mutt could. I’d had enough theatrics without crashing a car. We followed Colby out to the back, where a black, sleek sedan was parked. “Nice.” I ran my fingertip along the modern lines. “Is it fast?”
“Of course. It’s mine.” Colby folded his arms over his chest. “And I want it back. In one piece.” He approached me with a small metallic gadget.
“What’s that?”
“A tracker. I’ve already lost one member of my team. I won’t lose you too.”
“I don’t think there’s room in this dress for a—” I jumped as he slid his fingers in the neckline of my dress and stuck the tracker to the skin between my breasts. “Oh.” A fire couldn’t have burned my cheeks any hotter.
“Cesio had better not find it.” Colby’s words were meant for my ears only. A warning gaze met mine.
“What kind of female do you think I am?”
“A beautiful one.”
I blinked.
“You haven’t met Cesio yet.” He opened the driver side door and helped me inside. As I sat, he tugged the hem of my skirt over my ass. “Maybe you should wear your jeans instead. This dress is too small.”
I gave him my best feral grin. “Oh no, I’m liking the reaction it’s getting.” I crooked my finger at him to come closer. “Seriously, what happened to Rose?”
“None of your business.”
“If I’m going into that club, I think I have a right to know what might happen.”
He glanced through the windshield where Rose tried to tidy Mutt’s t-shirt with a wet face cloth. “She was a companion once. When she decided to leave that lifestyle, there were complications. None of it pleasant.”
Even vampire hearts could break. She did seem comfortable among them. I should have guessed. Whatever complication Rose had experienced I was sure I could avoid.
Colby bent, placing his nose behind my ear to inhale. Then he pressed a light kiss to my skin and straightened when Mutt settled in next to me. “I’ll be close by watching.”
“How?”
“I have my ways.” He closed the door.
Mutt stroked the dash as if it were a big cat. “I want one.” He sounded so wistful.
“You will. You have eternity to gather wealth.” I started the engine and shifted into drive.
“I know, and I’m allowed to dream big.” He leaned back into the seat, hands behind his head. “I think I’d like to have a human companion as well.”
I snorted. “Will she look like Rose?”
“Don’t make fun of my dreams, Gwen.” He grinned, his fangs sharp and long as he chuckled. “Rose is too feisty for my taste.”
“Why don’t you already have a human?” We’d never discussed much about relationships, considering what a minefield of shifter hormones I’d been.
He gazed out the window. “I can barely take care of myself. What could I offer a human for her loyalty in return? I imagine living in my warehouse, living off cheeseburgers wouldn’t attract the best quality of companions.”
I shook my head. “I’m glad you’re thinking about it. Once this is over, we can discuss ways you can start making money.”
“Legal ways.”
I shifted in my seat. “I didn’t imply otherwise.”
“No, but the brotherhood has. I could steal or glamour those to do it for me.” He made a face. “I never broke the law as a human, and I think living as a mortal was much harder. Why would I weaken my resolve when things are finally starting to look up?”
Traffic passed by me unseen as his words sank in. This glimpse into Mutt’s soul showed me what the Nosferatu might have seen in him. A glimmer of hope sparked in my chest. Something I’d never thought I’d find in a homeless vampire.
“There are many legal options for you. I’m sure of it. If not, then we’ll have to create one.” I nodded to no one in particular as I made the vow. “First, let’s find your friend.”
Parking at the club turned out easier than I’d thought. They had a valet. Fancy, fancy. Mutt left his customary winter cap in the vehicle and offered me his arm before we approached the bouncers. The club’s sign threw artificial light over the entrance. It gleamed off his bare head and his clan’s trademark pointed ears. The bouncers let us through without question, and one even bowed. No one remarked on his very casual attire.
“I didn’t know they reacted to you like this.” I glanced around the bar as the locals parted when we strolled inside. The Nosferatu were almost myth among regular vampires. A thing they used to scare each other. One glance at my date, and I could see he didn’t like the fear he produced.
I sighed. He’d have to get used to it.
He strode straight to the bar. “Beer.” He glanced at me, a frown creasing his forehead. “What do you want?”
The loud music made it hard to hear and stung my sensitive shifter hearing. No wonder Colby preferred to lure the vampires outside.
“Club soda.” One of us had to keep a clear head and drive home. I leaned against the bar and faced the crowd. Their initial shock at Mutt’s arrival seemed to have faded as they mingled. A few women still whispered and tossed him glances. Something protective snarled in my chest at those petty vampires. I didn’t need to hear their comments to know what was exchanged. They’d best keep their backstabbing claws from Mutt. It wouldn’t be the first time I’d heard of power-hungry females trying to ride a Nosferatu’s coattails, and Mutt’s youth made him vulnerable.