Feral (Wicked Nights At Lair Book 1)

9. Hale

Ilook at my watch for the tenth time in twenty minutes. I should have sent a car to pick Yannis up. Last night’s hunt with Thorn did little to calm my nerves. On the contrary—the city is teeming with new faces with criminal intent. So much so that later tonight, the Orpheus boys are doing some cleanup. I plan to go with them. I need to see firsthand whether there’s any threat to Yannis from those men who harassed him and showed up at the club yesterday.

“Hey, boss.”

I turn to see Rhett walking up to the bar where I’m going over last night’s register receipts while Tiago is in the back, restocking for the night.

“Hey, Rhett. All good?”

He nods, cracking his knuckles. “I ain’t got nothing to be mad about.” He leans on the bar beside me. “I guess Yannis knows about us now?”

“He knows about you and our general clientele. He wants to work here, so there’s no way to hide what we are.”

Rhett grins. “But he doesn’t know about you?”

“No.” I keep my eyes on the register. “He didn’t ask. I didn’t offer.”

“Interesting. Guess he’ll figure it out when your teeth are in his neck.”

“I have self-control, my friend. I’ve managed to work here for two years without attacking unsuspecting mortals.”

“Because you didn’t like them. You obviously like Yannis.”

Is it obvious to him? “He’s made it clear he’s not attracted to men.”

Rhett snorts, then actually throws his head back in a boisterous laugh. “That’s rich. He looks at you like you invented the universe. Maybe he hasn’t been into dudes before, but there’s at least one vampire with a cock between his legs that’s caught his attention.”

A wave of heat ripples across my skin. I secretly hope it’s true. I’ve picked up on his increased pulse around me, but I could easily chalk that up to all the new experiences he’s having.

“He’s given me no indication of interest.”

Rhett, still chuckling, pats my shoulder. “Okay, boss. We’ll go with that for now. Do you want my help training him at all?”

“Potentially. Tonight will be more of an orientation. I’ll show him how the systems work and the various parts of the club. If he can handle more after that, I’ll decide what’s next.”

“Cool. I’m going to the pit to clean up the blood from last night.”

“Did the mortal survive? You know we have to report the offending vampire to Yves.”

“I know. He did. He loved every second of it. Willow kept an eye on things while he fed off the lust.”

“Perfect.”

Rhett ambles off to clean, and Tiago returns carrying three crates of liquor. If a mortal saw him, they’d think my friend was the strongest man in the world.

“Man, the mortals are putting away the liquor lately,” Tiago says, setting the crates on the bar. “The increased prices haven’t slowed them down at all.”

“Likely because the vampires and demons typically foot the majority of their bills.”

Tiago nods. “Eh, good point. I think we should up our weekly order by twenty percent. Whatcha think?”

I nod, glancing at the total revenue for last night. “We can certainly afford to and still rake in massive profits. The intake is at an all-time high.”

He nods with a smirk on his face. “Yves loosening the restrictions was a game changer.”

“For all of us.”

“Damn straight. Damiano changed that man’s mood. I always admired him, you know, but seeing him happy? It’s nice.”

“Agreed. He deserves it.”

“For sure.” Tiago opens a crate and starts stocking bottles. “Did you find anything good with Thorn last night?”

“Bunch of street criminals. There’s more activity on the south side the guys are gonna keep an eye on. You know how Thorn hates trafficking and taking advantage of the weak.”

“Yeah. He’s a softy for underdogs. I like that about him. For all his chaos, he’s got a heart of gold.”

“He does. I thought his mate might tame him, but nope, he’s still Thorn. He doesn’t go on drug-fueled feeding binges anymore, but he’s still the same guy at his core.”

“That’s what fated love is about. Amplifying your best self.”

“True.” I stack my papers. “Does that interest you? Finding a mate?”

He shrugs, arranging several bottles of tequila. “I don’t think about it because it’s not up to me. When fate is ready, I’ll be ready too.”

“Good attitude.”

“Until then, I’ll have fun.” He turns to me, giving me a pointed look. “So should you.”

“I feel like there’s unspoken meaning in your words.”

He chuckles. “You should let loose, Hale. Have fun. Yes, hunting is a good way to let some of our baser instincts breathe, but carnal pleasure is equally important. When’s the last time you indulged?”

I shake my head, avoiding his gaze.

“Exactly,” Tiago continues. “Now you’ve caught a pretty mortal in your web. Wouldn’t you love to know how he tastes?”

The question makes my skin tingle and my gums throb. “As I’ve said numerous times, Yannis doesn’t date men.”

“First time for everything. Besides, you’re a fucking vampire, dude. You can get him to do whatever you want.” He grins. “But your insistence on consent is cute.”

I end up laughing. Tiago always appeals to my humorous side. “I like him,” I admit. “He’s not just someone to fuck and leave. Besides, all civilized vampires know consent matters. Even you.”

Tiago nods. “Yeah, yeah. I talk a big game but I’m not an asshole.”

“I know you’re not.” Fortunately, none of us who live in this city are sexual deviants. It’s the ones visiting we have to keep our eyes on.

“I can’t wait to see what happens,” Tiago continues.

“Glad I can entertain you.”

“What can I say? I’m easily amused.”

“Anyway, I’ll be in the office adding last night’s numbers to the report for Yves and the council.”

Tiago salutes me as I walk away, but before I get far, I hear a familiar voice call my name. Smiling, I turn to see Vivienne, followed by her ever-present companion, Viper.

“Hey.” I greet the two women with cheek kisses. “What brings you by?”

“Yves told me about last night’s visitor,” Vivienne says. “We came to check on our wards and Tiago said you guys could use more cocktail potion.”

“Ah, yeah. The mafioso.”

Vivienne nods, dragging a hand through her unruly red curls. “Another group moving in on the city, huh?”

“Seems to be the case. The allure of corruption in New Onyx continues to be a siren call for criminals.”

“Whenever I imagine a bad guy facing a vampire it makes me cackle,” Viper says, grinning widely. “Like, so out-played.”

“It amuses me as well.” The two women walk with me to the bar, Vivienne looking like a radiant garden, and Viper a dark angel, just like her name suggests. “I’ll be in the back if you need me.”

“We’re good,” Vivienne says.

In the office, I do my best to focus on the ledger, but I can’t stop listening for Yannis’s arrival. Am I obsessed? Quite possibly.

I wanted to go up to his apartment with him last night, both out of curiosity to see how he lives and to ensure he’s not in any kind of danger. Vito’s boldness in showing up here last night with a gun has put me on high alert. If Vivienne’s wards are still strong, that means something in the criminal lured him to Lair, and that’s not a good thing. I suppose she never promised us that all the mortals seeking us out would be good people.

I finally manage to upload the report, and mere seconds after that, the air shifts, drawing a smile to my face. He’s here. I can sense him. I’m out of my seat and heading toward the front, scanning the room for him.

“What’s up, Hale?” Tiago asks from the bar.

“Is Yannis here?”

“Nope. Just us vamps and witches.”

I tilt my head in confusion, but then the front door opens, letting in a stream of sunlight that illuminates the man from behind. He steps inside, pulling the door closed behind him before turning toward the bar. When his eyes land on me, his whole face lights up. I must have sensed him approaching.

“Well, speak of the mortal,” Tiago says with a chuckle.

Yannis waves as he walks toward me. “Hi.”

“Hello. Welcome back. How was your evening?”

His cheeks turn bright pink. “Good. Fine. Didn’t do much. Really. I just went to sleep. Nothing else.”

I’m amused by his word vomit. “That’s good to hear.”

“You? Did you do anything?”

I can’t exactly tell him that I spent the evening draining two drug dealers who were roughing up some street kids. “Nothing worth noting.”

He nods, smiling and holding my gaze. “I’m excited to get started today.”

Oh. Right. He’s not just here for me to stare at him. “Yes, I have a tentative schedule for you. We’ll start with a tour, then we’ll go over our protocols and our alert system.”

“Alert system?”

I nod. “All of our employees learn it as a way to subtly alert Tiago and me about potential trouble and harassment. Not all of our patrons are respectful of consent.”

His smile slips slightly as he blows out a breath. “Oh, okay.”

“And as I stated before, you’re very appealing. You’ll attract attention.”

He shrugs, tugging at the material of his fitted dress shirt. “Thanks. I don’t stand out that much back home at all, so it’s kinda weird to hear.”

“All the men where you come from look like you?”

Yannis chuckles. “Well, not exactly, but a lot of us are beefy guys. Corn-fed farm boys, you know?”

I have no reference for that so I just nod. “We should get started. Follow me.”

Before we get far, Vivienne pops over. “Wards are good, which means homeboy got here on his own.”

Frowning, I nod. “Which means he can bring others.”

“’Fraid so.” Her gaze shifts to Yannis. “Hello.”

“Hi.”

“Vivienne, this is Yannis. He’ll be working with us starting tonight.”

Vivienne studies his face for a second, leaning close, then backing up. “Mortal?”

“He is,” I answer.

“Are you?” Yannis asks the pretty witch.

“Yep. Mostly.” She laughs softly, glancing over her shoulder at Viper, who’s chatting with Tiago. “If you want to stay that way, don’t drink the special cocktail Tiago is making tonight.”

His brow crinkles. “A drink can do that?”

“I’m only teasing you, but let’s just say the drink won’t appeal to the tastes of most mortals.” She winks. “Nice to meet you.”

“Uh, you too,” Yannis says as Vivienne leaves us. “What is she?”

“A witch. She’s very powerful.”

Yannis nods, but his expression is slightly stunned. “And what’s in the drink? Or do I not want to know?”

“I don’t know exactly, but I’m guessing a touch of mortal blood and a pinch of magic.”

“Blood. Right. For the vampires.”

“Exactly. Come along.”

I lead him to the back, bracing myself for the inevitable longing to touch him his presence evokes. Past the wooden doors, we enter the kinky side of the nightclub.

“I won’t have you start here, but you should know what’s available to be able to direct patrons.”

“Okay.”

We travel down a hall of black velvet walls and black marble floors lit with old style sconces, to the bondage rooms. Pausing, I glance at him before pulling open the large leather covered doors.

Yannis peers inside, his breath hitching slightly. “Wow.”

I enter the room and he follows me, his eyes darting around the space filled with various items, from toys to furniture to a massive bed in the corner.

“This is our leather room,” I begin. “Here, those who enjoy everything from light restraint to full domination and submission can play to their hearts’ content. We have several observers who monitor the space during the evenings, and someone will always be assigned to work the area for refreshments, but rarely mortals. We tend to lean towards the demon or fae employees who can handle themselves if things get wild.”

Yannis swallows. “Interesting.”

“Something you indulge in?”

He startles as his cheeks turn pink. “Oh no. I’ve never… Not even…uh…” He snaps his mouth shut.

“I didn’t mean to pry.”

“You’re not. I guess I’ve been pretty vanilla so far.”

“This will be an education then.”

“Yup.” As we go to leave, Yannis pauses. “Is this your kind of thing?”

“No.” I step closer, focusing on his pretty blue eyes. “I don’t require accessories to enjoy myself. I’ll tell you a secret though.”

He nods, darting his tongue out to wet his dry lips.

“I enjoy watching.”

“Watching…what?”

“Beautiful people doing sensual things, to each other or alone. I especially enjoy watching an object of my desire embrace theirs.”

His Adam’s apple bobbles slowly as he swallows. His scent thickens, sending a wave of earthy sensuality over me. His pulse ticks up, the blood in his veins rushing downward.

“Do you, um, do you like to watch your love interest with other people?”

I click my tongue. “Oh no. I’m far too possessive for that. As much as polyamory appeals to my logical senses, I’m afraid once I’m enchanted by someone…” I shake my head. “I’m a greedy lover.”

Yannis nods, focusing on my mouth.

“You may find working here expands your interests.”

“Right.” He clears his throat, huffing a breath before smiling.

“Would you like to see the next room?”

“Lead the way.”