Chapter 16 Sebastian #2
I scoffed at him. Rude but no real trouble.
I had fucking shoes older than him. “Yeah, thanks.” Little asshat.
But I left before he even stood up straight again, my mind already on work, and on Kayla, but not necessarily in that order.
I really didn’t have time for a jumped-up little New Orleans vampire who thought the best way to meet me was to shoulder check me in my own club.
Chuckling a little, I rolled my eyes as I reached my office. I’d tackle the lack-of-manners issue in this city once I’d sorted out the crime syndicate situation.
I shuffled paperwork for a while in my office, checking over our takings and looking at the guestlists, scanning for names that might be familiar or even useful in the future.
Perhaps if we put Temple or one of his friends on our list, they could work the club to find out more.
I rubbed the side of my cheek as I considered our options.
I hadn’t planned on this large of a problem presenting myself and I was getting an actual headache over it.
As the words on the page blurred in front of me a little, I checked the time.
I didn’t want to wait for the crowd to tell me Kayla had arrived on stage tonight.
I wanted to be there for her, ready, waiting, watching.
As I took up my usual position against the railing, Jason came up the stairs toward me.
“You got a minute?” He looked at me expectantly then took in the view of everyone down below. “You just surveying your kingdom?”
I chuckled. “Something like that. I’m waiting for Kayla to sing. What can I do for you?”
He took the same pose as me, forearms resting against the railing, back slightly hunched, gaze focused on the stage. “I’d like to stay,” he murmured.
“In the club? Sure. You need office space or just a drink?” I glanced at him and he grinned.
“I’d like to stay in New Orleans.”
“Oh?” Jason was Nic’s sireling, so this was unexpected from him. Especially now, when Nic had just started his reign.
Jason could have made himself really influential.
But he sighed a little. “Yeah. Things are quiet in Baton Rouge right now. The action is here right now.” He glanced at me. “And I think I can help.” He rocked forward a little bit like he was unsure of what my reply might be, but he needn’t have worried.
“I’d love to have you stay. You’re right. There’s a lot to do here. The more men I can trust, the better.” I drummed my fingertips against the railing.
Jason grinned wider. “’Kay, great, because I already checked with Nic, and he’s good with it, too.”
I chuckled. “Welcome to New Orleans, Jason.”
He bowed his head in mock deference. “Thank you, Regent.”
With the way things were shaping up around here, I was going to need all the help I could get, and I trusted Kyle and Jason—and even Temple these days—more than anyone.
Jason was family, and Kyle was as well. He was totally loyal to Nic, and loyal to me, even after I’d screwed up so badly in Baton Rouge.
That meant a lot.
“I mean,” I added, “I guess it’ll be good to have the company if nothing else?”
Jason laughed. “I guess so. Plus, I can still liaise with the wolves and keep us current with anything they’re doing.” He looked away a moment before turning a sly gaze back to me. “So, do I actually I get an office?”
I gestured behind me. “Kyle has one. It has boxes in it. Knock yourself out choosing one for yourself. Hope you’re better at interior design than he is, though.”
Jason huffed a laugh and walked away. It would be good to have a loyal crew here.
I’d talk to Nic and thank him during our next call.
He didn’t need to have granted Jason’s request to stay here.
It was just another show of my brother’s trust in me.
He’d exiled me but not written me off completely.
He’d never given up on me. That knowledge bloomed inside me, warming the inside of my chest, and satisfaction rose up, pricking my eyes uncomfortably.
I stretched a little, avoiding the temptation to swipe at my eyes, and blinking away the unexpected emotion instead.
Everything was going to work out just fine.
We’d done the hard work when Nic beat Francois.
Everything else here in New Orleans just needed straightening out, and with the right men at my side, I could absolutely do that.
The curtains leading to the dressing rooms moved a little, and I straightened as Kayla appeared from between them.
She commanded all of my attention. Her dress was stunning again.
She’d confided that local designers were already approaching her and wanting her to wear dresses they’d created for her to wear while she sang.
Even without beautiful clothing, dressed in jeans and a T-shirt in my house each day, I couldn’t take my gaze off her.
She was perfect. Even the way she moved was enticing.
If I drew a deep enough breath, her jasmine scent flooded my chest. I only had to concentrate the tiniest amount to hear her pulse, too, the heartbeat that was only for me. Of that, I was certain.
She was my mate.
And I would protect her with my last breath.
Always.
She stepped onto the stage, her smile shy as she raised her gaze to meet mine briefly. She always checked for me here now. And I would always be here, watching over her.
The music started, and she swayed slowly, seductively, moving her body in a way that hardened me instantly as I recalled the way she moved beneath me. My fangs made my gums ache, but that was the effect watching Kayla always had on me.
She’d added to her set, making it longer by popular demand, and her singing seemed to cast a spell on the crowd below. They moved slower, their bodies entwined in slow dances full of love and lust. The scent of blood hung on the air again, and Kayla’s voice soared.
As she reached the halfway point of her set, there was a blur of motion in the crowd and popping noises that didn’t form part of the music.
Shit. Gunshots rang out. I was a blur of motion, racing down the stairs, needing to reach Kayla. Some asshole was shooting a gun in my club. Near my mate.
I roared with sudden rage and blurred forward. Nothing but made sense, and I pushed people aside as they got in my way.
Kayla was my mate. I needed to protect her. My club, my property.
These people would pay.
My fangs descended and my lips stretched tight over them.
Jason was close behind me, his gun already in his hand. “You get to Kayla. I’ll find the shooter.” His words were terse but unmistakable excitement danced in his eyes. “I knew there’d be more action in New Orleans than Baton Rouge.”
His words floated over his shoulder as he hurried away, seeming to part the crowd in front of him by sheer force of will alone.