Chapter 6 #2
“I promise I’ll keep you safe. Remember, this is just a hotel. We just need to make sure we cover all our bases moving forward.”
“Who’s Zyaire?” she whispered.
“Zyaire?” Rafe looked to Greyson who stared at the concrete wall in front of him.
“Yeah. He said they were saving me for Zyaire.”
Rafe shrugged. “Zyaire? Never heard that name before. We’ll ask around.”
“It’s probably just another vampire. Never heard the name,” Greyson opened the car door and slammed it behind him. “We’re running out of time. Let’s go.”
As they entered the hotel, Skylar eyed each passing employee with suspicion, wondering if they knew what had happened to her.
Her gaze was drawn up to the black dome security cameras above her, and she questioned how Scott was able to get her out of the hotel without anyone stopping him. Was the casino in on it? The bartender?
A woman in a black dress stared at her as they passed through the casino while a heavyset man smoking a cigarette leaned on a twenty-foot mega slot machine, glaring at her, while a whirlwind of smoke whipped up into the air.
Skylar recoiled at the smell, tugging the collar of her shirt over her nose. With all her senses on alert, she feigned courage as they turned down a long dark hallway and headed to the hotel bar.
The din of the loud casino quieted to a hum, the scent of smoke thickening in the air. Skylar leaned into Rafe, his protective energy calming her as they approached the bar. A tall thin woman stood stoic at the entrance.
“I’m sorry. We’re closed, gentlemen.” The hostess’s raspy voice echoed into the hall.
“It’s open for us,” Greyson grumbled.
Skylar’s heart pounded in her chest as Rafe released her hand and stepped toward the stranger. Her skin tingled with an unfamiliar sensation warning her of danger.
“Open the door,” Rafe commanded.
“Alpha.” The woman bowed her head in response.
Skylar’s eyes widened, watching the woman respond to Rafe. Alpha? Alpha wolf? A pang of jealousy stabbed her gut. Does Rafe know this woman?
“Open the door,” Rafe repeated.
The woman complied, and reached for its handle, holding it open for them. Skylar steeled her nerves and followed Rafe into the bar. Her stomach dropped at first sight. Unrecognizable to her, the space had been transformed into a coffee shop.
“No, no, no. This isn’t it. This can’t be the bar.” She spun around to face Rafe and Greyson. “This was not like this last night. Something’s wrong.”
“When did they do the construction?” Rafe asked the hostess.
“I’m afraid I don’t know what you mean. This is the coffee bar,” the woman began.
“No,” Skylar challenged. She struggled to recall her memories from last night.
Across the room, she spied a long countertop which could have been used to serve drinks.
Confused, she noticed all the small round tables she’d seen the previous night were now square.
“This isn’t right. Someone changed everything. ”
“It’s okay,” she heard Rafe tell her, his reassuring voice surrounding her like a comforting blanket. Memories of a second bar flooded her mind. A speakeasy. “There’s another room.”
Rafe stepped toward the hostess, towering above her. She averted her gaze and looked to the floor.
“What pack are you?” he demanded.
“There is no pack,” she whispered and shook her head. “Nothing is left here.”
“Hunter Livingston is coming to Vegas. If you’re involved in any crimes, with vampire or humans, there will be accountability, do you understand?”
“Alpha, I—” She stole a glance over her shoulder then closed the door and continued in a whisper.
“There are ears and eyes everywhere. I’ve only been working here for a month.
I’m the only wolf. The vampires…they are everywhere and nowhere.
” She nervously clutched her hands. “This room here? I’ve been told it’s converted for certain events.
I wasn’t working last night. I swear it. ”
“Why were you standing at the door?” Rafe asked.
“I go where my boss tells me to go. The room has always been a coffee bar. No one’s allowed in the back except certain staff members. I never go back there,” she told him.
“Are you telling the truth?” Rafe pressed. “Look at me.”
“Yes, Alpha.”
“I’m not your Alpha,” Rafe replied, his tone emotionless. “I’m only here to help with the pack.”
“But sir,” she pleaded, “I know an Alpha when I feel it. And I most certainly feel you.”
Anger boiled underneath Skylar’s silent stare. Who is this woman? The interaction between her and Rafe seemed familiar although he acted as if he didn’t know her. But she most definitely knew him.
“Alpha Hunter Livingston is coming soon.” he told her. “If you can, get out of town for a few days. Stay away from vampires. We’ll be in touch.”
Skylar’s stomach rolled at the thought of Rafe seeing this woman again. But he shared something with her Skylar could never understand or experience. He’s a wolf. Rafe had left her on read for a reason. He’d hurt Skylar because she wasn’t like him.
She glanced to Greyson who gave her a knowing nod. She sucked in a deep cleansing breath, letting the soul-crushing truth settle in on her. She’d never be paranormal.
“Hey darlin’, you okay?” Rafe asked Skylar.