Page 53 of Blood of Vengeance

Dean looked her up and down, appraising but not coveting. Keeping a good foot between himself and her. He then shot me a look that was pure wolf. “Congrats, old man. If the lovely lady wants a steak, she’ll get the best from me. Come. I have a perfect booth for a little afternoon delight.”

Locklyn’s eyebrows flew up, but I just chuckled and led her across the restaurant. When we reached the banquette, Dean stood at one side to assist Locklyn into her seat while I slid in from the other. The man kept his eyes off my mate while he directed the waiter to set down our glasses of water, kept his actions respectable. Being a wolf shifter in the restaurant business might have been tricky, but being a male wolf shifter around mated couples definitely seemed more difficult because I was ready to claw out his neck just for standing within ten feet of my girl. Not that I needed to. The man handled himself with class, respectful to the ladies at all times. And obviously aware of the need to keep Locklyn at arm’s length so as not to upset my wolf.

“I’ve got a few bottles of pinot in the cellar that are absolutely—” Dean kissed the tips of his fingers, still primarily addressing only me. “I’ll bring one up for you. Will you need a menu, or will you trust your old friend Dean to feed you the best steak of your life?”

Locklyn glanced at me, lifting one shoulder in a move I took as acquiescence. “Take it away, Dean.”

“Excellent.” Dean leaned a little closer to Locklyn, his smile glued in place. “And how do you prefer your steak cooked, my lovely?”

For the first time, Dean directed his full attention to Locklyn. Brought his gaze right to her and held her with it. I watched as she stiffened in her seat, likely the realization that a predator had her in her sights kicking off some human survival instinct. A normal response, but not something I wanted my mate to experience. Especially not yet—she wasn’t used to so many wolves around her yet. So I growled low, making sure Dean heard me. Directing him without words to ease off.

Locklyn darted a look my way, obviously calming. Likely having heard me. “Medium rare, please.”

Dean nodded once, taking a step away from the table and shooting me a wink. “Perfect. I’ll alert the chef.” He started to walk away then turned back, giving us a very well-rehearsed, almost confused look. “You want some antipasto? A little snack before the meal? I’ll get you one.”

And as I expected, he disappeared into the back, never needing us to confirm or deny his offer of a starter course.

“He’s…something.”

I shot a smile at Locklyn, who looked about as shell-shocked as I had expected. “He’s a legend. Been here for decades. Claims to have some serious mob connections, which brings all the old Vegasophiles here. They love the kitschy, 70’s feel of his place, and he loves the act.”

“Think he was really in the mob?”

“Nope.” I leaned closer, sliding across the booth to reduce the space between us. “He’s an old wolf shifter who grew up in the high desert outside of Reno, not Vegas.”

Locklyn practically jerked backward, immediately looking off in the direction Dean had gone. “He’s a shifter?”

“Yeah. You find that surprising?” I grabbed my water glass, raising it to my lips to take a sip. Keeping my eyes on her over the rim.

“He’s just so…little.”

Water…everywhere. I laughed so hard I nearly dropped the entire glass in my own damn lap. “Jesus, Locklyn.”

“What?” She shrugged, smiling my way. “My only experience with shifters has been my dad and the men of the Hellions. You’re all—” she waved her hand at me and scrunched her nose in the most adorable way I had ever seen someone do “—huge. You’re huge. He’s not.”

“We come in all shapes and sizes.”

“Huh. Would have never guessed.”

And that was how our amazingly long and luxurious lunch started. Dean did not disappoint—five courses, all delicious, all comprised of items not on the menu. And when I let it slip that my girl liked something as classic and simple as cacio e pepe? The man might as well have been in heaven. Unlike Rush, I didn’t think Dean was Italian by heritage, but his love for the food and culture shone.

“I am going to die from too much food,” Locklyn said as we hobbled our way back to my truck. “That was intense.”

“Yeah, but we might not have time for much of a dinner. I thought this would be a good alternative.”

“You thought correctly. Oh, a rose.” She grabbed the stem of a long red rose from the hood of my truck and brought it to her nose. “Did you put this here?”

I shook my head, absolutely enraptured by the joy on her face as she let the delicate flower dance across her skin. “No, but Dean might have. He’s romantic like that.”

“I should probably thank him, but…” She rose onto the balls of her feet and placed the simplest, sweetest kiss on my lips that I had ever experienced. I had been balls deep inside this woman just hours before, but that kiss held more intimacy than anything we’d done in the bedroom. That kiss was filled with a power the woman didn’t even realize she held over me, and I loved it.

“What was that for?” I asked when she dropped down and tucked herself under my arm.

“Just wanted to say thank you for today. You’ve been a wonderful distraction.”

I huffed, reaching past her to open the door. “I’m more than a distraction.”

“You are.” She hopped inside, stabbing me with her gaze once her ass had settled onto my seat. Still letting those deep red petals tease her cheek and jaw. “But I needed you to be a distraction today, and you came through with flying colors.”

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