Page 44 of In His Veins

“So how are you going to stop him?” Paige asks. This time I don’t have an answer at all. Chase and I exchange a look before I receive a notification on my phone. It’s my timer to pick up Ava, and I can’t believe how much time I’ve spent here.

“Shit, I have to go.” I glance at Chase meaningfully, but he’s watching Paige and doesn’t notice.

“Where? We have work to do.”

“My other job,” I say, punctuating each word. This gets his attention, and his eyes widen in understanding. His face changes in a fraction of a second as he remembers that he’s still mad at me.

“Don’t fuck it up,” he sneers. I roll my eyes and brush past him, but he grabs my arm. “And be careful. Kiel’s probably looking for you.” I nod before he lets me go.

I’m nearly to the door when I hear Paige grumble, “Men are the worst. Just say you love each other.”

Chase snorts before pushing through the main entrance and emerging onto the street. The afternoon sun soaks into the cracked asphalt. I don’t know if I’m sweating from the heat or anxiety as I nearly run back to my car.

If Kiel is here, then he has to be after Chase and me. And if he’s after Chase and me, then Ava isn’t safe. I didn’t want to tell Paige, but she was probably targeted because Kiel found out she’s important to Chase.

I run faster at the sight of my black SUV in the distance. Even though I’m desperate to get back to Ava, I force myself to slow down only long enough to investigate the trunk and the backseat. When I’m sure it’s clear, I start the engine and speed toward The Sable House.

It takes over 20 minutes to get there and I’m nearly vibrating with unspent energy by the time I pull into a spot in front of the side windows.

She’s smiling down at a customer, such a bright and lovely thing. I feel weak with relief as I climb out of the car and go to the door. She’s thanking the customer as she backs away, nearly running right into me.

“Cal,” she gasps, and trips backward. Grinning, I steady her, watching as redness colors her cheeks. It glows brighter the longer we stand like this, with my hands against her perfect body.

“What are you looking at, creep?” She demands, her tone playful.

“I’m looking at the loveliest creature on earth.” She rolls her eyes and tries to pull away, but I hold her tighter. “Let’s go home, Viper.”

Ava shivers and her eyes are hooded.

“Let me close out this table then I’ll be ready.” She’s breathless and nearly stumbles again on her way to the kitchen. I lean against the wall as I wait.

Her coworker delivers a cup of coffee to someone at the bar and pauses when he sees me. He brushes his hands on his apron as he walks toward the door. I lift my chin in a nod.

“You’re Ava’s boyfriend?” He asks when he’s closer. I smirk at the

man in front of me. He’s tall, just a couple inches shorter than me. He has an open sort of face, and seems like the kind of guy I’d expect to fall for Ava. Unfortunately for him, she has a secret freaky side that he could never satisfy or keep up with.

“Something like that,” I say, and he scowls.

“So, you’re one of those guys.” I shrug and don’t deny it. If I’m being honest, his implication isn’t far from the truth. I don’t commit to people, never have. Somehow, I’ve gone from having commitment issues to an unshakable obsession that even I’m confused by.

“Look, Ava’s a good girl. You don’t deserve her, and I think you know that.” I push off the wall and stand up straight. He adjusts his posture to mirror mine.

“You’re right, I don’t deserve her, and I never will. But she’s a far cry from a good girl. Not that you’ll ever have the privilege of experiencing her like that. You’ll just have to take my word for it.” I give him a toothy grin and he squints at me. I think I’m about to get punched for the second time that day when Ava spots us.

“Josh? Cal? What’s going on?” She pauses in her approach, observing the tension in my stance.

“Last chance, Josh. Why don’t you tell her how you feel?” I taunt, my voice low. He scoffs at me but turns to Ava.

“He’s not good for you, and you know it.” I expect Ava to coddle him, but instead, she’s irritated. She rests her hands on her hips as she addresses him.

“I thought we cleared this up. What’s your problem?”

Josh glances at me then back to Ava. “You know what? You’re right. Best of luck with all of this, Ava.” He shrugs past her, nearly missing her shoulder.

“Watch it, asshole.”

He turns to me again and whatever he sees in my face must startle some sense into him. “Sorry,” he mutters to Ava, before hastily retreating into the kitchen.

---