Page 65 of Bite Marks

“Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on her,” Cole assured, looping an arm around my shoulders as I leaned against his warm side. “Is this okay?”

I nodded, not trusting my voice.

“I’m so sorry,” he whispered. “We shouldn’t have left you by yourself.”

Time seemed to pass in inches and miles. One moment Cole was muttering a steady stream of assurances to my deaf ears, and the next Dana had wrapped my arm in thick gauze. She kneeled beside me, snapping the metal first aid kit shut with a metallic click.

“There you go, darling,” she murmured softly, tucking a lock of sweaty hair behind my ear, her gaze concerned as it moved over my face. “Why don’t you let June take you home?” Her voice was calm, grounding. I latched onto it like a lifeline.

At my nod, Dana and Cole worked together to help me to my feet, knees wobbling a little now that most of the adrenaline had worn off.

“I’ll tell Baby,” Cole said, offering me a weak smile. “They kept everyone out back so they wouldn’t crowd you. Bye, Striker.”

Panic squeezed my chest as he disappeared beyond the curtain to backstage.

Juniper rounded the bar and took his place. She gently touched my arm, drawing my eyes to her blue gaze. “Just breathe. You’re safe with me.”

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding and squeezed her arm. It was as close to a thank you as I could manage.

I was just glad that I hadn’t flinched when she touched me.

Dana and Ren stood together as Juniper led me through the back and into the underground parking lot through a heavy metal door. Ren’s eyes steadily on the floor, her hair standing on end. We passed luxury sports cars, comfortable midrange sedans, and even a junker or two on our slow trek, Juniper patiently guiding me as I stumbled blindly on leaden feet.

She stopped us in front of a dark SUV, opening the door and helping me climb inside, even securing my seat belt when my fingers shook too hard to do it myself.

“I’m just going to the other side of the car,” she murmured. “I’ll be right back.”

I nodded slowly, training my eyes forward as the door snapped shut on my side. After what couldn’t have been more than a second, Juniper was in the car beside me, starting it. I curled up in the heated seat and leaned my head against the cool window as she drove us outside.

“You and Babydoll are roommates, right?”

I nodded.

She smiled, her arm resting on the console between us as she started the short drive between the club and home. “Not far then.”

“No,” I said softly, clearing my throat. “It's not.”

“Using compulsion in our club is strictly forbidden. He won’t be allowed back,” she said, her voice carrying over the low hum of music from the sound system. “He’s only alive because Dana managed to pull Ren off. Well, with my help…”

“I knew the risk when I accepted the job.” I said, running a hand down my face.

“That doesn’t make it okay, Vi.” Her blue eyes were heavy with concern when she glanced in my direction. “Don’t blame yourself.”

“Okay.”

We sat in silence for a few long minutes, waiting at a red light. The inside of the car bathed in the warm glow of the streetlights.

Mostly to break the tension, I said, “I hurt Ren’s feelings.”

Juniper laughed, loud and bright. “That’s what you’re thinking about right now?Fuck, Vi!” She put her hand over minewhere it rested in my lap, and squeezed. “She’ll live, don’t worry about that right now.”

“But—”

“Vi, for the love of god, if you’re wasting your energy worrying about her when we failed you, I’m going to lose it. She’s a grown-ass vampire. Ren will befine.”

I nodded and leaned back into the plush leather of the seats. “Fine.”

“Do you want me to drop you off, or do you want me to stay a while?”

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