Page 37 of Bonded

He’s new and she can tell he doesn’t recognize her. “Inside. I, um… I’m with Darius’s group. Ryan… Rhys, the owner’s brother, and they usually let us straight in.”

“Yeah, well, I’m new and we’ve stepped up security, so I’ll need to check that first.” He offers a smile.

“Okay, sure.” She nods. Looking behind her, she can hear more of the usual screeching name-calling. Luna’s already riled that Kat didn’t let her go after Alyssa, and she growls angrily at the noise behind. Kat’s hoping a large vodka or two will help dampen her volatile temper.

“Yeah… sorry to bother you, boss, it’s Eric at the door. Yeah, I’ve got a woman here, says she’s with Darius’s group. What do you want me to do with her?” He smiles at her as he listens to the phone. Kat can’t hear the reply and she frowns as he looks her up and down. “Um… yeah, blonde, green eyes, pretty hot lookin’… Okay yeah, yeah I hear ya.” He smiles, “Looks like you’re clear to go.”

“Thank you… Eric.” She smiles as he gestures her inside.

“You’re more than welcome. And next time I’ll know who you are, I never forget a pretty pair of eyes.” After she disappears from his view, he’s back on his radio. “Yeah, Tony… it’s Eric at the door, we got a lone female comin’ your way, blonde, green eyes, I’m told she’s VIP. Boss says get Hudson to keep an eye on her. Oh… and no one’s to go near her. You get that?”

“Yeah, copy that, I’ll pass the message along.”

***

Kat weaves her way across the dance floor, ignoring the dancers, and even the music blurs into the background—her head’s filled with chaotic thoughts and it’s like she’s losing her mind. All she keeps thinking about is Digby and Alyssa, back at the house, and her eyes well with angry tears as Luna snarls in her head, blaming her for going out with Riley.

Blindly she follows the walkway to the VIP area, still muttering under her breath about what an asshole Digby is and how she’d like to rip his balls off.

Sitting on a stool at the corner of the bar, she looks around apprehensively, noticing the attention she’s getting and the eyes of strangers staring at her. Being here alone, a few days before a full moon, probably wasn’t one of the brightest moves she’s ever made.

“Hey Kat.” Hudson smiles, “so how are ya? Can I get you something?”

“Yeah, an extra-large vodka, and hey, keep them coming… until I tell you to stop.”

“Okay… You sure about that?” He frowns, staring at her. “Kat, are you okay? Is somethin’ wrong? I mean, has somethin’ happened, to cause this sudden vodka crisis?”

“Look, I’m not here for a conversation, so can you just pour the damn drink?”

“All right, calm down. Geez… what the hell’s wrong with everyone tonight. This full moon is certainly causing a lot of aggravation, and it’s not even here yet. God knows what Saturday night is gonna be like. You know, I had Digby kickin’ off in here earlier. And now you. That’s not a good sign.”

“Yeah whatever… like I said I’m just here for the vodka.”

“Okay, well, this one is on the house—compliments of Rhys.”

“Really? What’s Digby getting him to keep an eye on me now?”

“Hell, I don’t think so, Rhys and Digby hardly speak. There’s certainly no love lost there but hey it’s none of my business, I’ll get back to my job.”

“Hudson, I’m sorry. And hey, put this on Digby’s tab.”

“I just said it’s on the… Okay sure, but you gonna tell me what he did, that warrants you running him a sky-high bar tab? I’m guessin’ from that look in your eyes, somethin’ pretty fuckin’ dumb?”

“Trust me, you don’t wanna know.” She knocks back the vodka in one go, and placing the empty glass on the counter, gestures for a refill.

“Okay… so don’t tell me, but barmen make good listeners—it’s kind of a specialty.”

“I thought orgasms were your specialty,” she laughs.

“Yeah, those too, but I’m sorry to say you won’t be gettin’ one of those from me anytime soon. Seems you were right about the fact that Digby might wanna take my head off. And that’s not a chance I’m willing to take.”

“Yeah, well, this moon is making him a little crazy right now. Though being fair, I’ve probably not helped the situation.”

“Hey, don’t worry—right now everyone is feeling a little crazy. Never known it as bad as it is this month.”

“Did you know he took Alyssa home? Oh… of course, you did. I forget you see everything from here. Don’t worry, I’m not asking you to rat him out. I already know he did. She was at the house when I got back.” She sips at the vodka, rubbing her hand over her head in frustration.

“Well yeah, that was a pretty dumb move, even for him. I can’t believe he went back there after how long it took him to dump her the first time. But just so you know, she’s a hunter, she preys on guys. Waits ‘til they’re vulnerable then… Boom—she’s in there. You stepped on her territory, so she’s hittin’ back. Kat, be careful with her, she can be nasty.”

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