Page 47 of Connected

“Yeah, I get you but… Okay-okay, I’ll talk to Riley. Now, are we getting out or are we just gonna sit here all night? Oh, Zak… there’s something I wanted to ask you. Is there something going on between you and QT? Only… I’ve got a friend who’s kinda interested in him if you’re not doin’ anything together. Hey, don’t worry—he’s a wolf. It’s just he asked me to ask.”

“Well, you go tell your friend, QT’s off the fuckin’ market.”

“Sure… okay just… No, no I’m gonna tell him what you said. Now… do you wanna go first, or should I?” Quinn points to the door and Zak thrusts him firmly back in his seat.

“Shifters always go at theendof the line.”

“Whoa…” Kat gasps. “Rhys sure invited a helluva lot of people here tonight. I’ve not seen the line look that long in a while.”

“Yeah, fuckin asshole. I told him to keep it low-key,” Digby growls. Looking across the street, he can see Rhys standing in the doorway with Michael and two extra security guards.

“Well, looks like he rolled out the whole red carpet—or actually black.” Kat sighs and smooths the front of her dress. “Right, well let’s just get this done; keep him off our backs, and then hopefully the whole Alyssa thing can be forgotten for good.”

“Yeah, you’re right, c’mon…” he holds out an arm and escorts her from the limo. “Let’s go party.”

***

Rhys smiles excitedly as the limo pulls up in front of the club. “She’s here! Eric, go make sure everyone’s ready. It’s a full moon so there are more crazies around than normal and I want nothing to go wrong tonight. This is gonna put Selene’s on the map with the supe-elite. Sure, other clubs might have their exotic pole dancers and alpha fightin’ competitions, but none of them—I meannoneof them—have a Blood-Luna as their club bitch. Michael, that makes us special. So… from tomorrow night, I want the membership fees to go up. Getting in here has to be the hottest ticket in town—the place every supernatural wants to be. Am I clear?”

“Yeah, sure, but this is not permanent—I mean Kat—she’s just a temporary thing, right?”

“Who said she was temporary? Oh yeah, sure… yeah sure that’s what I told my brother and Darius, but let’s just say I’m not looking for anyone to replace her any time soon. But you need to keep that between us. The last thing I need is my brother gettin’ his little panties wadded up tonight.”

“But I thought you wanted someone moreavailableto the clients? A bitch who canservicetheir needs.”

“Yeah, well… I can’t always have everything I want. Besides Ryan’s my brother, so technically, she’s bonded to me too—that’s a good selling point.”

“Um… I’m not exactly sure that’s how bonding works.”

“Michael, you’d do well to remember what you are—your position around here. You’re just a shifter and easily replaced. You know, I’m gonna be makin’ some changes—to the club—so, either you’re on board with that or you’re not?”

“Oh, I’m all in with changes. And if it’s Noir’s you’re talkin’ about changing, then I have some ideas.”

“Noir’s… yeah, well, I’m not even sure about keeping that part of the club yet. I might use the extra space to attract some VIP wolves. I haven’t decided.”

“What? But hold up, what about the vamps? I thought keeping them contained was the whole idea of Noir’s—a club within a club—so that they didn’t get to mix with the other clientele. Look, they’ll pay more to come; I can guarantee it. Money, it’s no object to those freaks. You know Noir’s, it turns over good revenue,andthey’re one of our biggest users of coke and Ruby—it’s about the only thing they get high on.”

“Yeah well, I don’t enjoy having them around, especially with what’s been going on lately. Do you know Taxis nightclub got turned over last night? They smashed everything.”

“Yeah, but you don’t know it was vamps. Someone told me it was wolves; some asshole dealer pack trying to make a name for themselves. When the bar staff wouldn’t put out, their alpha got a little handy with his fists.”

“Well, whoever they were, I don’t want that kinda trouble here. Now smile… she’s comin’ this way.”

Rhys straightens his shirt; his grin stretches from ear to ear as he greets the arrivals. “Kat… Ryan, so glad you could join us.” Rhys kisses Kat on both cheeks.

“Well, would you look at you? Kat…” Michael smirks. “Maybe you were wrong when you told me you weren’t a hooker?”

“Fuck you,” she sneers.

Digby pushes him to one side out of their way. “Let’s get this done, Rhys. We’re only here for the free liquor,” he snarls.

“Oh, brother dearest… I love you so much too. Please, come this way.” Rhys escorts Kat by the arm; she apprehensively turns around and looking over her shoulder, searches for the rest of the guys. “Where did Riley go?” she frowns.

“Oh, don’t worry, I told Zak to take care of him—and Quinn. What? I told him to be nice,” Digby smiles.

“And where’s Darius? Did you say he’s finding his own way here?” she frowns.

“Yeah, yeah he said somethin’ about how he’d grab a cab and join us later. Don’t worry about him, let’s just get you inside.”

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