Page 77 of Mine to Protect

John’s voice turned apologetic as he lowered his tone to talk to her without me overhearing.

My frozen hands and numb nose confirmed it was time to go back inside. Initially, I stepped out to get some air away from the stale coffee and day-old donut smells. It was all too similar to the station back home, where I’d visited several times after everything went down in my apartment. Even though no one pressed charges against Beth, lots of paperwork and interviews were needed to make sure the self-defense case was airtight.

Inside the quilted lined pockets of my coat, I worked on shredding each thumb’s cuticle. “I’m going—”

The two doors at my back swung open, a burst of warm air blowing over my shoulders rustling my hair.

“What the hell are you doing out here?” Cas demanded. Even with my fluffy coat, his grip on my bicep felt tighter than necessary.

“Needed air,” I said, yanking my arm from his grasp before massaging where his hand had been.

Realization flicked behind his eyes as he watched my movements. “Sorry.” Bandaged hand scrubbing at his face, he said, “Don’t walk away like that again, please.”

“Did he hurt you?” John stormed up the stairs, making a beeline for me.

“Can everyone just calm down for a second?” I said, my words dripping with pure annoyance. “What did you two find out in there?”

“You’re not working this case—”

“Fucking hell,” I yelled, cutting John off. Everyone quieted. I never cussed. Guess Cas was a bad influence after all, but hey, it got them to shut up. “Stop it, would you? I’m sorry you’re not in control anymore, and I’m sorry it’s not going the way you wanted, but stop.” Face burning, I turned to Cas, who wore a cocky smirk. “And you.” His smirk fell. “You could see me the entire time, so don’t act like I was breaking any of your rules. And not only that, but I highly doubt the guy doing all this is stupid enough to snatch me in front of a police station!”

The freezing rain trickled in the parking lot as a gust of cold wind barreled through the five of us.

“Wow,” Chandler said, allowing a minute of the other two men’s quiet sulking to pass. “It’s a mix ofLaw and OrderandJerry Springerout here tonight. If you two are done upsetting my friend Birdie, I say we take this somewhere warmer. If we stand out here discussing everything we just learned, I might never see my dick again.”

* * *

The constant yellingaround the sports bar rang in my ears as someone scored, sending the crowd into near hysterics. Had to hand it to Chandler—this was the perfect place, neutral ground for Cas and John to discuss the case without anyone overhearing our conversation. Heck, we’d have to yell at each other as it was.

A young server with her boobs pushing out of the top of the deep V-neck uniform bounced up to our table, eyeing the three men. Immediately Sadie’s arm snaked around John, claiming him as hers, in case the death stares weren’t enough.

“Hi, I’m Becky, and I’ll be helping you all tonight. Want to start with some body shots?” she asked while laying a few cocktail napkins around the table. “I have the perfect place.” Eyes twinkling, Becky looked to Cas.

“Whatever IPA you have on draft,” Cas responded while looking at his phone. I couldn’t stop the smirk that crept up my lips, which of course Chandler caught and returned.

“Same,” Chandler said, still smiling like a fool with a secret.

John ordered some light beer while Sadie ordered a white wine. Cold wine in this dreary weather—no thanks. Becky didn’t bother looking up from her notepad when it came to my turn.

“Bottled water, please.”

“We’re out.”

“Oh, um, okay. How about sparkling bottled water?”

“Aren’t you the life of the party?” Becky grumbled under her breath.

My cheeks burned hot. Under the table, I tucked both hands under my thighs to keep them still.

“You know what, I changed my mind,” Cas said, now very interested in the conversation. “I’ll have the same as my girlfriend here.” He nodded my way before leaning in for a quick peck on the cheek.

“Same goes for me,” Chandler said. “That’s all.”

Embarrassment shifted her earlier snarky attitude to a humble one as she turned on her black sneakers and sulked toward the bar.

“Where do you get your hair done?” Sadie asked out of nowhere.

Eyes a bit wide, I shook my head and said, “I don’t.”

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