Page 35 of Chaos Claimed

He glanced up at Santiago. “What did you do?”

“Me?” Santiago guided Percy toward the bar. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Do I need to unleash crazy on you?” Percy wasn’t an idiot. This place should be packed. Instead, it looked deserted. His jaw tightened when he spotted Elijah peeking around the corner. “Get your ass out here, bestie!” Percy smacked his hand on the counter. “Tell me what’s going on right now.”

“I need a bourbon,” Elijah said to Matias as he passed him.

Bullshit. The last time his best friend had ordered one, it’d nearly taken him out. Folding his arms, he glared at Elijah. “Why does it look like a ghost town? The last time we stepped foot inside this place, it was loud music, a wall of muscular tattooed men, and an amazing night of pool.”

“We didn’t want to overwhelm you.” Elijah slid onto the stool next to him. “This is your first time back here since…” He shrugged, glancing away.

Aww. Percy was going to melt all over his best friend. That was so sweet, but also unnecessary. “Have I told you how much I miss knocking your balls inside the pool table?”

“Pocket,” Santiago groaned. “You pocket balls.”

Elijah snickered because he knew what Percy was doing. “Tell everyone to come out, unless we’re playing a spirited game of hide and seek. If that’s the case, I need a Cosmo,” Percy announced loudly. “Cosmo!”

Matias glared at Percy.

“Might I have a Cosmos, my dear fella.” Percy chuckled.

Matias’s features softened. “Coming right up, Perce.”

Santiago sat down behind Percy, leaned in close, and whispered into his ear, “We doing okay?”

“Swear, I’m okay. Just using a little levity to ground myself.” He placed his hand on his mate’s cheek, giving him a quick kiss. His mate. Percy needed a few drinks before he unpacked that massive ball of unbelievability.

He was mated to a furball. Maybe he was the one who needed a bourbon. It was not only funny, but overwhelming, and he was clinging to levity right now.

“Love you,” Santiago whispered into his ear.

Percy opened his mouth, ready to confess his love for Santiago, when the room began to fill with men, boots and chairs scraping across the floor. Matias reached under the counter and the next thing Percy knew, the music was blasting through the place.

Then he spotted Suero. Shit. Percy needed to apologize to the guy. He’d only been trying to connect to something he’d never had, and Percy had jumped down the man’s throat.

He slipped off the stool, Santiago’s hand falling away from his back. Percy weaved his way around the men, counting to ten in his head to calm his nerves.

“Good to see you again, Percy,” a few men said, though he couldn’t remember their names. He smiled tightly, telling himself to keep moving. When he reached where Suero stood—his shoulder against the wall, glancing at his phone—Percy cleared his throat.

Suero’s gaze slowly slid toward him, causing Percy’s heart to pound even louder than the music. Or so it seemed. “I wanted to say I was sorry.”

“What?” Suero cupped his ear.

“I wanted to say I was sorry,” Percy yelled.

The guy shook his head, pointing toward the ceiling, like he was saying the music was too loud to hear over.

With a growl, Percy yanked the guy down to him, his fingers curled into Suero’s shirt. “I wanted to say I was sorry for acting like a douche!” Percy screamed just as the music shut off and everyone turned to stare at him.

Santiago was across the room in seconds, knocking men out of his way, his sharp teeth bared.

Slowly, Percy let Suero go, running his hand over the guy’s shirt to try and wipe away the wrinkles he caused. “Oops.”

The corners of Suero’s mouth turned upward, then he winked. “Heard you the first time. Couldn’t let you off that easy, though.”

“I—!” Percy deflated. “I deserved that one.” He narrowed his eyes. “Just don’t be asking my mom to bake you any cookies,” he whispered.

“Too late.” Suero chuckled. “She invited me over Friday night for bad movies and junk food.”

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