Page 44 of Conquering Oz

This wouldn’t be addressed tonight, especially in a public forum. He gave Nash a curt nod and started through the room. When he was ten feet away from the table, he glanced over, meeting Garner’s stare. Most people shied away from any directeye contact with him. Not Garner. It was a move he’d respect in any other realm. But in Oz’s world?Know your place.Oz had no doubt Garner would come to him with valid reasons for his mistake. All of which would be a lie. Oz knew the Underground world better than most. Had the transport not been caught, Garner would’ve tried to fly under the radar across the whole state.

Oz stalked into the back room. As expected, it was empty except for Elodie in the corner table. She had her head down, studying the menu with her brows forming a tense, tight scowl. She nibbled on her bottom lip. Oz had an idea of what had caused her sudden state of distress. Considering her current financial state, this restaurant would be out of her price range. Unbeknownst to her, that wouldn’t be a concern.

When he took his seat, she jerked her eyes.

“Is everything okay?”

Underground matters were never up for discussion. But she didn’t know that.Or does she?Oz was still on the fence with Elodie. Aside from her encounter with Sal, nothing pointed to her knowing about the organization. But he couldn’t dismiss the coincidences. Oz didn’t believe or buy into them. Ever. He ignored her question and lifted his chin to the menu.

“Have you decided?”

She slid her finger over her lip, dropping her gaze to the menu. “I think so.”

When the waiter arrived, they placed their order. As expected, she opted for a less expensive entree though nothing on the menu was cheap. As of now, she was under the impression she’d be paying for the meal. He resisted the urge to smile.

His attention had been so focused on Elodie that it had just occurred to him they hadn’t ordered drinks. He looked across the room to call over the waiter. Surprisingly, he was on his wayback to their table with a tray and two drinks. Oz hardened his gaze, sending a glare at the lanky man.

“I ordered you a whiskey,” Elodie said, and he shifted his gaze just as the soft pads of her fingers slid over his hand. “I said anything top shelf because” —her lips twitched— “you look like a top shelf type of man.”

She was taking liberties most people wouldn’t have dared. She pulled her hand away, and he immediately felt the loss of her touch.

The waiter stopped at the end of the table, placing her wine in front of her and then his whiskey. Oz grabbed the glass taking a sip, aware that she was watching him. It wasn’t his usual brand, but it was indeed top shelf.

“How’d I do?” There was a tease in her tone.

“Not my first choice.”

Elodie snickered and glanced across the room, taking no offense at his dig. “Such a hardass, Oz.”

In a world where only a select few were comfortable in his presence, Elodie seemed completely at ease. And though he’d deny it if asked, he liked that. It also peeled away a layer of his suspicions. It was clear, in her mind, she wasn’t sitting across from the king of the Underground.She’s having dinner with Oz.

“Do you come…”

Elodie was in mid-sentence when he noticed a man approaching their table. And he wasn’t staff. When he caught Cyrus and Caine stepping forward, Oz subtly shook his head. There was no need for theatrics, especially in front of her. He’d handle this.

“Oz,” Garner said, then turned, smiling down at Elodie. “My apologies for interrupting.”

Garner offered his hand, which Elodie immediately shook. An unfamiliar heated anger raced through Oz’s blood. Acombination of possession and protection.Don’t fucking touch her!Oz clenched his jaw in an effort to retain his control.

“Ted Garner.”

“Elle Martin.”

“Elle.” Garner nodded. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, and again, I’m sorry for the interruption.” Garner shifted his gaze over at Oz. “I need a minute of your time. It’s urgent.”

Motherfucker.

“No.”

The room was drowned in silence. Even without looking at her, Oz sensed Elodie’s tension.

“My intention wasn’t to disrupt your dinner…”

“Yet here you are doing exactly that.” Oz’s tone said it all.

Elodie cleared her throat. “I can go…”

Oz jerked his gaze and hardened his stare. Elodie straightened her back, seemingly uneasy but she remained seated.Good girl.

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