Page 15 of Dancing with My Elf
I shot him a look.
“Can you keep watch, too?” Zoe asked him.
Sonovabitch. My former wingman was inadvertently cockblocking me. I was offering to help her in this case to get closer to her. Why was he sticking his paws and claws in my business?
“Sebastian can’t slip through the crowd the same way I can. He’s going to be lurking backstage. If he walks through the crowd, he’ll come off as a creep. Now me.” I pointed to myself. “I can go anywhere, stop by every table. Dance my way to scan everyone in that club for anything shady.”
Zoe stared at me with wariness. “True. Why the change of heart? At first, you seemed reluctant for us to return. Now you want to help us?”
My pulse jolted. I searched for a plausible explanation. “It’s where I work. People I know have been hurt by demons. Nova’s aunt, Margaret, was killed by one. It’s the least I could do.” That was all true. I liked Margaret a lot. She taught me how to garden, and now I was hooked on it. I was shocked when she died suddenly, even more so when we learned a demon was behind it. But I couldn’t swear that my motives were altruistic, especially when I had a far more selfish one in mind with trying to cozy up to Zoe.
We finished up the plan. Zoe, Nova, and Gianna would go in together, acting like they were there for a fun girls’ night out. They would inconspicuously look for signs of trouble as they navigated the club. I would keep my senses attuned for any scents I didn’t recognize, which might require further investigation. I’d shimmy my butt over to their table to clue them in on who to watch.
“It’s settled.” I slapped my hands on my thighs. “Don’t worry, I’ll put on a good show.”
Gianna cheered. “Yeah, Lucas, bring it!”
Sebastian chortled. “I’m kind of looking forward to this now.”
“Really?” I arched my brows. “You want to see me shake these goods?” I stood before him. “I’ll give you a preview.” I turned around and twerked.
Gianna clapped and wolf whistled.
Sebastian slapped my ass. “Get that shitshow out of my face.”
I turned back to face him and put my hand on my chest. “Shitshow? I put a lot of effort into my performances to make sure everyone is entertained.”
“Oh yes, super entertaining,” Nova agreed with a wry grin and a hint of sarcasm.
“Your taste is suspect,” I teased. “After all, you’re dating a walking corpse.”
“Ha.” She laughed. “Diego is more alive than many of the guys I’ve met.”
I exhaled and motioned to the stairs. “Next thing I know, he’ll be joining this merry band.”
“I’ll ask him when he wakes up,” Nova replied.
“I waskidding,Nova. I don’t need everyone I know bumbling over each other—especially as amateurs in an undercover investigation—at my work.” I stared at her and came up with something else to impress Zoe, one of my more difficult routines. That should help undo my first blundering impression. “Maybe I’ll put on a special little performance for you all tonight.”
“Please don’t.” Nova’s expression turned wary. “No really. Please. Don’t.”
“Looking forward to it.” Gianna leaned back and placed her arm on the back of the sofa.
“Not too much,” Sebastian teased.
“Just doing what I can to help out for a good cause,” Gianna declared with a sweet smile.
I stole another glance at Zoe. “See you tonight.” I smiled and sauntered away.
Chapter 4
Lucas
Backstage, I prepped for the performance, ensuring body parts were tucked away. I covered up with a trench coat.
Sebastian texted me that he’d arrived. I instructed him to meet me at the back door. When I opened it to the main area of the club, Diego stood beside Sebastian. They both wore all, their hair almost as dark as their clothing.
I motioned at them. “Oh man, both of you? And dressed like ninjas in training?”
