Page 4 of Bony Bony
ZANE
Giannawas married to a wolf shifter.Sowhat?Ialways got whatIwanted and whatIwanted was her.
Atleast for one night.
Shewas surrounded by friends outside a van in the parking lot, and they sang along to music blaring across the lot.Shehad a beautiful voice, one that had captured my attention as much as her beauty.Simplystunning.Unfortunately, she was also with that mutt she’d married, so this wasn’t the opportune time to seduce her.Iwalked away with my band, and we headed back to our van several rows away.Wewere in the area playing gigs.Nothinglike this outdoor concert venue that fit thousands but smaller clubs.No, we weren’t as big as theCureyet, but we would be one day.Iwas doing whatever it took to make it happen.
Theodor of asphalt and exhaust fumes tainted the air, growing worse when we passed humans who smoked cigarettes or pot.Thestench from dudes with beer sweat was bad enough, whichIhad to tolerate when we played indoor shows.Atleast with an outside show, the scent wasn’t confined in a room and could dissipate through the air.
Ishould have been more insistent withGiannawhen she was alone at the merch stand, but she’d thrown me off when she’d managed to resist my influence.That, combined with her scent, led me to believe she had supernatural blood herself, andIgrew even more captivated by her.Humanswere so easy to persuade.Thetwo women who were draped over each of my arms hadn’t even tried to play coy.Aswe walked over the asphalt, their ridiculously high heels clicked and they held on to me for balance as they teetered along.Atleast they looked good with curves in all the right places.Theywould do for the night.
ButGiannawould take more work, andIwas intrigued.Aftershe’d left the stand,I’dfollowed her through the crowd across the lawn.Unfortunately, that’s where a brawny dude with a beard embraced her in a possessive hold with his meaty paw.He’dhardly be an issue, not if he was as foolish as he and his friends had looked while dancing around like idiots.Atleast, that meant he wasn’t graspingGiannaany longer.Shedanced on the lawn, enchanting me with her sinuous dance.Whena breeze ruffled her dark hair across her cheek, she pushed it back over her shoulders, exposing her neck.Myeyes fixed on that long, smooth column, and my fangs itched to pierce it.Herblood would taste delicious as it rolled over my tongue whileIwas buried deep inside her.She’dlose herself in the raptureIcould bring.
Sheswayed her curves without any self-consciousness, a rare trait in a world where people scrutinized themselves for imperfections, as if thinking people cared that much about them.Nobodycared about anyone but themselves and how to get ahead.
Butthen, her damn husband caught me staring.SinceIwas far from my band and alone, and he had several goofy, dancing goons with him, it hadn’t been the time to engage.Iwas outnumbered.
ButIwasn’t giving up onGianna.Notyet.Infact, the challenge she posed by escaping made her pursuit all the more enticing.I’dget her.She’drealize what she’d been missing out on by choosing to be with an animal rather than an immortal.Whywould any woman make that choice?
Herfoolish husband thought he’d scared me off with that warning growl, indicating he was a wolf shifter, but that would hardly deter me from going after whatIwanted.AndI’dget whatIwanted no matter who stood in my way.
Ihad to find a way to getGiannaalone.
GIANNA
Acouple of nights after the concert,Iwas back in work mode, which meant running my retro rock bar club, “TheDangerZone.”AfterIdealt with the least favorite part of running a business, paperwork and bills,I’dpartake in my favorite part of the club—interacting with people and seeing my club prosper.Ithad come a long way from the lean times whenI’dopened the club.Thosedays included a lot of peanut butter sandwiches.NowIonly ate one whenIhad a craving.Afterall,Iwas married to a chef who loved to ensureIwas well fed.
Ilogged out of my accounts, tidied up the folders on my desk, and locked my office before strolling into the club.DeborahHarry’svoice filled my ears asBlondie’s“Rapture” played over the speakers.Herface appeared on one of theTVscreens we’d added near the bar to play music videos to go along with what was playing.Manypeople liked to glance over at the screens and get a hit of nostalgia from the great visuals of videos from the ’80s and ‘90s.
Itwas still early in the night, soIgreeted the regulars and checked in with my staff.
Oneof my bartenders,Kylie, who often dyed her hair wild colors and now had it electric blue, turned to me. “Readyfor a drink, boss?”
“Yes, indeed.”Itapped my lips. “Howabout aBellini?”
Kylielaughed. “Ishould have guessed.”
Mylove for champagne was well known.WhatcouldIsay?WhenIliked something,Istuck to it.AndnowIwas happily married toSebastian, something a fiercely independent woman with siren blood never thought possible.YetafterImet him, there was no one elseIwanted.Hewas the one.Theonly one.
Plus, he was a beast in the bedroom.
Aftera couple of hours, the club filled up with people sitting at tables rather than congregating around the bar.Withone of our bartenders,Bruno, on vacation in theAzores,Ihelped out behind the bar when it got busy.DefLeppard’s“Photograph” played, and several of us sang along during the chorus.
Aman walking by caught my eye, and he stopped.Hisface was familiar.Attractiveguy, around thirty.Palewith dark hair and silver jewelry.Inarrowed my gaze asItried to place him.WheredidIknow him from?
“Gianna, we meet again.”Hislips spread into a wide smile that revealed white teeth.
Ashard of panic spun through me.Thisguy recognized me, butIwas blanking hard.Imet new people every night at the club.HadImet him here before?
Heplaced his hand over his chest.
“Zane,” he said, refreshing my memory. “Wemet in the merch line at theCureconcert.”
“Zane.Ofcourse.Iremember,”Ilied.Hey, it was better that way than to admitIcouldn’t place him at first.Thatwould only make the other person feel bad, as if they were forgettable.Itall came rushing back.Howhe’d watched me dancing outside the merch line and on the lawn.Ithad been such a short encounter thatI’dforgotten about it.Hewas only some guyIhad brief, polite small talk with.Nothingof importance.
Igestured outward with a wave. “Whata surprise to see you here.”
Hiseyes twinkled. “Iwas about to say the same thing to you.”
