Page 43 of Heathens

If he wants to eat, I’ll feed him silver all night.

One of Rene’s men alerts him to my approach and he looks up, lips curling into a smile that’s clearly rehearsed. My jaw ticks, but I try not to let my anger show. He’s not going to get to me tonight.

“Good evening, pet,” Rene drawls. “What can I do for you?”

I grit my teeth as he looks me up and down before turning to his friends.

“Pretty little thing, wouldn’t you say?”

“You were told not to come back, and then you waltz in like nothing happened?Andbreak another house rule?”

He takes another brazen lick of the woman’s wrist, crimson on his tongue.

“Oh, I’m so sorry. I was unaware of these rules.”

I clench my jaw so hard my teeth nearly turn to powder.

“The rules that were given to you by the bouncer when you first came in. Now, I know Ares is great at his job, so he would have told you that you are toonlypurchase blood from the bar, and I know you’ve got two working ears, so there’s no chance you didn’t hear it. What Idon’t knowis how you got back in after the shit you pulled last time. ”

“You seem to know a lot.” Rene grins, showing me long, yellowed fangs. “Did you know your man is foolish enough to take a bribe, too?”

I’m not buying it. He’s not the kind of guy to fold easily. I look to the front door, spotting a petrified Ares staring right back at me. What could they have threatened him with?

Rene digs into his jacket pocket and pulls out a thick roll of cash, tossing it at me. It bounces off of my chest and falls onto the ground.

“There, to show my contrition for my blunder the other night. You can keep the change. It looks like you might need a new skirt.”

I don’t even glance down to see whatever damage Dominic must have done. I know Deschamps just wants to keep riling me up.

“I’m asking you to leave, Mr. Deschamps. For the last time.”

“And I’mtellingyou to get me a drink.” He snarls, his calm demeanor slipping for just a second before he pulls it back together with a smile. “Let’s see what else your fine establishment has to offer. Hell, if I’m so inclined, I might just buy the place from you.”

“Not a chance,” I growl.

His eyes rake up and down my body, clearly irritated by my resistance.

“It would be unwise to upset me, pet.” The girl next to him drags her tongue along the side of his neck. I can almost hear it scraping against his stubble. “In fact, it would be in your best interests tobehave.”

I have to bite down on my tongue as he gestures to the bar with a flick of his head. Dominic is an asshole, but Rene is something else entirely. I want to take my heel off and jam it right in his fucking eye socket.

I thrust a finger out at him, leaning forward until I’m right in his face. His goons shift in their seats, but Rene doesn’t even flinch.

“You getone drinkand you’re out of my fucking bar. For good.”

He reaches into his jacket, drawing out a cigarette and lighting it up without a care in the world. As I turn to walk away, one of his goons snatches my wrist and yanks me backward, twisting it until I’m face-to-face with Rene.

“Anyone ever tell you you’re prettier when your mouth is shut? Because I’m a lot less gentle than Mr. Duncan.”

Claws dig into my arm as he casually blows the smoke right in my face.

I try my hardest to look unfazed.

“He’s been here, hasn’t he? Sniffing around like a hungry dog, I bet. Careful before you answer, I can smell him all over you.”

My blood runs cold as laughter ripples around the table. I feel like a kid being picked on on the playground. My fists clench and I fight the urge to grab the nearest beer bottle, break it on the asshole with his hands on me, and drive it through his heart.

“Go fuck yourself, you insecure,hideousfucking worm,” I spit.

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