Rogue (Sons of Sangue Book 4) (18 page)

Anton laughed. “I’m sure there might be one little young thing willing to take pity on you.”

Bobby stood, walked his bottle into the kitchen, and set the empty alongside the others. “I’ll grab my bag, head upstairs, and see you back down here in a few hours. I could use a little shut-eye myself.”

“Sounds like a plan, Preacher.” He slapped him on the shoulder, then headed for his own room on the other side of the kitchen.

Anton needed to move smack … a lot of smack if he were to catch the attention of Raúl Trevino Caballero to get him that much desired meeting. The sooner, the better.

Now that he knew Cara and Hernandez meant to send Grayson’s old lady into the war zone, Anton was going to do everything he could to keep her out of it. No way in hell was he going to have Grayson kicking his ass for her involvement. Cara and Hernandez might have thought it a good idea, but they had yet to meet Tank and Spider.

* * *

Tim McGraw’s
Live Like You Were Dying
filtered through the ceiling speakers. Kimber swayed in her chair, gently in time to the tune. It was one of her favorite country songs and sort of mimicked what she and Anton had been doing since his reappearance in Oregon. Living in the moment. A jukebox, pale blue and red lights circling the glass showcase, sat in the corner of Murphy’s Tavern. If no one plunked quarters into the coin slot, then it had been set for auto play. Kimber had been the one to choose this song and the next three following.

Tena sipped from her glass of pink moscato, while Kimber opted for an ice cold beer. Occasionally, she enjoyed a beer on tap from a frosty mug, over her go to dry, red wine. Tonight had definitely been a beer night.

Murphy’s was more her type of crowd, much more so than the Blood ‘n’ Rave. This crowd consisted of mid-twenty to thirty-somethings and up. A few off duty deputies, she recognized, sat at the next table over. The tavern had a safe, warm vibe. Quite the opposite from the Rave.

When Tena had called, following the evening shift at the library, and suggested they all meet up for a drink, she wouldn’t take a no for an answer. Tena and Chad were bound and determined to get her out of the house. Kimber supposed a night out was better than sitting at home alone. After all, her night had consisted of her sitting in the recliner trying to read, occasionally watching out the side window, in hopes of catching a glimpse of Anton.

Unfortunately, she couldn’t make the short trek to his house. Trouble had followed Anton home. Knowing he hadn’t wanted to introduce her to that side of his life, he wouldn’t be happy if she disregarded his warning.

Taking a sip of her ice cold beer, wiping away the foam from her upper lip with her bar napkin, Kimber had to admit she was glad her friends had called and talked her into leaving the house. No matter how much she wanted to spend time with Anton, it wasn’t going to happen unless Anton managed to ditch his friend.

The bar’s owner, Lyle Murphy, had bought them all a round of drinks. Apparently, Tena had gone to high school with his niece Tamera. Last Kimber knew, Tamera lived with one of the Sons of Sangue and had made Lyle a great uncle. Working at the library, Kimber heard all the latest gossip.

Chad took a sip from his frosty mug, while scouting the room for eye candy. “What about that one?” he nudged Tena with his elbow.

“Not my type.” Tena shook her head. “He’s more your type.”

“I won’t argue with you, girlfriend. I wouldn’t mind getting a little rumpy-pumpy with that wolf.”

“Wolf?” Kimber asked.

“A gay man who doesn’t act like a queen,” Chad supplied.

“Oh… How do you know he’s gay?”

Chad gave Kimber a sideways glance. “You question my gaydar? Honey, did you not just watch his eyes as the man over there with the sweet little ass walked by? No straight man is going to ogle another man’s backside the way he did. I’ll be all over him before the night is over.”

“I have no doubt.” Tena laughed. “Sad, you pick up far more men than I do.”

Not because Tena wasn’t attractive. On the contrary, Tena was very cute. She might not be the next Victoria Secret model, being a bit curvier, but Kimber had always thought Tena cut herself short. She wore her blonde hair pixie style, complimenting her almond shaped, chocolate-colored eyes.

“Oh, my goodness.” Tena gasped, catching Kimber’s attention and drawing it toward the entrance. “Someone please tell me that’s my next meal.”

The large man walking through the door commanded attention just by making an appearance. He wore a pair of well-worn jeans low on his lean hips. A black leather jacket hugged his top half, with two tan stripes running the length of what looked to be very muscular arms. Beneath the jacket he sported a white T-shirt stretched across a massive chest. Kimber had a hard time looking away, even if he wasn’t her type. He wore his beard long as well as the top of his hair, sporting a severe undercut. His bangs damn near reached his chin.

Tena all but salivated while Kimber’s heart skipped a beat. She recognized the man as the same one following Anton home earlier in the day, which meant he might be trailing behind. Not that she didn’t want to see him. Quite the opposite. She hoped he followed his friend through the door, even if just for the chance to ogle. Kimber couldn’t help but worry what his reaction to her being there might be. Anton had no doubt planned a night out, and seeing her hadn’t been part of it.

Thank goodness Kimber had arrived before him. Last thing she wanted was Anton thinking she followed him. Not that she didn’t crave his company, but she’d be damned before she’d make a fool of herself, tripping all over him like a schoolgirl with a crush.

The large, bearded man walked over to the bar, pulled out a stool and sat, ordering a beer from Lyle. He paid little attention to the rest of the bar patrons, and instead focused on his beer. The tavern door opened a second time, producing Anton. His good looks never failed to catch her breath. By the once-overs he received from the rest of the patrons, half the women in the bar thought him damn hot as well.

Anton took a brief glance around, his gaze catching hers and holding. He tipped his chin in a barely-there nod before turning and joining his buddy at the bar, giving her his back. Kimber took another sip of her icy brew, hoping to cool her rising libido, knowing the night wouldn’t end with her getting anywhere close to Anton. He had made his desire clear, to keep them a secret.

If all his brothers looked like the bear of a man who sat beside him, it was no wonder he didn’t want them knowing about her. The large man didn’t appear to be the least bit friendly. As a matter of fact, he looked scary as hell.

“Isn’t that your neighbor?” Chad asked, bringing her attention back to her coworkers.

“It is.”

“He’s super yummy. Too bad he’s a hetty.”

“Maybe for you.” Tena laughed. “We’re quite happy with them being heterosexual. You keep your eye on the candy you found earlier. Leave Mr. Tall, Dark and Dangerous to Kimber. I’ll take Mr. Bear-alicious for myself, thank you very much.”

Kimber chuckled. “Somehow I doubt Anton’s friend would be happy with the title you just gave him, Tena.”

“You think?” She winked at Kimber, then stood. “Let’s just see how he reacts.”

Not giving Kimber a chance to stop her, Tena sauntered toward the bar, causing Kimber to groan.
Not her fault.
She hoped Anton realized she had nothing to do with her friend’s actions or boldness.

Chad, oblivious to Kimber’s distress, clapped his hands. “She
is
good.”

Kimber’s gaze widened. “Are you not worried?”

“Why should I be?”

“That man is an outlaw biker.”

He shrugged. “Sweetie, Tena can take care of herself. Watch and learn.”

Tena walked up to bar and stood to the man’s right, the opposite side from Anton. Both men glanced Tena’s way. Kimber could tell by Anton’s expression he was more than a little curious. Instead of giving the men her attention, Tena motioned for Lyle. Leaning in, she whispered something to the owner, causing him to laugh. Anton briefly looked at Kimber, then turned his attention back to the curvy blonde and his buddy, who was now eyeing her from the feet up.

Tena grabbed her newly poured glass of wine, said something to the man beside her, who responded with a shake of his head and a large grin. Heading back to their table, she added a bit of extra sass in her sway. The big guy threw a ten on the counter, paying Lyle for her drink. Anton laughed, slapping his friend on the shoulder.

What the heck had Tena said?

She sat back down at their table, and smiled, seemingly quite pleased with herself. Whatever she had said, caught the man’s attention enough, because he kept peering over his shoulder at her.

Chad smiled big as could be. “Spill it, girlfriend.”

Tena took another sip of wine. “Give him a few minutes. He’ll be making his way over.”

Kimber leaned forward in her chair. “What did you say?”

“I asked Lyle for a glass of wine and whispered that the big guy would be buying. When the man looked my way, I simply gasped and said, ‘Who let Mr. Bear-alicious in the door?’ I asked if I could buy him a beer. He, instead, insisted on buying mine.”

As if on cue, Anton’s buddy stood, pushed back from the bar and headed toward their table. Chad quickly excused himself, heading for the wolf he had spotted earlier, leaving Kimber the odd woman out. Anton stayed in his position at the bar.

Not waiting to be asked to join them, the large man pulled out a chair, set his beer on the table and sat. “What’s your name, doll?”

Tena toyed with the stem of her wineglass, telling Kimber she was far more nervous than she let on. “I don’t believe you told me yours yet.”

“Bobby. But most call me Preacher.”

“I’m Tena.” She held out her hand to shake Bobby’s. He looked at her hand oddly for a moment, before taking it and giving it a quick shake. “Nice to meet you, Preacher. Thanks for the drink, by the way.”

“My pleasure. You come here often?”

“Not really. But if you’re going to be here, it might become my new favorite hangout.”

Bobby laughed. “And they say men have all the pickup lines.”

Tena shrugged. “Is it working?”

Bobby pushed his bangs back off his face, producing a pair of cerulean blue eyes. “Doll, you were working it the minute you walked up to the bar. You’ve got some killer curves.”

Kimber almost groaned. She wasn’t about to stick around and listen to their cheesy pick-up lines. She opted to risk upsetting Anton and approached the bar. He could always tell Bobby later he had no idea who she was. After all, she had been the one to approach him.

“Hey, handsome.”

Anton turned his head. He greeted her with a grin. “What took you so long?”

“I thought you might be mad.”

Lyle set a fresh icy mug in front of Kimber. Anton reached into his pocket and pulled out a five and handed it to Lyle.

“You didn’t want your friends to know about me.”

“I still don’t.” Anton took a sip of his whiskey. The strong scent tickled her senses. “If he asks, I’ll tell him you were hitting on me. I’m not about to turn away a gorgeous brunette.”

“You think I’m gorgeous?”

“If I could get you alone, I’d show you just how beautiful I think you are.”

“Maybe they’ll leave first.” Kimber’s thumb indicated Bobby and Tena behind her.

“Or we could make quick use of the bathrooms down the hall.”

Her face heated and the sweet spot between her thighs dared her to be bold. Kimber glanced down the darkened hall and couldn’t recall any woman using the bathroom in the last ten minutes or so. Was she actually thinking of doing as Anton suggested? Six months ago, she might have slapped him for such an outrageous suggestion.

Instead, Kimber stood and winked at him. “Let’s see what you got.”

Pushing away from the bar, Kimber headed down the hall for the ladies’ room, praying it wasn’t occupied and hoping Anton didn’t keep her waiting.

Draven paced his lavishly furnished apartment, more nervous than a cat in a dog pound. Brea sat cross-legged on his cream-colored leather, semicircular sofa. A large crystal chandelier cast little diamonds of light about the room, reminding Draven of the sparkle now missing in Brea’s eyes. Most didn’t know about his digs, the Sons of Sangue included. Today, he was certainly glad for not disclosing his home address.

He had returned home from California to find Brea in dire need of nourishment. Her pale, translucent flesh said as much. He had only been gone a few days, but her mate had been taken out five days ago and his dumb ass hadn’t thought about bringing by a donor … until mere minutes ago when he walked through the door and found her curled into the corner of his sofa.

Her beautiful blue eyes were sunken, dark circles rimming her lower lashes. Her cheeks were hollow and her lips were a trembling thin line. Damn, he wanted to kick his own ass from here to the coast and back. Draven picked up the phone and dialed a number.

Brea lifted her tired gaze to his. “What are you doing?”

“Getting you communion. Something I should have done before I left. You need a donor like yesterday.”