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Vi walked to her bag, a devilish smile on her lips as she threw in a few things that were scattered around and came up next to me.

“That’s what Garrett thinks, but he’s wrong. I’m coming with you, and we’re going to end this once and for all.

vi

. . .

Nick’s eyebrowsmade a valiant attempt to find his hairline as Elsie and I walked up to the door. “Well, well,” the vampire blustered, blowing out a low whistle. “Didn’t want to miss out on all the fun?”

“Judging by your tone, whatever’s going on in there is anything but. No line tonight?”

“The joys of a private party,” he hissed with a roll of his rusty eyes before adding to Elsie,“Dana’s having a fit. You know what Garrett is like.”

“A gross, womanizing, mega icky loser?” she offered, leading me past the vampire and down the steps toward the door to the club.

“Even worse when he’s acting like he owns the place,” Nick sighed. “Good luck, girls. I don’t envy you.”

“Neither will he when I’m done with him,” I growled, and Nick just looked at me funny but didn’t say a word.

I offered him a little wave, letting the heavy metal door close between us, and the sweltering heat of the place instantly enveloped me like a sickly, sweaty fog. We nodded at Diamondat the coat check, using the left-hand side door to enter the main club, full to bursting with vampires and humans alike.

Typical for O on a Friday… Yet altogether alien. The entire vibe of the place was off. The donors, usually happy to float from table to table flirting with guests and offering their services, hung back along the edges of the room, casting glances at each other as vampires circled a group of human women that I’d never seen before. Skin pale, lips cracked, and eyes eerily vacant.

Elsie shuddered beside me, an uncharacteristically protective arm encircling my waist as she pulled me along toward the bar.

Ren’s gaze found me quickly, her eyes widening slightly in a mix of surprise and obvious relief.

I felt a little bad about how things had played out at the bank, the melodrama of the situation obvious now that I’d had enough time to calm down and process. Now that I remembered more and had seen Cherie onscreen. Now that I had yelled at my sibling and Kaylee too.

Even if they had been trying to protect me, they’d hurt me too. And I think we all wished things had gone differently, that compulsion hadn’t been necessary.

That I hadn’t missed out on so much.

I watched as Ren jumped over the bar, leaving Cole to deal with the long line of customers as she made a beeline for us.She was focused on only one thing, and that was getting to me.

Memories—precious, wonderful memories—of a moment just like this after I’d been released from the hospital a few day’s after Juniper’s birthday made my throat tight and tears prick at the corners of my eyes.

I love her so much.

A hand encircled my wrist, roughly turning me to face an unpleasant visitor.

“I thought I specifically told you I wanted you on live bar tonight, little snack?”

I jerked my arm away, glaring up at Garrett’s unevenly stubbled face.

“I don’t take orders from you.”

“Whatever. Showgirl—” The way he addressed Elsie made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck with anger. “Aren’t you supposed to be up there?” He jerked his chin toward the stage. “You don’t get paid to pick up takeout orders.”

“Garrett—” Ren started in a snarl, murderous fury rolling off her, but I put my hand on her arm and cut her off.

“It’s time for you and all your friends to leave,” I said coolly, bringing Elsie closer to my side.

“Like fuck it is, snack pack. Getting pretty bold for a walking juice box. You forget I own this place? Own your little girlfriends too?”

“Funny thing about that,” I called over the music, my hand going into the fold of my purse to locate the manila envelope inside. I pulled it out, removing the document to show the title written in bold font. “No, you don’t. I do.”

Last Will and Testament.