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He remembered the way Liam’s demeanor softened when he spoke of his Chosen. A sure sign his friend was attached to the duplicitous creature.

That left Jericho with two choices. One, he could avoid Liam until he came to his senses—and drained the girl. Or two, he could stick around and play nice—until Liam drained the girl.

Jericho nodded, accepting her offer, and damn him if she didn’t look smug.

* * *

The bellon the front door jangled, and Alex shot a glare at the soon-to-be-dead customer who dared enter the bar past closing time.The neon sign is off, asshole. Last call was ten minutes ago.She opened her mouth to inform the latecomer of his deadly error and sucked in a breath.

Shit.

Jericho.

She shivered as a spark tingled down herglyph.

Liam mentioned he was helping Jericho with something tonight. When she’d asked for specifics, he’d been vague, insisting it was nothing she should worry about. Just a little business matter.

She didn’t need supernatural senses to see right through that load of bullshit. Liam was working on something he didn’t want her sticking her nose into. Seriously, sometimes the man treated her as though she were still a child.

Jericho strode to his table, his drool-worthy partner close on his heels. As usual, Colin claimed the attention of every woman in the room. He had the appeal of a corn-fed quarterback with his blond hair and blue eyes. Dressed like one, too, in faded jeans with his threadbare T-shirt.

Still, it was Jericho she couldn’t take her eyes off. He reminded her of a sleek panther with his long black mane, prowling gait, and predatory eyes that seemed to miss nothing. Dark jeans encased his long legs, and a tight thermal clung to his lickable pecs. His leather jacket molded to his shoulders as if he’d spent years breaking it in. Black denim hugged his ass in a way that should be illegal. Lord have mercy, did the vampire fill out a pair of jeans.

He turned and glanced across the room, staring right at her.Crap.Her cheeks warmed, and she spun, facing the rear counter. How was it that men ogled women’s asses every day, and the moment she tried it, she got caught by none other than Jericho?

She braced her hands on the counter and drew a slow breath. It wasn’t like he’d spotted her doing anything illegal—this time.Gah. He’d totally clocked her the night she’d swiped that nose ring off that demon. Was that why he didn’t approve of her being with his friend? Seriously, Liam had done far worse over the years. She bet he committed many of those crimes with Jericho.

Whatever the cause, this tension between them needed to end. For Liam’s sake, if not for her own. Perhaps a peace offering was in order.

She grabbed a bottle of Basil Hayden and spun to find Jericho watching her with a shocking amount of heat in his gaze. Had he just been checking out her…?Nah.She shook the bottle, and that glimpse of warmth turned to suspicion.

He frowned like he might refuse, and she fought the urge to chuck the whiskey at his head.Come on, Jericho. I’m waving the white flag over here.His expression softened, and he nodded.Finally.

She filled a glass and hustled around the bar, plunging into shark-infested waters. Surely, Liam wouldn’t mind her breaking his “stay behind the counter” rule for his best friend.

As she approached Jericho’s table, his scowl smoothed into an expressionless mask. She’d never met anyone more guarded. If she wanted to, she could pull those emotions out with a single touch. Instead of reaching for the glass that she placed in front of him, he leaned back, hands dropping into his lap.

“It’s not poisoned. Promise.”

He ignored the jab, asking in an even tone, “How’s the poker game going?”

His attempt at small talk threw her for a moment. Huh, that sounded almost friendly. Was it possible Liam had set him straight yesterday during their little pow-wow in the office? Perhaps he’d come to terms with the fact she was here to stay. If Jericho was willing to play nice, she’d meet him halfway.

She pulled the towel from the waistband of her jeans and wiped the watermarks on the table to avoid meeting his intense gaze. “Game is Texas hold ’em, fifty thousand to the winner. Liam has high chip count, and they’re down to the last table. Still a couple of side games going, but it shouldn’t last much longer.” With the table spotless, she forced herself to look at Jericho, peeking from beneath her bangs.Just don’t stare at him, you dolt.

“Fifty thousand is a sizable pot. I’m surprised you’re not in back with him. I hear you have a way with numbers.”

For a second, she studied the judgmental vampire, reading the insinuation hidden in his words. “You think I would count cards for him?”

He shrugged.

Asshole. How dare he accuse her of cheating?

In truth, she would totally help Liam if he’d asked her, but Jericho didn’t know that. Besides, there was no reason to count cards when she had a supernatural curse capable of seeing right through the best poker face. She’d used it to help her dad all the time. It was when she’d refused that he’d gotten himself into trouble.

She’d tried being nice, and Jericho practically called her a swindler. Maybe it was time she was direct instead. She canted her head. “You don’t care for me very much, do you?”

He ignored her question, his attention drifting to the front door.