Page 4

She smoothed her face into an expression of innocence. “Give what back?”

He kept his palm out. The angle of his jaw warned he’d stand there all night if necessary.

“Fine,” she huffed, digging into her pocket and laying Gavin’s wallet in Liam’s palm. “I wasn’t going to keep it. He chained it to his pants. You can’t expect me to let that go unchallenged.”

Liam narrowed his eyes. “Let’s see what else you’ve been up to tonight. Empty them.”

She folded her arms.

Again, he waited until she groaned.

“Okay, okay. I don’t understand why you’re being all judgy when you’re the one who taught me to filch in the first place.”

Into his hand went the silver bracelet, a pearl button, a lighter, and a rainbow condom. The last, he arched a brow at, and she choked back a snicker.

His lips twitched. “Thought we agreed you would stay behind the bar.”

“I never left.” Her chin inched higher.

His twitching lip broke into a proud smile. “Fine. Have your fun. But—”

“I know, I know,” she interrupted. “Don’t get caught.” Liam’s motto. She’d heard it a thousand times.

He firmed his granite jaw. “You get caught, and I’ll tan your ass.”

Eye roll. Her ass was in no danger. Liam never so much as raised his voice at her. When he tucked the condom into his pocket and returned the rest, she didn’t dare object.

“How did your business meeting go?” she asked. “Do I need to send someone outside to clean up the mess?”

Liam rubbeda palm over his ragged knuckles.Business meeting.The bastards were lucky he let them leave with just a few bruises. What a waste of time. He had better things to do than listen to a couple of drug-dealing nutjobs trying tobring him into the fold.Like he needed that sort of bullshit in his bar with Alex around. He’d already screwed up enough where she was concerned.

“I doubt you’ll be seeing those two again. And if you find one of them hanging around, you tell me right away. I made it clear they’re not welcome.” Even now, they were probably picking gravel out of their hides.

Alex’s focus shifted to his clenching fists, and her smile wavered. “Are you expecting trouble from them?”

He loosened his grip, unfurling his fingers. No sense worrying her. There was already enough going on in that head of hers. “Nah, nothing I can’t handle.” He tugged on the end of her ponytail, just like he’d done many times when she was younger.

His gaze lingered on her dark red mane, and she slicked her bangs over her forehead. “What? Is something in my hair? I swear that glitter spreads like a fungus.”

“No,” he grumbled with a sigh. “It’s just really…red.” Her golden mane was the reason he’d given her the nickname Sunshine. The red was a glaring reminder of how he’d failed her. It was a mistake he didn’t intend to repeat.

She flicked her hair behind her stiffening shoulders. “Yeah, well, you’re the one who thought I should change my appearance. Since I didn’t want to cut it all off, this was a good compromise. It was eitherRedVelvetorEbonyEnchantress, and you vetoed the ebony,” she said with a disgruntled frown.

Damn right, he did. The black reminded him too much of a certain female with full crimson lips who’d been trying to take a bite out of him for decades. A female with generous breasts and dangerous curves that lured a male in right before she…Ah hell.

He shot Alex a look from beneath his brows. “The ebony didn’t suit you. I still think the change was necessary, though none of the stiffs who saw you at the auction would step foot in a fine establishment like Howlers.” Nor would they report that they’d bid on an unregistered faerie since none would risk facing the Council’s wrath. No, that honor would be his alone. His punishment would be harsh if they ever found out he’d hidden Alex from them all these years.

Shadows darkened her eyes, and Liam wanted to shove his boot into his mouth. Why the hell did he have to bring up the auction? As usual, words of comfort escaped him. He’d had little use for them over the centuries.

“Got that shipment in this morning.”

Alex snapped to attention. Yeah, he figured that would distract her. Not only was she fiercely independent, but the girl was also a certifiable workaholic. She’d damn near taken over the place since he’d allowed her to work here. The Chosen bond had put a strain on them both.

She’d almost driven him crazy before he’d figured out the trick was keeping her occupied. For years he’d watched over her from a distance. Now that she was living under his roof, things had changed. As much as he hated her working in an underworld bar, at least this way, he could keep a close eye on her.

“And the invoice?” She pursed her lips.

“With the others on my desk.”