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The clubhouse door opened, and one of the younger clan members walked in with his arm wrapped around a woman’s waist. She looked strangely familiar, like I’d seen that frizzy blonde hair somewhere before.

The woman hauled her date up to the bar and shoved herself between me and Cassidy under the guise of waving down Tammy.

“Jeez,” I said as I scooted my stool to the side, “Excuse you.”

“Oh, sorry.” She flashed me the fakest smile I’d ever seen. “I thought this party was for Lakeview locals.”

I cocked an eyebrow. “And you’re a local?”

“Uh-huh. You probably know my sister. Tori?”

“Andi,” Steph growled in warning.

I glanced over my shoulder and shook my head minutely. Whoever this girl was, I could handle it. “I don’t think we’ve met.”

“Right,” Andi said with that same fake smile still in place. “Probably not, since me and my sister have been a little busy tending toourbest friend, whose life you ruined.”

“Oh,she’sthe life-ruiner?” Cassidy asked in a raised voice. “You know, I’m a real out-of-towner, and if you want to see how we do it in Atlanta, I’d be happy to take you outside?—”

“Cass,” I said sharply.

“Just attack dogs all over, huh?” Andi smirked.

I finished off my wine, then turned to face Andi. “I’m only going to say this once, so you better listen closely. This dragon ismine.Always has been. Even when I wasn’t here in Lakeview, we were still connected. Blakely was never more than a hookup. I think we all know that. She never had a claim on him, never even had a real relationship with him. So if you reallydoconsider yourself Blakely’s friend, I suggest you tell her to move on and build herself a real life she can be proud of, instead of wasting your time trying to harass me. You’re embarrassing yourself.”

Andi took a step back from the bar. She looked for the man whose arm she had come on, but he was nowhere to be seen. Smart kid. He’d probably seen exactly where this was going and distanced himself from her.

“W-whatever,” Andi stammered. “These parties suck ass, anyway.” She stormed out of the clubhouse and slammed the door behind her.

Behind me, Steph exhaled. He grabbed me by the waist and spun me around, his eyes burning gold. “That what you did to Blakely?”

I looped my arms around his neck. “I was a little meaner to her, actually.”

“I like this side of you,” Steph said in such a low tone it was almost a growl. Despite the busy bar around us, my world narrowed to his gaze locked to mine. “Possessive little thing.”

“Not any worse than you are with me.” I said. My face felt hot under the intensity of that look. Well. Notjustmy face.

“You think?” Steph teased. He grabbed my thighs and hauled me up like I weighed nothing at all. I squealed in shock and wrapped my legs around his waist as he carried me up the stairs, to evenmorewolf-whistles and hoots from the clan.

“You two have fun,” Cassidy shouted from the bar. “Use protection!”

I laughed and hid my face in Steph’s neck. I was a little embarrassed, sure, but any shyness was outweighed by how good it felt to be in Steph’s arms. How good it felt to be taken care of.Claimed,in a way, in front of everyone.

I could really get used to this.

39

ACE

“’Lo?” I mumbled into the phone.

“Sorry to wake you, boss,” Rome said on the other end of the line. “It’s urgent. Forrest is on the premises. He’s trying to search the place without a warrant.”

“Jesus.” I climbed out of bed, careful not to disturb Harley.

Last night had been a little wild and a whole lot of fun. I’d felt ten years younger. After an intense, heated roll in the sheets, we’d passed out in my room in the clubhouse with the low hum of the party continuing behind us. Harley had been relaxed, too, at ease with the knowledge that Dylan was safe at a sleepover with Hawk, Mia, and Bella.

I pulled on my jeans and jacket, then stepped out of the room. “What’s going on? I thought we sorted this out yesterday.”