Page 53 of A Monstrous World: The Complete Series

My bosses suck at running a business. Couldn’t they have warned me that they’re going to be out for a while?

“There was some drama with Emerson’s ex, and Laithe kicked all of us out. I mean, not that I was going to stay and watch the brawl, but?—”

“Damn,” I grumble, cutting her off. “And that’s happening now?”

“Um, as of five or ten minutes ago.” The oversized neckline of her T-shirt falls down her arm as she shrugs a lithe shoulder.

That’s going to be a nightmare to clean up. If an alpha has challengers during a claiming ritual, then they usually fight to the death.

“Wait, her ex actually challenged Dread?” I ask as my brain finally catches up.

I’d be concerned, but I know how hard he is to kill.

“No.” Her head shakes. “He showed up with someone important, though. I don’t know much about shifter culture. Well, outside of dragons, and that’s only because of Veryn.”

“I’m not getting involved,” I say as my brain runs through contractors we’ve worked with in the past. Venom is apparently going to need a remodel. “You should probably get out of here. Isn’t it way past the end of your shift?” My eyes fly to the clock as she laughs.

“Nah, I just got off twenty minutes ago.”

Bane stands across the room, leaning against the wall and intently watching Charity.

“Your escort has arrived.” I nod at the shifter as he crosses the room.

He’s handsome, in that half-feral, dangerous sort of way.

Short black stubble lines his chiseled jaw, and he’s got hair that’s so long on top it’s almost obnoxious, while the sides are shaved.

He’s wearing a puffy bomber jacket and boots that are open at the top.

Charity spins to see what I’m talking about. “After that show I watched at Venom.” She turns back to me, wiggling her eyebrows. “You never know.”

I chuckle. Having grown up in the human world, she seems to forget just how superior some species’ hearing is.

“Have a good night.” She waves goodbye, skipping off toward Bane.

I sigh, scanning for Saber. I originally came into the gambling room to look for him, but he’s likely over at Venom, handling whatever happened with Dread and Emerson.

The days seem never-ending without the bosses around to help put out proverbial fires.

I haven’t had a single day off since Dread claimed Emerson. The days bleed into each other as time flies by.

The Den is on high alert while the owners make a plan to deal with whatever trouble Emerson has following her and her pup.

Marius, Saber, Warren, and Atlas help make do in their absence. We split two of them on each shift, and I run overlap from the evening into the early morning when Venom and The Den are the busiest.

If something doesn’t change pretty soon, I’m going to have to ask for help.

I either need them to start acting like owners again or give me the authority to promote people with full benefits and the pay that comes with their new position.

I may not have a family waiting for me at home, but my quickening is approaching.

I’m exhausted and cranky.

We’re managing, but it feels like every time I put out a fire, two more pop up in its place. There’s also the fact that running a business is nearly impossible when I don’t feel comfortable being around unknown patrons.

Octavia, who presides over the town council, created the entire foundation of Haven hundreds of years ago. Our little town offers sanctuary for all. She isn’t afraid to push back against the paranormal council to uphold the safety and anonymity of every citizen.

It’s still intimidating.

I’m unsure if it’s my family or the fae courts that are searching for me, but I know they haven’t stopped. Bringing hunters to a sanctuary city feels like an awful way to repay the kindness that’s been shown to me.

I still don’t know why they even want me. They may have a plan to use me as a weapon against their enemies, or maybe they wish to eviscerate me from existence. Either way, I’m not keen to find out.

My eyes flick out over the high-roller room. The security viewing area is safe, but I only come up here when I have to.

I scan, carefully taking stock of the remaining monsters.

Saber removed the problematic patrons, but once one fight breaks out, it seems to saturate the air with aggressive pheromones.

I check my watch, rolling my neck to try to relieve some of the tension.

I only need to stick around a few more minutes, just long enough to be sure the others behave now that the troublemakers are gone.

“You’re dead on your feet,” Atlas says, prowling toward me. He came in from the door behind me, but I can see him clearly in the reflection of the glass.

“Oh yeah? Am I swaying?” I smile despite my exhaustion, spinning to face him.

“Not like two nights ago.” His huge hands land on my hips.

My eyes fly up to his, and they sparkle as he stares down at me.

The long hair on the top of his head falls over his forehead as he gives me a serious look.

“Shall we take this to my house? I know your bed didn’t survive the night last time I slept over. ”

I love the playful lilt to his voice, even though it isn’t how it sounds. We haven’t taken the step past cuddling, but gods, do I love snuggling with my giant of a male.

Is it possible to fall in love with someone who you’re keeping secrets from? If it is, it shouldn’t be.

It’s not fair to either of us.

“I’m fine with your house,” I assure him, burying my face in his strong chest. “I should probably stop by and grab clothes at my place before we go, though.”

“That works too,” he says, wrapping an arm under my ass and lifting. I don’t fight it even a little, because he’s warm and feels so much like safety that it’s hard to believe the feeling can be achieved from another living being. “Let’s just get somewhere, so we can call it a night.”

“Agreed,” I say around a yawn.