Page 20 of Vipers and Vendettas

‘Uh, yeah, I’ll do that,’ I mumble, moving my feet out to leave the booth.

He rolls his eyes. ‘I know you don’t have a car, Marie.’

My eyes narrow at him. ‘You been following me, too?’ I can’t help the bite in my voice.

He puts a hand up. ‘Not at all. Mark actually saw you heading down a dead-end alley the other night.’ He shifts, looking a little uncomfortable. ‘Look, I don’t usually make my employees’ personal lives my business, but … if you need a place to stay, I can front you some cash to get a room.’

He thinks I’m homeless.

I can’t help my small smile. ‘Thank you,’ I say, still a little confused by his caring attitude toward me, ‘but I have an apartment. I’m fine.’

‘Okay,’ he says slowly. ‘Then, when your shift is done, I’ll be walking you home. If I’m not available, Mark or Lesley will do it.’

‘I—’ I shake my head. ‘Do you walk any of the other girls home?’

I try not to sound angry, but I am. I’m trying to be a regular human for the first time in my life. Why is he treating me differently than the others?

‘No, but they all park in view of the door. If there’s a problem, Mark or Lesley can handle it. You walk off into the dark and have guys following you, Marie. It’s not safe.’

‘Why do you care?’ I ask, trying to figure him out.

‘Why don’t you?’

I sit back and regard him. ‘You aren’t going to let this go, are you?’

‘No. I have a duty of care to my staff.’

I roll my eyes. ‘Why did I have to get the only strip club owner with scruples?’ I mutter.

A laugh rumbles through his chest. ‘You’re just lucky, I guess.’

I watch him for a minute, taking in the set of his jaw and his determined eyes. He’s not going to budge on this.

I’ve spent the last three months being another version of myself, one who doesn’t draw attention or make waves. I’ve tried to become my interpretation of a normal human woman in reduced circumstances. But that isn’t going to work here with Stephan.

Placing my hands on the table in front of me, I clasp them together and straighten my posture, letting my other self, my real persona, fall into place. I revel in the feeling, that instant self-assuredness that I love.

It’s been getting progressively more difficult to find it since the Mountain, and I have this sneaky suspicion that it’s since I’ve been pregnant. Maybe it's hormones. The books do say they can make mommy-to-be emotional, and I’ve definitely beenthat.

I see Stephan’s own posture change as he sees me properly for the first time. ‘Well, well, well,’ he murmurs. ‘I get the feeling I’m about to get a bombshell dropped on me. You on the FBI's most wanted list or something?’

I give him a polite smile. ‘Look, you’re making this difficu?—’

I break off as his eyes narrow, and I know I’ve somehow insulted him.

‘I’m sorry, but Mark or Lesley can’t walk me home,’ I say.

Stephan sits back, his predatory eyes glinting at my refusal.

I haven’t seen this side of him before. I guess we’re both revealing our true selves.

He’s definitely part shifter. Guess that’s why he’s so protective of those he considers vulnerable.

It’s kind of sweet that, whether he realizes it or not, he considers me pack on some level.

It makes my anger at his high-handedness melt away a little.

‘Can’t?’ he growls.