Venom. Part 4

"Is there something I can do for you, Roslyn?" I asked.

Roslyn chewed her lip for a few more seconds. Then she nodded. "Yeah, actually there is-"

"I thought I told you to wait in the back for me, baby," a low voice cut through the crowd.

Roslyn's eyes widened, and she froze. Pure, undiluted fear filled her toffee eyes. The emotion rolled off her the way magic might an elemental. I could feel the cold chill of it just like I could the one emanating from the Ice bar several feet away.

I looked past Roslyn to the man speaking. Seven-foot frame. Pale, albino features. Light hazel eyes. And fists the size of hams. Elliot Slater regarded the lovely vampire with a cold expression that indicated that she'd done something very, very wrong.

f.u.c.k. What was the giant doing here? I palmed one of my silverstone knives under the table. Beside me, Owen Grayson frowned, but he didn't move or say anything. Smart man. If he even hinted to Slater that I had a weapon, Owen would find himself drinking through a straw for the rest of his life-at the very least. Despite the hot tingle of attraction that still sizzled in my stomach.

Roslyn plastered a fake, strained smile on her face and turned to face the giant. I scooted a little closer to the edge of the booth, just in case I needed to get up and stab Slater in a hurry.

"h.e.l.lo, Elliot." Roslyn's voice was as silky as ever, but an undercurrent of fear and stress colored her tone.

Before I knew what was happening, Elliot Slater reached forward, grabbed Roslyn by her neck, and yanked her up against his body. "I told you to wait in the back for me, baby. Not be strolling around out here for every d.i.c.k to get a good look at you. You're mine now. Or have you forgotten that?"

His? Roslyn was his? What the h.e.l.l was going on here?

Roslyn tried to smile, but it didn't come off very well. "Now, Elliot, we've talked about this. You know I have to come out into the club at night and mingle with people. It's expected of me."

The giant shook her the way a terrier might snap a rat's neck. "And I've told you that n.o.body sees that hot a.s.s of yours but me. Understand, baby?"

By this point, other people had noticed the confrontation, including Finn. He'd pushed away from the bar and the blond hooker and was headed in Roslyn's direction. What did he think he was going to do? Other than get beaten to a b.l.o.o.d.y pulp by Elliot Slater?

Somebody else was also interested in the situation. Xavier, part-time cop and the nightclub's main bouncer, pushed through the crowd. The giant stepped up to Slater.

"Let her go," Xavier's voice boomed out through the club. The giant's hands clenched into fists, ready to lay a hurt on the other man. "You're not welcome here anymore."

A hush fell over the crowd. The dancers stopped dancing, the smokers stopped smoking, the drinkers stopped drinking. Even the people getting busy under the tables paused in their pa.s.sionate embraces. Everyone focused on the scene before them, and everyone backed away from the two men. n.o.body wanted to get in the middle of a dispute between two giants.

Elliot Slater regarded Xavier with the same cool expression he had Roslyn a moment ago. Then he used his incredible speed to sucker punch the other giant. Xavier didn't see it coming, and Slater's fist hit him square in the throat with enough force to kill a cow. Xavier crumbled to the floor, gasping for air. A couple of the club's other bouncers stepped forward to come to their boss's defense. Slater snapped his fingers, and two giants shouldered through the crowd so that they stood behind him, guarding his back. They were the same goons who'd held my arms while Elliot Slater had beaten me two nights ago.

Xavier wheezed on the bamboo floor, and Elliot had Roslyn's neck pulled so far back he could snap it with a thought. I looked at Finn. He grabbed a beer bottle off the closest table and nodded at me. I nodded back. Underneath the table, Owen Grayson's hand settled on my leg. I glanced at him. The businessman had his hand wrapped around his gla.s.s of scotch, ready to use it as a weapon. Grayson winked at me. Whatever Finn and I were going to do, he was up for it. I had to admit the wink was kind of s.e.xy. It made me like him a little more.

Elliot turned his attention back to Roslyn. "Now, baby, we're going to go in the back and talk about you disobeying me yet again."

Elliot leaned down and planted a gentle kiss on Roslyn's trembling lips, as though she was the love of his life. As though she was actually precious to him-and he wasn't an inch away from ending her existence.

I tensed, getting ready to strike while he was distracted.

But before I could move, I heard the distinct click of the hammer being thumbed back on a gun in the hushed silence. Well, that certainly made things much more interesting.

Slater heard it too. He broke off the kiss and turned, moving his body enough that I was able to see past him and get a look at the person pointing a gun at his head-Bria.

5.

Elliot Slater didn't seem particularly concerned that Bria had a gun leveled at his head. No real reason to be. Giants had thick skulls. Only way to do much damage was to put something through their eyes and up into their brain. Most people just couldn't shoot that well under pressure.

As for her part, Bria didn't seem particularly concerned that Slater was looking at her like he was going to rip her head off her body, scoop out her spine, and eat it for dinner. Instead, she regarded him with a cold gaze, her eyes like sapphire chips of ice in her lovely face.

"I think the lady wants you to leave her alone," Bria said in a hard voice. "So why don't you do that? Right now."

Elliot released his hold on Roslyn, who stumbled away. Owen slid out of the booth and caught the vampire before she hit the floor.

"Do you know who I am?" Slater rumbled. "Who I work for?"

Bria smiled, and her eyes iced over even more. "Elliot Slater. Head of security for Mab Monroe. And, given what I've seen here tonight, a prime-A b.a.s.t.a.r.d who enjoys intimidating women."

The giant's hazel eyes narrowed with malice. Shocked murmurs rippled through the crowd. No one could believe what they were seeing-someone standing up to Slater and his goons.

"In case you don't know who I am, let me share." Bria reached into the pocket of her black leather jacket and came up with a gold badge. She held it up so the crowd could get a look at the shiny metal. "I'm a detective with the Ashland Police Department."

Despite the situation, I couldn't help the spurt of warm pride that filled me. Not because I had any great love of the police, but because of Bria. My little sister was actually standing up to Elliot Slater, actually trying to help Roslyn, who was so obviously in trouble. It might have been stupid, taking on someone as powerful and well connected as Slater, but I didn't see any fear in Bria's face-just cold, hard determination. She wasn't a pushover any more than I was, which made me like her all the more. Maybe we had more in common than I'd thought. Maybe a lot more.

"Aren't you off duty tonight, detective?" Slater asked.

"I was enjoying the music and a mojito-until you started making trouble," she snapped. "But cops like me never really go off duty. So unless you leave the premises immediately, Mr. Slater, I'm going to arrest you for a.s.sault, among other things."

Slater crossed his arms over his chest, considering the situation. I gathered my legs under me, ready to leap up and strike. If Slater made a move toward Bria, he was dead. I'd climb on his back, reach around, and slit his throat if he so much as touched her. The giant wasn't going to hurt my sister like he had me at the community college. I'd deal with the consequences-and Mab Monroe-later.

I glanced at Finn. He still held the beer bottle down by his side. He'd slipped through the crowd so that he was behind the two giants Slater had brought along for backup. Finn and I had tag-teamed more than a few people in our time. He'd deal with the underlings and keep them busy, while I went after Slater.

Elliot stared at Bria a few more seconds, then uncrossed his arms. "Fine. I'll leave. Wouldn't want you to have to work any overtime tonight, detective." The giant turned toward Roslyn, who huddled on the floor next to Owen Grayson. Slater put two fingers to his lips and blew a kiss to the vampire. "Later, baby."

People scurried to get out of Slater's way as he strolled across the dance floor. His two goons gave Bria the hard stare a moment longer, before they followed their boss out into the night.

Bria kept her gun level with the giants' broad backs until the three men exited the club. Then she lowered and holstered her weapon. Bria let out a breath and tucked her blond hair back behind one ear. Her fingers twitched with the motion. Natural to feel a little shaky after threatening to kill one of the most dangerous men in Ashland.

But Bria put her game face back on and went over to check on Roslyn. My sister knelt down beside the vampire and murmured to her. Roslyn shook her head and hugged her arms to her chest. Once again, that spark of warm pride filled me at Bria's caring actions. She really was good, strong, determined. Reminded me of me. Well, except for the good part.

Since I didn't want to get in the middle of the two of them, I drained the rest of my gin, dumped the ice in a c.o.c.ktail napkin, and went over to Xavier. The giant slumped against the side of a booth, just trying to breathe. His black eyes looked dull and defeated underneath the club's soft lights. A sneer twisted Xavier's lips, as though he was disgusted at himself for not being able to get rid of Slater all by his lonesome.

"Here," I said, holding out the ice-filled napkin. "Put this against your throat. It'll help with the swelling."

The giant still couldn't talk, but he nodded his head and took the napkin. Finn worked his way through the chattering crowd and hunkered down beside us.

"Is he going to be okay?" Finn asked in a soft voice.

"He's still breathing, isn't he?" I snapped.

Normally, I wouldn't have been so harsh with Finn. But now I knew exactly why he'd dragged me to Northern Aggression tonight and what that little problem was that Finn had promised to help Xavier with-Elliot Slater's creepy fixation on Roslyn Phillips. Finn had brought me here so I'd see it firsthand, so I'd see exactly how terrified Roslyn was of Slater. Finn had set me up. Brought me here to have my heartstrings plucked.

And it had worked.

I stared at Finn, the knowledge blazing in my eyes. He dropped his gaze from mine. Guilty as charged.

"Is there anything I can do for him?" Finn asked in a low tone.

"Go get that tub of Jo-Jo's healing ointment you keep stashed in your car. Xavier needs it more than you do tonight."

Finn nodded, got to his feet, and left. I turned back to the giant, who was staring at Roslyn. Concern filled his dark gaze, along with other soft, warm emotions. The poor guy could barely squeeze in enough air through his bruised throat to keep going, and his only thought was the vampire. If he could have, I imagined Xavier would have crawled over to her and cradled her in his ma.s.sive arms. Xavier's being in love with Roslyn was going to make all this that much more difficult.

"Xavier."

The giant's head swiveled back around to me.

"I want you and Roslyn to come down to the Pork Pit tomorrow for lunch so we can talk about some things," I said. "Understand?"

Xavier slowly nodded. Surprise flickered in his black gaze, along with another emotion that made my stomach twist. Hope.

"Let's make it a late lunch, say around two o'clock."

The giant nodded again.

"Good," I said. "See you then."

It wasn't long before the music cranked back up, and everyone returned to their previous occupations. Smoking, drinking, dancing, f.u.c.king. As though the events of a few minutes ago had never happened. Some folks in Ashland had real short attention spans.

Finn came back in with the ointment, which I slathered on Xavier's throat. In addition to healing with their hands, Air elementals like Jo-Jo Deveraux could also infuse their oxygen-rich magic into certain products to give them an extra kick, like antibiotic ointment. Xavier sat still while the shiny grease worked its magic. Less than a minute later, the ugly, purple, fist-shaped bruise on his throat faded, the swelling went down, and his breathing eased into a wheeze-free pattern of inhalation and exhalation.

As soon as he could, Xavier got up and went over to Roslyn, who was still talking to Bria. Or rather still not answering Bria. The vampire had pulled herself up into a booth, where she sat staring off into s.p.a.ce. Bria perched beside her, speaking in low tones. Probably talking to Roslyn about Elliot Slater and trying to get the vamp to press charges against the giant. But Roslyn wasn't answering.

Frustrated by the vamp's lack of response, Bria got to her feet and paced back and forth in front of the booth for the better part of a minute before sitting back down next to the vamp and trying again. Her mojito and night of clubbing were long forgotten. My sister seemed to take her job as a member of the po-po seriously. As proud of her as that made me, I also knew it was something that could be problematic for me later on-for any number of reasons.

Since Roslyn was otherwise occupied, Owen Grayson drifted in my direction. By this point, I'd moved over to the Ice bar and ordered another gin. One that tasted even more bitter than my first two. But it didn't much matter, since Finn had gone out to get his car and take me home. I'd seen what he'd wanted me to see. No more reason to stick around the club tonight. Besides, I'd never been one to stay and gawk at the messy aftermath and cleanup. My former profession as an a.s.sa.s.sin had precluded that sort of thing anyway.

Grayson took the stool next to me and ordered another scotch. His violet eyes cut to his sister Eva, who was once again grooving with the rest of the folks on the dance floor. After he'd made sure she was okay, Owen turned his gaze to me.

"You know, Gin," he said. "You never did answer my question."

Owen Grayson was persistent, if nothing else. I thought of the way he'd been ready to back me up against Elliot Slater-and how he'd caught Roslyn after the giant had shoved her away.

"All right," I said. "I'll have dinner with you, Owen."

A smile stretched across his face, softening the hard cut of his features. "Excellent. One night this week?"

I shrugged. "Sure. I'll call you."

"Try not to sound too enthusiastic," he replied in a dry tone. "Or I won't be able to contain myself. My ego might get inflated or something."

I grinned at his sardonic humor. My eyes drifted over his broad shoulders and strong body again. I remembered the way Owen had held my hand-and the surprising warmth it had stirred in me. I finished the rest of my gin and got to my feet.

Then I leaned over and put my mouth close to Owen's ear. "Actually, I prefer to save my enthusiasm for more worthwhile pursuits-like those in bed."

"Can I get that in writing?" he murmured.

Owen turned his head so that his lips were an inch away from mine. I stared into his violet eyes, and his scent washed over me-a rich, earthy aroma that made me think of metal. I leaned forward and brushed my lips over his. It was a light, brief contact, and nothing like the frenzied, tongue-driving kisses I'd shared with Donovan Caine. Still, more sparks sizzled to life in the pit of my stomach at the feel of Owen's mouth on mine, at the warmth of his body mingling with my own. Mmm. Maybe having dinner with Owen would be more fun than I'd imagined. Maybe so would a lot of other things.

I pulled back. Desire brightened Owen's eyes so that they almost glowed, but I found myself looking for other emotions in his gaze. For the guilt and grief and tinge of fear that had always swirled in Donovan Caine's eyes whenever he looked at me. But I didn't find them. Only desire and determination.

"If that's a taste of what's to come, I can hardly wait for dinner," Owen murmured.

"Try not to sound too enthusiastic," I quipped. "Or I won't be able to contain myself."

He grinned. "Can I get that in writing too?"

I laughed. Owen joined in with his own throaty chuckle. Feeling strangely lighter than I had in a long time, I winked at him and strolled away.

Thirty minutes later, Finn drove up a long, snaking driveway that wound up one of the many steep ridges of the Appalachian Mountains that cut through Ashland like rows of sharks' teeth. We hadn't spoken since we'd left Northern Aggression. Finn realized I was royally p.i.s.sed at him for snookering me into going to the club in the first place. He had the good sense not to try to weasel his way out of it. Tonight, at least.

The driveway opened up into a small clearing on top of the ridge, and Finn stopped his Aston Martin in the gravel outside Fletcher Lane's house.

In addition to leaving me the Pork Pit and a fat chunk of change in his last will and testament, the old man had also bequeathed me his house, a three-story, clapboard structure that had been built before the Civil War. Over the years, the home's various owners had added on to the original structure in a variety of styles. In addition to its white boards, the house was a mishmash of gray stone, brown brick, and red clay. A tin roof covered the entire structure, along with black shutters and blue eaves. The whole thing resembled a ragged doll's house that had been constructed with leftover pieces. But it was home to me. Always had been, always would be.

Finn sighed in the darkness. "Gin, I-"

"We'll talk about it tomorrow," I said, turning to look at him. "When Xavier and Roslyn come to the restaurant for lunch."

Finn blinked. "They're coming to the Pork Pit?"

"At two. Be there."

He hesitated, then nodded. "Thank you, Gin."

"Don't thank me yet. I haven't done anything."

"But you will," Finn replied. "And that's all that matters."

He reached over and squeezed my hand. Despite the fact I was still angry at him, after a moment I squeezed back. Like it or not, Finn was like a brother to me-and in the end, that was all that really mattered.

6.

Finn promised to be at the Pork Pit tomorrow when Roslyn and Xavier showed up; then he drove back to his apartment in the city. But instead of immediately heading toward the house, I stood in the driveway, listening to the gravel underneath my feet to see if I'd had any unexpected visitors today. I might not be the a.s.sa.s.sin the Spider anymore, but there were still plenty of people who'd like to get their hands on me, including Jonah McAllister.