Blood's Fury (Deadly Beauties 1)

It feels good to have him care so much, since I feel the same way.

"I love the fact you went all over town looking for me, but I hate you missed your party full of drunk, smitten-with-you women."

He laughs at my insincere remark, and then he cups my face in his hands before leaning down and kissing me lightly once again.

"I need to go check on Zee and tell him your back. I've got him missing out on all the drunk women, too. I'll be right back. Don't move."

I just nod, my foolish grin remaining intact, as he shuffles back through the mass to head outside.

I look over to see Deke has claimed Sierra's attention. I almost smile, but then my mouth fills with the taste of bitter when I see Amy making her way toward me.

Inhaling a sharp breath, I ready myself for whatever cruel, unnecessary thing she spews through her jealous lips. This past month, I've heard it all.

"I really don't feel like hearing it, Amy. Just enjoy the party and leave me alone," I grumble as soon as she reaches me.

"I don't want to fight. I just came to tell you... look, there's a lot about us you don't know. If you love your family, your friends, your life in general, you need to give up Kane."

My blood almost boils. How dare she threaten me.

"You start making threats against my family, and I'll-"

"I'm not making threats, Alyssa. I'm telling you that choosing Kane has consequences. You'll belong to him. If you don't like the way that sounds, you need to give him up, because he's never going to give you up."

She walks away before I can form some well mastered retort. I glare at her back as she mingles into the middle and starts dancing between some drunken men. I wish she'd just stay away from me.

"What'd she say this time?" Kane asks as he comes up behind me. "I saw her talking to you through the glass. I couldn't get in here before she said anything."

I just shrug it off the same way I always do the things she says.

"Nothing that changes anything. I really don't want to talk about Amy."

His eyes burn against her back, and I'm sure she can feel his glare. She's either enjoying his attention or avoiding his scowl. Either way, I'm sick of his eyes being on her.

"How about showing your girlfriend some attention and forgetting about your ex."

His eyes fall on me as he sighs. "She's not my damn ex."

If you say so.

"Then stop worrying about her. Let's enjoy the night."

As someone cuts the lights up a little, I notice something that had averted my attention earlier. Blood stains his shirt in various places.

"What happened? Are you bleeding?" I panic.

He drops his gaze and his eyes widen as he lets a few curse words flow out under his breath. It's obvious he didn't expect me to overhear his swearing, since he said them so low, and then he starts walking toward his room.

I follow him quickly, still waiting for a response.

"Kane," I prompt.

"It's not mine," he says, finally easing the knot tensed in my stomach.

"Whose is it?"

I shut the door behind me as he strips off his shirt. The light stains don't reach his skin, and I sigh in relief when I see it really isn't his.

"There was a hurt girl with a bloody... nose. I helped her out. I didn't realize it had gotten on this shirt, too."