“You’re in luck, old friend. There is an event later tonight where you can do just that.”
Hope settles deep in my belly. Violet might be there. I could see my sister again, tonight even. Benny hands Xander something that he grabs from the inside pocket of his suit jacket.
“You’ll need these to get in. I’ve seen the lineup, and they’re offering some exquisite merchandise tonight. If this is your type, there is one who looks a lot like her.”
It takes everything in me to remain in my seat. I want to jump up and demand him to bring me there right now, but I know that wouldn’t help me or Violet.
“Is that so? Well, I guess I’ll have to go and see for myself.” Xander slides the invites into his jacket, and I hope like hell this Benny creep is going to leave now.
Instead, he walks around my chair, standing directly behind me. “I’ll take this one off your hands if you end up buying something new tonight.”
I ball my hands into fists so tightly that my nails dig painfully into my palm.
“I’m not quite done with her yet, but I’ll keep you in mind when I am.” I can hear the annoyance mixed with anger in Xander’s voice even though he is trying to hide it. Apparently, Benny does not.
“How much do you want for her?” He places one hand on the table and leans into my body, lifting his other hand to reach for my cheek. I want to shy away, run to the farthest corner I can to stop him from touching me, but I can’t. Doing so would draw attention to us.
He gets about half an inch away from touching my skin before Xander moves with superhuman speed. He is so fast that I don’t really understand what’s happening… until it’s already done. I watch with shock swirling deep in my belly as he slams his fist harshly onto Benny’s hand, standing up hastily and causing the chair to fall to the floor behind him. I feel Xander’s hands on me and before I can even grasp what is happening, he’s pulling me to my feet, bringing me in to his side.
Benny cries out in pain and when I look down and see blood gushing from his hand onto the white table cloth, I notice a fork sticking out of his hand.
Did Xander just stab him with a fork?
“Don’t ever touch what’s mine. Because the next time you do, I’ll be taking one of your fingers with me.”
I watch in horror as Xander pulls the fork from Benny’s hand. Benny clutches it to his chest, “Of course, my apologies. She’s quite a delicacy… a temptation.”
Xander clenches his jaw so hard I can see the muscles quiver. “Believe me, I know.”
I glance over to Damon, who has Keira pulled into his side, his arm wrapped around her protectively. She looks just as shocked and disgusted as I do. Damon, on the other hand, smirks as if he’s just heard a good joke. I can’t imagine how any of this could be considered funny.
“I look forward to seeing you all again soon.” Benny smiles and walks out of the room. My eyes move to the bloody tablecloth.
“Well, my appetite is ruined,” Damon chuckles, his eyes trained on his brother. “I wasn’t expecting dinner and a show, brother.”
Xander shakes his head, a smile ghosting his lips. “He’s a fucking creep and you know it.” Confusion sinks into my bones. I don’t understand why they’re smiling at each other. Xander just stabbed someone in the hand. Shouldn’t they be trying to hide the tablecloth?
The waitress walks in the room a moment later, fear visible in her eyes.
“We’ll take the check, please.” Xander doesn’t even look at her when he speaks. She rustles through her things before pulling out a receipt. She hands it to Xander, her eyes moving to the tablecloth once more. She scurries away without another word, and we walk out front. Once again, I keep my eyes trained to the floor, and walk arm in arm with Xander, standing beside him as he pays the bill.
I lean into his side and whisper in his ear, making certain no one is nearby, “What about the tablecloth?”
He turns his head slightly and gives me a boyish grin. The smile makes him seem more boy next door than notorious mobster, “Are you afraid that someone might come after me?”
I chew on the inside of my cheek, shaking my head no.
At my response, he leans in closer, his breath fanning against my lips. He’s so close I could kiss him if I really wanted to. Instead, I inhale his scent; sweet whiskey and cinnamon cloves tickle my nostrils. It’s an intoxicating scent, and it warms my body all over.
“Don’t worry, Mouse, nothing’s going to happen to me. I left her a little extra to cover it, and I doubt with the tip I gave her she’s going to be complaining.”