Over the next several days Xena stayed in my room, not wanting to deal with people yet. I can’t say that I blame her. I wouldn’t want to be around a bunch of random ass people I don’t know after that shit either.

Being a part of a team didn’t give me that same luxury. Using the term “team” doesn’t change that I’m only part of it to be protected.

Although it’s nice to have something to do, it still rubs me the wrong way to need to be protected by these guys. Especially since one of them seems to hate the fact that I’m even breathing.

“Are you even trying?” Talon snaps at me after he knocks me on my ass for the fourth time in training.

I glare at him. “Of course I’m trying you fucking overgrown man-child. I’m just not interested in killing you so I’m not actually trying to hurt you.”

“Talon, man, maybe you should just ease up on her,” Kai suggests. “She’s gonna be covered in bruises before this shits over with.”

“I’m already covered in them,” I point out as Parker helps me get to my feet.

I try to ignore the warmth of his hand in mine and the tingle it sends up my spine. I meet his eyes and flush when I see the heat there before they run appreciatively down my body, making me burn.

Jesus these guys are hell on my libido. I need to get laid.

“She needs to start taking this seriously.” Talon’s deep voice cuts me out of my scandalous thoughts.

“I am taking it seriously. You’re the one who’s more interested in actually hurting me than fucking helping me.” I walk towards the spot I threw my tank top near where Warwick and Hunter stand chatting about god knows what. They glance up when I get near.

I try to hide my discomfort as their eyes trail quickly over the numerous scars they can now see. This is the first time I’ve gone without a huge amount of clothes to hide them while we trained. It was getting tedious so I just said fuck it and went with what was reasonable. It’s hot as shit out here so when we started today, I stripped my top off leaving me in my black sports bra.

The guys tried hiding their shock at the amount of scarring that covers my body but I could still see it. Kai, Parker, and Warwick looked pained at the sight before they all managed to school their features to impassive in no time.

“Everything okay?” Hunter asks.

I grab my shirt and put it on. “Fanfuckingtastic. I’m leaving. I’ll be back tonight before we need to leave.”

Hunter grabs my arm when I turn to leave, stopping me. “At least one of us has to be with you if you plan on leaving the grounds.”

Well, fuck a duck. It was worth a shot.

“Yeah? Well right now I can’t handle anymore fucking testosterone choking me. I’m pissed off and I want to go relax and unwind. I won’t be able to do that if you’re hovering. Or if Talon’s there.” Hot though he is, he’s still a dick.

“How are you going to do that?” Warwick asks, his green snake eyes glittering.

“Leaving,” I answer, knowing damn well that was not what he meant but I don’t want to answer. It’s not his business.

He grins. “You know what I mean. Where are you going?”

I roll my eyes. “Dancing. There’s gotta be a decent place to do that around here and I’m going to find it.”

Warwick and Hunter exchange a look.

Hunter lets out a sigh. “Fine. But we’ll make it a team outing since I know Parker will want to go. We’ll keep Talon away from you and still keep an eye on you to make sure everything’s fine.”

“You’ll keep him far away for me?” I ask hesitatingly.

Hunter nods. “Yes. Kai, Parker, War or myself need to be with you at all times though.”

I snort. “You’re not going to follow me into the bathroom right? That’s taking this shit a little too far.”

Warwick laughs as Hunter rolls his eyes and mutters under his breath what sounded suspiciously like “gods save me from stubborn independent females.”

I say quick goodbyes to the guys and head to my room. Xena’s laying on her bed reading on a kindle when I come in.

“Where’d you manage to snag one of those?” I ask with a smile. We both like to read but she’s absolutely crazy about it.

“Your uncle actually arranged one for both of us. I guess as a ‘sorry your life has turned to shit’ present or something.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, yours is right over there.” Xena points to a kindle laying on top of my pillow.

“God I freaking love my uncle,” I mutter when I see it. Turning to look at Xena I have to clap to get her attention again. “The whole team is going out before we need to head out on our mission tonight. You wanna come with us?”

She looks at me for a moment her face twisted in an odd expression before clearing it and shaking her head. “I better not. I’m just gonna stay here and read.”

“Okay. I’ll see you tonight when I get back then.”

“Yeah, I’ll see ya,” she replies in a weird tone. I turn to make sure she’s okay when I see she’s just tuned back into her book.

She would tell me if somethings wrong. I know she would.

* * *

After putting on a long sleeved purple dress that covers my scars along my back and arms I head down to where Hunter texted me to meet the group.

I’m stupidly nervous because this will be the first time I’ve been around the guys without training or missions standing in the way or being a main contribution to us being around each other.

This is also the first time I’m not wearing pants around them.

It’s a weird thing to be nervous about but when you’re around five extremely hot guys in jeans, you can act like you’re just another one of the guys. In a dress, all of that just goes straight out the window.

I spot Talon first and dear god if he wasn’t such an asshole he’d look probably a thousand times hotter to me.

Eh, who am I kidding? He’s fucking hot anyway. It pisses me off that someone who is that much of a tool can be that delicious.

No, down girl, he’s not delicious. Don’t think of him that way.

“Holy fuck Mercy,” Warwick says when I come into view of the rest of the team at the same time I see them.

Every head turns in my direction at Warwick’s words and I can feel myself flush. I hate being the center of attention in this way. If I’m fighting I don’t care. But when I’m not doing anything but standing there? Yeah I don’t like it.

“Guys, tongues back in your mouths. I don’t look that different,” I mutter.

“No promises,” Warwick says with a wink.

“You actually do look pretty different. You don’t usually wear a lot of makeup but even putting a little bit on and adding the dress you look different,” Parker says. He blinks when I raise a brow at him as if he just realized what he said could be taken offensively. “I mean, that’s not to say you don’t look gorgeous all the time but I just mean- You know what? I’m just gonna shut my mouth now.”

“That would be preferable,” Talon says when the others and I chuckle at Parker. I flash a smile and wink at him to show that I’m not offended by his words.

“Are we ready to go?” Hunter asks. When we all nod he leads us out to the van that we’ll be taking on our mission afterwards.

“There’s a change of clothes for everyone in the back when it’s time to go,” Kai informs us.

Everyone murmurs in response. It didn’t take as long as I expected it to for us to get to Blue Rose. A supernatural club that humans aren’t allowed to go in. One of the few anyways.

Since humans are a main...food source I guess you can say… for certain demons or other supernatural creatures, like Parker or Warwick. That’s assuming Warwick needs to be with humans. There are many different breeds of incubi and succubi and without asking I have no idea which he falls under.

When Talon leads us straight past the line of people waiting I give Hunter a questioning look, since he’s right next to me.

His lips twist into a smirk but he doesn’t say anything. Narrowing my eyes I tilt my head, watching as the bouncer stands straighter when our group gets close.

“Mr. Cole, we weren’t expecting you tonight, sir,” the bouncer says, his eyes shifting around nervously.

“It’s fine. We weren’t actually planning to come out tonight so it was last minute,” Talon responds.

“Ah, well, your private section should be ready for you and your guests.”

Talon nods and leads us inside through the throng of writhing bodies towards a dark area that has a staircase leading up.

“Talon owns this place?” I ask Hunter. It’s too loud in here with the music blasting to try talking out loud.

“He does. We don’t come here often, maybe once a month. If that,” Hunter replies when Talon takes us into a large private room that has a window facing the dance floor and is lined with extremely comfortable looking couches.

The music’s still loud in here but not so loud that we can’t talk and have a conversation.

“What do you think, Mimi?” Warwick asks, using that nickname again.

I grin at him. “I think it’s time to dance. Who’s coming with me?” I ask, glancing at the men staring at me. I roll my eyes. “That is the whole reason I wanted to come out. I’m not dancing in a room with just you guys watching. There’s really no fun in not having a partner and other people dancing around you.”

Kai chuckles from behind me while I walk back out the way we came towards the stairs that’ll lead me to the crowded dance floor. “I’ll go with you. One of you assholes can come take my place in a little bit.”

I fight back a grin as I feel Kai place his hand on the small of my back on the way down the stairs.

“You guys really don’t like dancing do you?” I ask him.

He shakes his head. “It’s not that we don’t like dancing. We just don’t really do it very often. Even when we’re here we usually don’t dance. I think the only one who doesn’t like dancing is Parker because his parents made him take lessons growing up so he hates it with a passion.”

As soon as we hit the dance floor my hips are swaying to the beat of the music and I’m moving along into the numerous bodies pressed together. Finding a spot that isn’t as crowded I dance my way that direction, dancing against people who stop me to dance for a moment before moving on again.

I feel a touch of amusement followed by Kai’s chuckle in my head while I move when I get to the less crowded area. “You almost lost me, sweetheart.”

I grin and shake my head while turning to look at him. “Nah, I knew you’d find me.”

His eyes burn into me as he moves closer to me, placing his hands on my hips. “You’re right. I would have.”

We dance together for several songs, both of us laughing and smiling the entire time. After the fifth song we’ve danced to is done Kai taps out.

“I need a drink.” He laughs. “You’re freaking exhausting.” He says it with a smirk so I know he’s just kidding.

“How about you go get us drinks so I can go to the restroom. Then we can go find out from Hunter when we’re leaving. Or when your replacement gets here to dance with me.”

He pauses. “I don’t think you should go alone.”

I roll my eyes while we walk off the dance floor, both of us breathing heavily and sweating. “I’m going to the bathroom. Not the mall. I’ll be fine. If I need something I’ll call for you or one of the guys.”

“Fine. But I’m walking you to the bathroom. Meet me in the bathroom hallway when you’re done and I’ll have your drink for you.”

I give him a mock salute. “Yes, sir.”

He chuckles. “Whatever, just stay out of trouble, sweetheart.”

Kai walks me to the bathroom door, walking away after telling me again to wait for him in the hallway when I’m done.

I resist the urge to roll my eyes by the time he’s out of sight and use the restroom. While I’m washing my hands a chill slithers down my spine and I look around the room, not seeing anything.

The bathroom door opens and I tense, relaxing when I see it’s just a woman coming to use the bathroom. I chuckle to myself at my jumpiness.

Everything’s fine. No one is here to hurt you. You’re just paranoid as shit, I mentally chastise myself.

I turn the water off and turn around to step away from the sink only to back up into it in shock. There is no fucking way he’s here right now.

How the fuck did he find me so fast?

“Jerome,” I whisper, my heart pounding painfully in my chest.