Bevin turned her glare back on Charlie, jabbed a finger into Charlie’s shoulder. “You’ve got some nerve, throwing yourself at him like that, in front of all of us.”
“I’m nobody’s sidekick,” Charlie said, chin raised defiantly. My heart broke for her.
“Bev, give us a break. She didn’t throw herself at him,” I said.
“Did you see it?” Bevin shot back. “Didn’t think so.” She glowered at Charlie and raised her two fingers in a V, pointing them at her eyes. “I’m watching. Just remember that.”
“Carter, a little help,” I said, utterly lost. Carter came forward but Bevin waved him off. A second later, she stalked away on her own with Carter trailing.
When they were gone, Charlie’s shoulders drooped.
“Don’t worry about Bevin,” I said, squeezing her hand on impulse. I wasn’t the touchy-feely type, but it was hard seeing my sister under assault. “She’s always had a hot temper. Nobody thinks that you’re flirting with the enemy. I mean, you’ve never even met Owen before.” Charlie didn’t answer. “You okay?”
“Hmm. Yeah. I just…” She rubbed her hands over her face, as if suddenly exhausted. “I think I need some air.”
“Sure, we could—”
“Alone,” she added.
I let her go, watching her retreat into the darkness of the trees.
I thought about going after her but didn’t want to push her. And I was scared she’d start crying. Or worse, she’d want to “talk.” I had a mental image of putting my arms around her, hugging her, giving her advice. It made me feel awkward just thinking about it. I had zero experience with that stuff. Bevin was the closest thing to a girlfriend I had and the only thing she ever asked for advice on was whether coming in from behind was a better attack technique than head-on.
So I let Charlie go and decided to face the problem from the other end.
I whirled and went in search of Owen. It was time we had a conversation.
I found him huddled up with his bodyguards, talking and laughing with a group of vamps that looked his age but could’ve been older than Moses. You couldn’t tell with those guys. It was one of the undead “perks” they had. They were like freaking zombies or something. We lived longer lives than humans, but at least we appeared to age over time.
Ugh, disgusting walking dead…
I didn’t bother waiting for a lull in the conversation. I pushed between them and raised my voice. “Can I talk to you for a second?”
Owen broke off mid-sentence and the conversation died. I returned their red-eyed glares with one of my own.
I was not scared of them. In fact, part of me wished they would start something. Maybe then we could abandon this ridiculous truce idea—not to mention this stupid marriage idea.
Owen didn’t immediately move, so I added, “In private.”
Owen whispered something to the guy on his right—the hulk menace from earlier—and left the group. I led the way to a corner of grass that wasn’t currently occupied by my side or his.
When I turned to face Owen he had his hands folded behind his back and his feet planted. He looked unassuming, accommodating in his evening wear. I knew better.
“What can I do for you, Vuk?” he asked, his voice smooth as a snake’s skin.
“What did you say to my sister?” I demanded, keeping my voice low. I knew how well these blood-suckers could hear and I didn’t want any of them butting in if they felt like I was offending their prince.
His eyes clouded over. “I’m not sure I know what you mean.”
My fists balled. “Don’t play games with me, Rossi. Everyone saw you talking to her. She’s not equipped to play your games.”
His eyes narrowed. Just enough for me to notice his irritation. “I think that should be for Charlie to decide. She seemed to be handling herself just fine without you.”
I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, right. Just stay away from her.”
He took a step forward so we were toe to toe. “Or what?” The words were spoken softly, no more than a breath.
Heat rose up from my gut and the wolf inside me strained against the fabric of my dress—and the confines of my skin. A snarl rose in my throat. “Screw the treaty. If you harm her, I will kill you.”
“Regan? Everything okay here?” Carter’s sharp voice interrupted whatever Owen might’ve been about to say next. Which was probably good because if he gave me one more sarcastic response, the wolf in me might break free and go for his throat. I took a step back and realized I was breathing heavily.
Carter approached warily, his tie and jacket missing. He still looked handsome in his dress slacks and button-down shirt, but unlike earlier when his green eyes had sparkled at the sight of me, now his gaze swept me, searching. For wounds maybe?
“Yeah, we’re fine,” I said.
Bevin appeared behind Carter. “You sure?” she asked.
I looked at Owen. The challenge had gone out of his eyes. He smiled, his neutral expression back in place like a mask. “I was just telling Regan what a nice night it was for an outdoor gathering. I think I’ll get some air.” Owen left, deliberately turning his back on me as he walked away.
My shoulders sagged. Not so much relief as disappointment. I really wanted a fight. Would it be bloody? Yes. But at least it would mean the end of all this tension.
“What was that about?” Carter asked once Owen was out of earshot. Bevin hovered beside him. Her temper had given way to concern, which surprised me. I didn’t see that often on her. On either of them.
I forced a casual shrug, like it was no big deal to confront one of the leaders of our vampire enemies. “I wanted to know why he was messing with Charlie. And I told him to knock it off. Or the treaty might be voided.”
“Be careful how you threaten him. Your dad…” Bevin bit her lip and looked around, like she expected Dad to be lurking and listening.
Carter’s hands balled into fists at his sides. “But you’re okay? He didn’t try anything with you, did he?”
“I wish he would’ve.” I rolled my neck and shoulders to ease some of the tension. “If he messes with Charlie again…”
Bevin bit her lip. I could tell she wanted to start in again.
Carter spoke quickly, obviously trying to avert another argument. “I’ve got your back,” he said to me.
The show of support surprised me. “I thought you didn’t like Charlie. She’s stealing your spot,” I reminded him.
“She’s part of the pack now. I don’t have to like her to protect her from them. And yeah, she’s taking my spot. I get to be pissed about that. Doesn’t mean I want to see anything happen to her. Or you,” he added.
I nodded, ignoring the way he’d said “you” softer than the rest. Carter was being extra weird lately and I did not have the bandwidth for that problem right now. “Thanks,” I told him.
“You guys, we should get back. Your dad is looking over here,” Bevin said.
She pointed across the field to where my dad stood talking to theirs. Charlie was at his side, looking miserable and ready to bolt. His eyes landed on mine and his mouth hardened; a clear message. I needed to get back to mingling—and putting on a good show for our guests.
“Carter, can I count on you to keep an eye on Charlie like you promised?” I asked.
“Yeah, I got it,” he said.
I nodded without looking away from Dad. “I’ll find you later,” I told them and then gritted my teeth and rejoined the crowd.