ME: And what, pre tel, has created this vendetta against my angel? Why does that plastic bitch feel the need to treat her poorly after knowing her a simple few days?
ANDREJ: Do not come down here.
My hackles raise further as I walk into the kitchen.
ME: What. Is. The. Problem.
ANDREJ: If I tell you, you have to promise not to come down here. It will only make the little one angry and possibly fearful. Promise you will not come down here.
ME: I promise. Now tell me.
ANDREJ: Travis has his eye on her.
I had just removed a glass from the cupboard as that message came through and the second I read it, I squeezed so hard I shattered the glass in my palm.
"Oh hell." Henrich groans as he gets up from the table, which is when I realize I came into a packed room, everyone's eyes on me. "Let me see."
I allow Henrich to remove the shards of glass from my hand, knowing damn well the cuts will heal within seconds as I type out my reply with the other.
ME: He has his eye on her how?
ANDREJ: Don't play stupid. You know how.
ME: Has he propositioned my mate? Has he acted on his intentions? He better not have touched her. So help me, Andrej, if he has laid one finger on my mate...
ANDREJ: If I tell you anything I know you will come down here and create problems. I can assure you that he has not touched your mate, has been nothing but respectful, and the little one has zero interest in the man.
ANDREJ: She is far too distracted to pay anyone mind.
ME: Distracted how? Is she worried? Should I come sooner and perhaps have a chat with Travis, make it clear my light is off the table? Does she seem distraught? Should I come down there? I'll come down there.
I tug my hand away from Henrich, glance at my audience then lick my palm. "I have to go. Apparently, my light is having issues with her coworkers. I..." I have become quite the spectacle apparently.
Everyone is gawking at me. Everyone except Henrich who is still fussing over my already disappearing cuts.
Kai and Milos have shit eating grins on their faces.
Hank and Janet look completely in shock.
Karel is laughing, actually laughing, the bastard.
And all three females are staring at me as though I am holding a tray of the coveted raspberry pinwheels from Krazy Kady's.
A look that is confirmed when Allie blurts, "Wow! You really clean up nice!"
"Yeah, Vok, you're pretty hot!" Posey adds just as Kai's grin falls and morphs into a hard scowl.
So, not wanting to disappoint, I swat Henrich's hands away, walk around the counter and do a little spin for all to see. I even grab the hem of my t-shirt and lift just enough to expose my abs, do a slight belly dance then shake my ass for good measure.
The women hoot and holler, Janet included, while the men give me the exact reaction I was looking for.
Jealous anger.
Yep, I was trying to piss them off and I'm proud as hell I managed to.
"Not bad for a reclusive hobo, no?"
Posey cracks up then smacks Kai as he starts to growl. "Really? I mean come on! He got cleaned up for hismate, you jackass. It's not like Havok is going all Magic Mike for us!"
