Chase crossed his arms over his chest. “I could start this by casually introducing myself, asking your name, and then subtly quizzing you while also doing my best to look all intimidating. But I don’t play games. I know who you are. I’m pretty sure you know who I am. I’m also pretty sure you know what brought me over here.”
Zander liked his directness. “Gwen.”
“Gwen,” confirmed Chase. “If you know who she is to me, to my fiancée, you know exactly why I’d be concerned about her.”
“I’m not going to hurt her.”
Chase snorted. “I doubt you even could. Gwen’s an emotional badass. It’s more likely that she’ll hurt you.”
Zander couldn’t even argue that.
“No, what worries me is that you marked her. I may not understand all the ways of shifters, but I do know that branding someone is no small thing. Does she know that?”
“You’re insulting Gwen’s intelligence by asking that question.”
Chase made a sound of impatience. “Gwen isn’t a person who lets people mark her as theirs in any sense of the word. She runs a mile from possessiveness. Did you play it down and tell her it was a hickey?”
“Why don’t you ask Gwen these questions? Probably because she’d tell you to mind your own business. Tell me why I shouldn’t say the same thing.”
His jaw hardened. “She’s practically my sister-in-law. I look out for her.”
“Yeah? If you’re so protective of Gwen, why haven’t you thrown Aidan out?”
“Because you’re here, and I knew you were involved with her. I figured it would be a good thing for him to see her with someone. Then maybe he’ll let her go. At some point, I will punch him in the dick. For now, I’ll teach him the same lesson you’re teaching him.”
That Gwen was taken. “If you don’t have an issue with Gwen being with me, why does the mark bother you so much?”
“Because the Gwen I know would never say she belonged to anyone but herself.”
“Then I guess you don’t know her as well as you thought. You made assumptions based on how she acted with her past partners. I’m not them.” Zander strode past him, heading right for the door. As he was leaving, he heard Chase’s voice behind him.
“I hope that’s true, because those were all assholes. She doesn’t need another asshole.”
Speaking of assholes . . . the moment Zander stepped out of the restrooms, he saw Aidan making a beeline for Gwen near the bar. Son of a bitch.
“Do you not like breathing? Is that what this is?” asked Gwen. Why else would Aiden try talking to her when four shifters would happily take him down for even sharing her air? Gwen didn’t fail to notice Zander signaling for the others to hang back, gesturing that he’d deal with it. “Really, Aidan, you should go.”
“I saw the bite,” Aidan clipped.
Yeah, it had gotten a lot of people’s attention. The other waitresses fairly swooned at the sight of it. Chase had glowered like she’d petitioned to cancel Christmas. And now Aidan was staring at it, face scrunched up in revulsion. But she sensed that the revulsion wasn’t born of any antipathy toward shifters. No, the glitter of bitterness in his eyes told her he just didn’t like what the mark represented—essentially, that she was no longer single.
“Are you mated to him now?”
“Aidan, do you honestly think it’s a good idea to confront me like this while Zander can see? I’d say use your brain, but, well, that’s a little like telling Colt to find his balls—utterly pointless.”
“Unless he’s taken you as his mate, you’re nothing to him but a body he doesn’t want to share. Like a kid with a new toy. Is that what you want? To be his toy?”
She smiled wickedly. “Oh yeah.” It was certainly fun.
Aidan’s lips thinned. “This isn’t a joke, Gwen. You think I’m wrong? That he’ll stay with you? Are you really that naive?”
She snorted softly. “Apparently not as naive as your parents since they didn’t use a condom. Aidan, seriously, just back the fuck off and go back to your date—this isn’t fair to her.” But he didn’t, and it was too late anyway because two arms curled around her from behind and held her gently but possessively.
Zander nuzzled her. “How’s my baby doing?”
“Fine,” she assured him, knowing he was pissed despite how carefully he handled her.
Releasing her, Zander then edged around her—placing himself in front of her like a barrier, forcing Aidan to back up. “Didn’t I warn you to stay away from Gwen?”
Aidan spluttered. “You can’t stop me from talking to someone.”
“Really? Let’s take a walk.”
“Yeah, a walk sounds good.”
Gwen almost jumped at Bracken’s voice. She hadn’t even realized he was behind her until he spoke. He followed Zander, who fisted Aidan’s collar and dragged him out the door.
She stood there, torn over whether to follow and be sure they didn’t kill Aidan. Not that his life meant anything to her, but being an asshole wasn’t a reason to die. Still, if she did anything to defend Aidan, he’d see it as a green light to keep badgering her. Maybe she should just let him learn his lesson the hard way.
Decision made, she headed into the kitchen. Damn, it was hot, despite that they’d stopped serving food, since it was near closing time. As per usual, she helped the staff clean up and carried the garbage bags outside into the side alley. She tossed the first bag in the dumpster, then the next, and was just about to toss the third, when she heard the slight scuff of a shoe.
Whirling, she dropped the garbage bag . . . and then sagged in relief as she saw it was Zander. She frowned, opening her mouth to ask why he’d gone down the alley instead of just reentering the building through the front door. But then he smiled, and Gwen tensed. Zander didn’t smile. Not like that. His mouth curved and quirked, but never spread into a huge toothy smile. He also didn’t wax his eyebrows or slick back his hair. And then she noticed his clothing was now different. Which could mean only one thing.
She was about to say, “You must be Rory.” But the guy that Zander had described would love to know that Zander talked about him. So, instead, she frowned. “For a minute there, I thought you were someone I know. I’m guessing you’re related to Zander Devlin.”
His smile faltered. “I’m his brother Rory.”
“Damn, I can’t believe he never mentioned he had an identical twin. Does he know you’re here?”
“No, I was hoping to surprise him.”
Yeah, she was just betting he was. She wondered if he’d been hanging outside the front of the building but scampered down the alley when Zander hauled Aidan outside. If so, it was most likely pure chance that he’d managed to confront her here.
“Well, I’m sure he’ll be thrilled to see you.” Her pulse jumped as Rory began to advance on her. Keeping her eyes on him, she leaned down to grab the bag, discreetly slipping her other hand into the pocket of her shorts to feel for her switchblade.
“You’re not my brother’s usual type. Far from it. But I can see why he’s trying a new flavor.”
Flavor? What was she, ice cream? She smiled, as if flattered. “Aw, thank you. You should go on inside and talk to him. I’m sure he’d love to see you.”