He crossed his arms and leaned back next to me. “Have you been worrying about what happened last night?”
I gave an incredulous laugh and glared at him. “I haven’t had time to think of anything but side orders and drink orders and making change all day! Not Dragan, not Casey, not my aunt. I swear to God, if a couple of those Arrowhead Disciples had come in this afternoon, I would have gotten them two waters and a menu, and run for a basket of bread.”
A slow, self-satisfied smile crept across his face. “Good. Then you’re the barback for happy hour, so you’d better wrap up your break.”
Shock hit me like a two-by-four to the face. Was that the point? “You conniving bastard! Is this all just to keep me distracted?”
He smiled and held out a wad of cash. “Is it working?”
Refusing to acknowledge him with an answer, I slowly reached out and took the money. “What’s this?”
“Tips from the other night.”
I licked my lips. “I thought you were keeping my tips to pay for the car…”
“I’m garnishing your wages to pay for repairs. Hopefully, the tips are enough to keep you afloat.”
It was more money than I’d made in a month at the Taphouse. If I could pick up more shifts, I could afford my own place. My own car repairs.
“But...but Dragan is out there,” I stammered. “I don’t have time—”
“The rally is tomorrow night. I have people getting everything ready. You’ll be there.”
“But—”
He put his hand on my shoulder, and tingles raced over my skin. “Savy, breathe.”
I met his eyes and could feel the deep concern churning within him. “Look, my sister was supposed to be alpha,” he murmured. “Not me. My father didn’t train me for it, didn’t do anything but drop it in my lap. The hardest lesson I learned is that you don’t have to do it all yourself. It took me years, but that’s why I have Regina and Sam and Tony and once, Billy.”
I shook my head. “Dragan is after me. I need—”
“To let me and Sam handle getting ready. Meanwhile, you need to learn that you’re part of a pack. That means no matter what, you’re never on your own. You don’t have to do everything yourself.”
A part of me wanted to believe it, but I couldn’t.
He headed for the door. “Also, that reminds me. Tonight, we have the Lakeshore run. Hundreds of werewolves will be there. You’re coming.”
Yes! Wolfie shouted in my mind.
“Are you trying to kill me? No way. Tonight, if I’m not hunting Dragan, I’m going to rent myself a hotel room and take a long bath with Epsom salts. I owe it to my paws and back.”
Jaxson paused in the doorway and tossed me my keys. “It’s part of being a wolf. Plus, I already told the pack you were coming, so you can’t back out now.”
We’re going,my wolf said as I caught the keys.
I frowned. “I thought you were holding my keys hostage.”
“I’m an asshole but not heartless,” he said. “I know how much that car means to you.”
My anger at the cocky man subsided a fraction, but I still didn’t want to join the pack tonight. “Maybe I’ll go on the next run.”
He grinned. “Sorry. Alpha’s orders. Anyway, you once told me you were the state champ for the four-hundred-meter in high school. I’d hate to think such a fierce competitor would shy away from testing her mettle against a pack of wolves.”
With that, he slipped out the door.
“Jackass,” I grumbled.
You like it when he bosses you around,Wolfie noted.
Shut up, Wolf.