He had a quick chat with Aero, then appearing to be satisfied with the conversation, left me with him and the women. I let out a sigh of relief as I sat up at the breakfast bar next to Violet.
“There’s one chain gone,” she whispered.
I chuckled. “Right?”
Rowan set a cup of hot water and tea bags in front of me before handing me a menu.
“Thanks, honey,” I said.
She grinned. “No problem.”
“Where’s Scooby?” I asked.
“In the back.” She nodded to my right. “The stove’s threatening to go out again, so Scooby’s bringing it to heel.”
“All fixed,” he said, pushing through the saloon doors, almost as though he heard us. He walked over to Rowan and kissed her cheek with a grin. “That little bitch didn’t best me today.”
“The bitches never do,” Violet retorted.
“Um, I beg to differ.” Rowan raised her hand. “This one did.”
Scooby wrapped his arms around her with a laugh. “Damn straight.”
She raised her head for a kiss, then went about taking everyone’s order.
“Don’t you have wild animals to study?” Scooby asked Violet, walking out from behind the breakfast counter and giving her a bear hug.
“But you’rehere,” she said. “Where better to study filthy beasts than in their natural habitat?”
Scooby bellowed with fake laughter.
“You picked the wrong person to spar with, buddy,” I said with a grin before sipping my tea. Violet worked for the research and development department arm of the Denver Zoo based in Colorado Springs, so she had a unique insight into all kinds of animals and their behaviors
Scooby couldn’t stop a genuine smile as he kissed the top of her head and made his way to where Aero was sitting with Gizzard, a club OG.
“Do you think Jekyll will rat me out?” I askedViolet.
“Your appointment’s with Vanna, who’s an independent contractor, right?”
“True. He may not even know I’m coming in.” Violet raised an eyebrow and I sighed. “Okay, he probably knows I’m coming. I sure hope he doesn’t rat me out.”
“He doesn’t knowwhatyou’re doing, right?”
I grinned. “He sure doesn’t.”
Violet shrugged. “So, it probably hasn’t even piqued his interest.”
“This is why I love you.”
“Because I remind you it’s okay to be sneaky?”
I nodded. “Yes. I’m really bad at it.”
“Stick with me, kid. I’m a pro.”
Rowan brought our food out just as Indigo and Jekyll walked in, followed quickly by Raquel and Orion. Raquel and Indigo sat beside me while Orion and Jekyll went to mingle with their brethren. Rowan brought them a cup of coffee and menus, then went about serving the other customers in the diner.
“How long’s Wrath going to be gone?” Indigo asked once her food arrived.