Out of everything he spouted about, that was what caught my attention. I didn’t care if Piper left him; that was none of my business.
"He did it!"
"What? Who did what?"
"It was—"
I heard background noises, so sharp I had to move the phone off my ear with a wince.
"Hello?"
It got louder and louder, and I only grew impatient.
"Have you been drinking? Is that what this is about?"
And he had the audacity to call me. He was probably saying all this to get my attention.
I ended the call and blocked the number, walking back to Tori.
"You okay?" she asked, noticing my foul mood.
"You-Know-Who called me." I sat on the stool.
"What did the bastard want?"
"He... He just kept talking and talking. I think he’s drunk. He was really out of it. Was there any news about Noel Voss being mutilated?"
She grimaced. "Multitated? No. Where the heck did you hear that from?"
Tori followed every gossip blog on the internet; it was a hobby of hers, so it made sense that she told the truth.
Why would Dan lie about something like that?
"He probably lied about Piper leaving him, too. She’s pregnant and claims her family won’t let him see her. He’s unbelieveable."
Tori’s expression softened, and she took my hand. "Oh, Cat."
"It’s alright, I heard it from her when I bumped into her at the mall. She was really proud of it and showed her ring like a bitch."
"Fuck!"
"I was hurt, but now, not so much. They can burn in hell."
Tori smiled. "That’s the spirit!"
Reed came closer. "Mrs. King, it’s already past time. We should get going."
"Actually... I’m gonna stay."
I’d rather stay here than endure Ares King’s presence again. I deserve to breathe!
"That’s—"
"You’re my bodyguard, aren’t you?"
"Yes?"
"Which means I’m kinda like your boss."
"Well..."
"I’m staying." I faced Tori. "Spending as much time with my best friend."
"I love you, girl, but it sounds like you are supposed to be somewhere important."
"Pfft! No. Reed, you can have a drink."
"I don’t think that’s a good idea."
"So what kind of person are you? All sturdy, so I think something stronger?" Tori questioned.
"Mrs. King." He pressed.
"Relax, Reed, it’s not like the devil’s gonna bite your head off. Come on, just one drink for me, pleaseeeeee?"
He surrendered and sat down.
"See what I have been through? Cat can be very persuasive," Tori remarked. "Can’t resist those puppy eyes."
"Blame years of working as a secretary, but I think it’s my charm," I said proudly.
Tori served him a bourbon and Coke before giving me another scotch.
"So... Reed, Reed, Reed..." I drawled. "Before working with the infamous devil CEO of Midnight. What was freedom like?"
"I served in the army."
"Thank you for your service!" I raised my glass, and he hesitated before he bumped it with mine.
"Cat once had a thing for soldiers, remember that, Professor?" Tori teased. "The one with the scar?"
I blushed.
"See! She had a huge crush on him and spent a lot of time fantasizing about—"
I punched her arm.
"Ouch!"
"Victoria!" A sharp voice came through from the back.
"Shit! Give me a few." She hurried to answer.
"Don’t mind her," I mumbled to Reed.
"So what happened to this... Professor?"
"Reed!"
He laughed, not until his phone rang and he took it out of his pocket. His smile faded.
"Something wrong?"
"It’s—"
I snatched the phone from him before he could say anything else.
"Hi, honey!" I pitched sweetly.
There was a pause before Ares spoke. "Your phone’s switched off."
"Shit! Is it?" I checked and it was. I must have subconsciously switched it off after Dan called.
"Where are you?" he asked, calmly.
"Um... a club? Can we take a raincheck on our date? I don’t think I can make it."
Silence followed, and I checked if the call had ended, but it was still on line.
"Hello?"
"Five minutes, and if Reed doesn’t bring you to me, I’ll come to you."
I shivered at the dark tone of promise. I should be anxious, but I was more euphoric.
"How cocky, Mr. King. You don’t even know which club I’m at. It’s not like you can comb every inch of the city for me."
For some reason, I could feel he just smiled. "Five minutes."
The call ended, and I frowned, turning back to Reed, who looked uneasy. Seeing such a bulky man squirm over this was unlikely.
"Don’t worry, you won’t get in trouble, I promise."
He gulped. "You only had three shots."
"Did I?"
"Cat has a low tolerance for alcohol, always down the rabbit hole after a taste," Tori said, wiping her hands.
I hiccup. "I’m not drunk, everything’s just more... relaxed."
"Take her home, please," Tori uttered. "I don’t know you, but I have a feeling you do your job right."
"I do," Reed said without question.
"Good, I have a sense with people, and you, my friend, are a good guy." She gave him a drink. "On the house."
I wrapped myself around Reed’s arm.
"Let’s stay longer, I promise no more shots." I pouted.
"Watch out, she’s always clingy too," said Tori.
"Don’t listen to her," I whispered to him. "I’m only clingy to people I like."
Reed cleared his throat, looking a bit uncomfortable, but he didn’t pull away.
"I’m gonna make orange juice, watch her."
"Please do."
"Yay! Orange juice."
Reed tried to steady me when I almost fell off my stool.
"Ooopie! Don’t worry, I won’t fall, I’m holding strong biceps." I poked his cheek. "Is that a blush?"
He turned away, grabbing his drink.
"Are you a virgin?"
He coughed loudly.
I giggled. "Are you?"
"That’s...um..."
I narrowed my eyes. "Huh... Who’d have thought? Have you kissed a girl before? You must have, all this package shouldn’t be for waste."
"Mrs. King," he began.
"Wanna kiss?"