Page 30 of Don't Bait Me (Nora Jacobs 3)

He stands there, silently studying me, and there’s something about his intense stare that has me squirming in my shoes. He eyes me up and down, then flicks his assessing gaze over all of my friends.

“It’s good to meet you,” I say, not offering my hand but nodding my head slightly as he had done.

“The pleasure is mine,” he murmurs. He sweeps his hand out toward a small, roped off section of the room. “Please, I’ve secured a table for us in the VIP lounge so that we may speak more privately.”

“Of course.”

I allow him to lead me across the room. Parker, Terrance, Wulf, and Rook all follow closely behind me until we reach the entrance to the VIP section and Illren stops us. He sizes the four of them up, and the corners of his mouth twitch, fighting a smile. “You have quite the entourage, Miss Jacobs.”

I shrug, unsure how to answer this.

Parker speaks up, using a voice as quiet and controlled as Illren’s. “We will not leave her alone with you. Your reputation precedes you, Kovros.”

Illren nods once. “As it should. However, Miss Jacobs is in no danger from me.”

“Maybe not,” Parker agrees, shifting into a stance that matches Terrance’s—defiant with his arms folded and feet shoulder-width apart. “But we will not leave her all the same.”

Something dangerous flashes in Illren’s eyes, making my heart skip a beat. “Parker is helping me on this case,” I say quickly, trying to diffuse the situation before a fight breaks out. I have a feeling that would turn deadly fast.

Illren slowly shifts his gaze to me. “You don’t strike me as the type of woman who needs to hide behind a man.” His eyes flick to the group behind me again. “Or four. You soughtmeout, Miss Jacobs. I have given you no reason to distrust me. Do me the courtesy of calling off your guards. I find their suspicion insulting.”

I sigh internally. I suppose itisrather rude to ask someone for help and then show up with four hulking bodyguards. “Fine. Guys, can you give us a little space?” I hold up a hand before any of my guys can argue. “I’m not getting any kind of danger vibes from him. My spidey senses aren’t tingling. He means me no harm.”

“Yet.” Terrance growls.

I roll my eyes, gaining some of my confidence back. I trust my sixth sense enough to keep me safe. “If he changes his mind, I’ll know, and you can all jump in then. For now, if he wants to speak to me alone, just let him.”

None of them are happy, but they stop arguing. “We’re not going far,” Terrance warns, glaring at Illren. “We’re not letting her out of our sight.”

I grin at the threat. “I wouldn’t expect anything less, T-man.” I turn my attention to Illren. “Right, then. Let’s find a seat and talk, shall we?”

I dare him with my eyes to argue. He hesitates like he wants to do exactly that, but then his mouth quirks up into a smirk, and he holds his hand out toward an empty booth in the back corner of the VIP lounge.

My guys move to various spots in the room to stand guard, all within sight of me. The wolves and Parker can probably even hear us from where they’re standing. I feel like the president surrounded by secret service. When we reach the table, I cock a brow at Illren and cast my eyes around the room, acknowledging each of my guys. “Good enough?” I ask.

Illren follows my gaze, then dips his head in another nod. “A fair compromise.”

The booth is a small semi circle built for two, maybe three people tops. Illren smirks when I eye the cozy space with trepidation. “Have a seat, Miss Jacobs.”

I get the feeling I shouldn’t show this man how much he intimidates me, so I slip into the booth and say nothing when he slides in on the other side and scoots around the back, sitting a little too close for comfort.

A snarl sounds across the room, and Illren narrows his eyes on Rook. “I don’t think your wolf friend likes me very much.”

I smirk. “I’m sure he doesn’t. His wolf has claimed me as a mate. He doesn’t like any man getting too close to me. Especially not one he perceives as a threat.”

“The wolf is your mate?” Illren’s eyebrows lift in surprise. “The rumors would have me believe it’s the vampire you’re partial to.”

My face heats up. He takes note of my blush with a smirk and waits for me to confirm or deny the rumors. Luckily, the cocktail waitress interrupts us. “Hey, Nora!” she greets with a friendly smile for both of us. “It’s good to see you on this side of the bar. Enjoying your night off?”

I wouldn’t call it a night off, but it’s easier not to argue. “Sure.”

Her face brightens. “What can I get you guys to drink?”

“The usual for me,” I say, then look to Illren.

“Angelfire on the rocks,” he says in that quiet, scary voice of his.

She blinks, as if on some subconscious level she recognizes the danger he represents. She nods and scurries away.

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