Page 73 of Don't Bait Me (Nora Jacobs 3)

Everyone laughs again. Apparently, we’re all starting to get bored. We fall into silence again. It lasts for a while, and then Nick says, “Maybe you three should split up.” I spot him at a poker table not too far away. “Maybe they’re watching somehow and are intimidated by the three of you together.”

“Do you think that’s a good idea?” Parker asks. “Nora’s the only one who will feel it when they show.”

I perk up. “No, Nicky has a point. In the vision, it wasmethey wanted dead. I’m the one they know is on the case. Weshouldsplit up.”

Terrance glares at me. “I’m not leaving you alone.”

I pat his arm and give him a soft, reassuring smile. “I’m not alone, T-man. Oliver’s right over there, and Nick and Rook are close by. Plus, I’ll feel it. The second anyone even thinks about harming me, I’ll know.”

“I’ll protect her,” Oliver promises.

Terrance glares across the room at Oliver, then clenches his jaw and nods. “Fine. I’ll go check the back of the building. See if they’re waiting in the employee parking lot.”

Before I can tell him to be careful, Illren says, “I’ll head out front, walk the perimeter, and check the nearby parking lots and buildings. They may be watching from a distance.”

I nod. Those are both great ideas. “I’ll go back to the main bar. Stay visible.”

Both men rise from their stools. Illren gives me a small nod and slips away without another word. Terrance waits for me to look at him. “No talking to strangers. They have a third man, and you don’t know what he looks like. He could be the reason we haven’t found the others. If they know we’re watching, they could have sent him in alone to scope things out.”

I place my hand on his forearm. “Remember, I’ll know if anyone means to harm me. Even if the third does find me, I’ll know it. I’m more worried about you wandering outside by yourself.”

Terrance grunts. “I’ll be fine.”

I lift onto my toes and pull him down so that I can kiss his cheek. “Just be careful, T-man.”

My kiss melts his grumpy stare. “You too, Trouble.” He glances across the room again. “You got her, Oliver?”

“Always.”

Terrance walks off, and I head to the bar. I order a Shirley Temple—which the guys all laugh at me for—and sit on a stool with my back against the bar. As I scan the casino, I realize I have a new problem. Men all over the room are staring at me. They have been all night, but none of them bothered me when Terrance and Illren were beside me. Alone, I look very approachable. Several different men start to head my way, but I’m shocked by the one who reaches me first. Henry is the last man I want to see right now. Or ever again. “What areyoudoing here?”

No one can pull off haughty arrogance like Henry. He pulls his shoulders back and looks down at me over his nose. “It’smycasino.” He grips my arm and pulls me close, lowering his voice to a menacing whisper. “How did you do it, Nora?”

“Get your hands off me.”

I tug my arm, but Henry doesn’t break his grip. “What are you?”

Yeah, like I’m going to tell him. “I’m fey.”

Henry grinds his teeth and squeezes my arm harder. He’s going to leave bruises, and when he does, all of my men will try to kill him. I won’t be able to stop them, and I’m not sure I’ll really try to. “Illren thinks I might be a summer fey,” I offer, knowing that’s not what he’s looking for.

He clearly doesn’t like me being difficult. His eyes flash red. His fangs descend, and he hisses at me despite all the onlookers. “Don’ttoywith me.”

“Careful, Nora,” Parker warns.

“Somebody go kick that vamp’s ass, or I’ll go and I’ll rip his damn throat out,” Rook snarls.

“I’m out in the employee parking lot,” Terrance hollers. “Who’s close?”

“I’m almost there,” Nick chimes.

I feel more confident knowing that I have an entire team backing me up. I tug on my arm again to no avail and glare at the master vampire. “What’s the matter, Henry? Don’t like people messing with your mind—taking control of you? If you can’t take it, you really shouldn’t dish it.”

Henry shakes me hard enough that my neck snaps back and my teeth clank against one another. I bite my tongue and grunt from the pain. “Tell me!” Henry demands.

The answer is out of my mouth before I even realize what’s happening. “I’m a siren.”

Henry’s eyes widen.

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