“Is Emmett still there?” The only thing keeping me remotely calm was finding out that Jess’ boyfriend was with her.
“Yes. They’re going to be okay.”
“I hope so. I feel awful.”
“Don’t.”
“You make it sound so easy. My best friend’s been kidnapped because of me.”
“We’ll get her back, Al. I promise.”
I tried to smile, but it wasn’t easy. I knew she wasn’t being hurt, but she was still being denied freedom. I also had no idea what would happen when Toby found out I wasn’t going to him. What if he took it out on her?
“Ready to turn around, or do you want to keep going?” He gestured further down the street.
“Let’s head back. Hailey wore me out.”
He laughed. “Sounds good. Since you’re so tired, you’ll need my help in the shower.”
“Your willingness to help astounds me sometimes.”
He grinned. “It’s so good to have you home.”
“You do realize I’m moving back into my dorm when it opens, right?”
“We’ll see.” There was a twinkle in his eye that let me know he wasn’t buying it.
I let it go. I was sure we’d have plenty of time to argue about it later.
Chapter Two
“Maybe you’re right. We should stay home.” Levi’s eyes devoured me when I walked out into the living room.
“No way. I just went through all this effort to get ready. We’re going.” I gestured to my hair and makeup.
Hailey told me that everyone in the New Orleans shifter community would be at this party, and that tons of shifters from around the city would come in for it. I didn’t know how I’d use the night to find out more information, but I was determined to try.
“We can just go a little late.” He took a step toward me. I couldn’t really blame his reaction. I was wearing a short dress in his favorite color—red. I’d left my hair wavy, which took just as much work as straightening it did, and I put on slightly more makeup than usual. A pair of three inch stilettos finished off the outfit. Levi might tell me he loved my eyes, but my legs were his weakness. A short dress and high heels would have him eating out of my hand. I wasn’t being mean. I’d be coming home with him at the end of the night.
“Looking good, Allie.” Jared whistled when he walked out of his room. Like Levi, Jared was dressed in a tailored black suit. If I had to guess, they were both Armani.
Levi glared at him. “Watch it, Jared.”
I laughed. “You aren’t actually threatened by Jared, are you?”
“No. I just don’t appreciate my best friend checking out my mate.”
“Then tell her not to wear something so sexy.” Jared snagged his keys off the counter. He loved pushing Levi’s buttons.
“Okay, let’s get this over with. I have no interest in sleeping with Jared. Okay?” I put a hand on Levi’s arm. His eyes looked dangerously close to turning. He seriously needed to calm down with his insane jealousy.
Levi put a hand under my chin to make me look up at him. “I know. This has nothing to do with a lack of trust. I just don’t like anyone looking at you that way.”
“I can change…”
He moved his hand to my cheek. “No. That won’t be necessary.”
“Good.” I slipped on a black wool peacoat. New Orleans had warm winters, but it was still cold in late December. “So Hailey says this party is at the Eiffel Society. That’s the crazy looking place on St. Charles, right?”
“Crazy looking? You mean cool? The building was actually part of the original Eiffel Tower.”
“As in the one in Paris?”
“What other one would I be talking about? My family had it brought over in the 1980s. We aren’t the ones on record for the deal, but you know how it is.”
“How it is?” I suppressed a smile. Sometimes Levi forgot I didn’t grow up in the same world he did.
“Yeah. My grandparents are pretty connected to our French roots.” He rarely talked about his grandparents. The only other family outside of his parents I’d met was a quasi-crazy cousin who burned down a frat house to either kill or threaten me. I never did find out which.
“So other than the building, what can I expect?”
“Craziness. Expect craziness.” Owen joined us. He was dressed in a black suit as well. It was the first time I saw any resemblance to Hailey in him. Maybe it was the way his light skin looked against the black. Hailey had really pale skin too.
“I’m here. The fun can start.” Hailey walked in, tossing her coat on the back of the couch. She was dressed in a short, purple halter dress. Her hair fell in tendrils around her face, and she looked incredible.
“Did Dad see you leave the house in that?” Owen eyed his sister skeptically. Since the dorms were still closed, she was back at home. She was planning to spend the night on the guys’ couch.
“I was wearing my coat.”
“Please don’t do anything stupid tonight.” Owen scowled. “I don’t want to have to beat up some idiot for you.”
“I am more than capable of taking care of myself, but it won’t be an issue. Who’s going to bother me? The only one I plan to dance with is Allie. That is, if Levi gives me the chance.”
Levi had his arms wrapped around me. “I’m not making any promises. I don’t plan to let her out of my sight dressed this way.”
Hailey laughed. “Like you would let her out of your sight tonight even if she were wearing oversized sweats.”
“Very true. Like Owen said, it’s going to be crazy.” Levi leaned in to me. “You are going to be one of the only humans there. Do not go anywhere without one of us. Scratch that, anywhere without me.”
“You’re not coming to the bathroom with me.”
“Okay, that you can do with Hailey. But no other exceptions.” There was nothing humorous in his voice.
“If it’s dangerous, why are we going?”
“It’s not dangerous if you stay with me.” He pulled me back against him. “Promise me you’ll stay with me.”
“I promise. Do you think I want to get myself hurt?” I figured I could do my investigating with Levi at my side.
“Good. Ready to go?”
“Sure.” I picked up my purse from the couch. “Are we driving or flying?”
“What would you prefer?” he whispered in my ear.