Obsidian Liquor (Lion Security #1)(22)
Author: Scarlett Dawn

“No,” I hissed, disgusted beyond belief.

Snap. Snap.

Honestly, I was not even sure how Daniil did it. One second, I felt like I wanted to puke because Samuel was still touching me. The next second, I saw a flash of Daniil’s hand right before Samuel was shouting and holding his two twisted, broken fingers.

Stash chuckled as Samuel ran away. “Next!”

I dug through my first place bag, sitting on the grass in the midst of the Lion Security’s group where I had tagged along since there were so many ‘unfriendlies’ in the crowd now that they all knew my face. I was a sweating, dirty, disgusting mess, but when I felt a small velvet box, I did not care if I was bone weary. I grinned, yanked it out, and popped the lid. The tiki fires provided enough light to illuminate a pair of heart shaped ruby earrings.

My heart deflated as I fingered my decidedly holeless earlobes. I had never gotten them pierced, and I did not plan to. I did not want any holes in my body that were not already there.

I mean, it could have been a ring or a brooch. Not everyone mutilated his or her body.

I sighed and grumpily snapped the lid shut. At least I would have grocery money for a few months if I got a decent price out of them at the pawnshop or on eBay. I tossed the box back into my bag, and started rifling through it again.

“Not what you were wanting?” Daniil’s voice drifted from above me.

I froze, and then slowly turned, looking up from my seated position. He had disappeared after we had completed the obstacle course. I thought he might be going to bed…since he was…older. Instead, he appeared even dirtier than when he had left.

He sat between Zane and I, making us scoot unless we wanted to be squashed.

I watched him warily as I resituated myself. “No. My ears aren’t pierced.” I swallowed, and turned back to my bag, being a very bad reporter and not even listening to everyone else’s conversations. Because the bag was so full, I started pulling each item out. I concentrated on each piece, firmly ignoring the man next to me. I started estimating the price I could get for each item that I did not want, keeping track on my fingers how many hundreds it was.

I was at seven hundred when Daniil asked, “What are you doing?”

I stopped and pushed the items aside that I had gone through so far, feeling a little braver as he was not moving to kill me. I tried not to smirk when I said, “I’m sitting.”

He chuckled softly. “Cute, Ms. Forter. But what are you keeping track on your fingers?”

I turned my head and stared. He was rich. He would not understand. I pointed at the items. “I’m trying to figure out how much I can get for all of these if I sell them. So far, I’m at seven hundred bucks. I like to buy nice things and live in a nice apartment, but that takes budgeting.” I turned my attention back to the items before he could react. I did not want to see him laugh at me. Hearing it would be enough as it was.

There was not a chance to hear anything like that when Zane asked loudly to their group, “Who wants play cards and drink beer?”

An uproar of shouts sounded.

I leaned forward, around Daniil, and told Zane quietly, “The resort’s alcohol shipment was lost. Evidently, that restaurant wasn’t the only place. All the businesses around here use the same distribution center, so they’re all bone dry.”

Zane stared. “Who told you that? And when?”

“The bar here at the resort, and I double checked with the front desk. I found out the same night as that guy attacked me. They said they would put up notices when they have more in. The only stuff left is non-alcoholic beers or virgin drinks.” I shook my head. “Have you ever had a non-alcoholic beer? It’s like watered-down piss.”

Zane blinked. “Oh. Well. That does suck.” He cleared his throat, standing like everyone else. “Good night, Ms. Forter.”

I waved my hand, putting my items in my bag. “Call me Elizabeth.” He was all right unless he felt like you were threatening his friends. I was not planning to threaten any of them. Daniil had scared me off that, so much so, that I still had not decided if I was going to keep investigating the Grigori/Ember possible affair. I was very much on the fence with that subject, and trying to find a way to drag the Donovan’s name through the mud without it, but I was not sure it could be done. “And good night. Happy winnings.”

Zane chuckled. “Oh, I’ll win.” He thumped Lev’s shoulder, asking him, “Does a three-of-a-kind beat a straight?”

Lev snorted. “Yes.” He removed Zane’s hand and left.

While I gawked, Zane grinned. “See.” He was still smirking like the winning fool he was going to be as he walked away.

I glanced around the golf course, realizing Daniil and I were the only ones still seated from their group. There were still other groups sitting around talking and enjoying the cooling evening, but that was not enough for me. I quickly shoved the rest of the items in the bag and jumped to my feet. Daniil easily followed, staying next to me, not moving away.

“What are you doing?” I asked, slightly mystified.

He ran his fingers through his hair, and his lips twitched. “I’m standing, Ms. Forter.” His eyes roamed down my body, and his nose crinkled.

I was confused as hell and more than a little irritated. Not a great combination. “I know I’m no great beauty, but what is it about me that repulses you so badly?”

His eyebrows snapped together, but slowly, and from the sound of it, honestly, he stated, “No. You’re wrong. You are beautiful, not the exotic type, more country beautiful. But you’re just so small.” He waved his hands in a womanly shape, but extra thin, like the hourglass was pint-size. “I’ve never been attracted to someone who’s as little as you. Most of my lovers have,” a gesture of an extra-large hourglass, and then he held his hand way up to his lips indicating a tall woman, “more to them. I can’t figure out why I find your kewpie-doll face, wild hair, and breakable body stimulating.”

I blinked. “Um…thanks?” Crazy.

I turned, and began walking away, but I heard him curse softly. My eyebrows came together in confusion as I heard the grass crunch under his feet, and then he was at my side, slashing a hand through the air, stating as we walked, “I’m sorry. That didn’t come out right. I’m usually much smoother than this.”

“That’s great to know,” I mumbled. I blinked. I stopped in my tracks; Daniil also halted, as I understood his crazy language. My eyes went wide, and I turned my attention to him. “Are you hitting on me?”