“Why are you guys whispering?”

Heat shot into Eddie’s cheeks as he heard Thomas’s voice behind him. He took a steadying breath and turned slowly, trying to keep his face an unreadable mask.

“Cain was just saying there’s supposed to be a staff meeting tonight,” Eddie repeated Cain’s words.

Thomas shrugged. “Hadn’t heard anything. Must be a last minute thing.”

Cain pointed toward the crowd around Haven and Yvette. “I should go say hello.” But Cain didn’t get a chance, because at the same moment, Samson asked for quiet in the room.

“Thank you! And thanks all for coming tonight,” Samson started. “I’m very pleased to welcome our newest member into Scanguards.”

Next to him, Haven stood smiling, his arm around Yvette who looked up at him with pride shining in her eyes. He bent to her ear, and whispered something to her which made her eyes go wide. Eddie could only guess that it had been something very private, and something very erotic.

Thomas tapped his arm, sending a shiver through his body, then leaned closer to whisper to him. “Never thought I’d see Yvette like that.”

Eddie forced himself to remain calm. “Like what?”

“All feminine and soft. You haven’t known her as long as I, but she was one tough cookie.”

“She seems happy. Haven’s a great guy.”

Samson continued, “Haven has been helping us in many difficult situations. And I’m therefore very happy to announce that he’s finally accepted my offer to join Scanguards. Haven, would you like to say a few words?”

Haven nodded quickly. “Yeah, well, I’m not a man of many words. Just to say: I’m looking forward to this new challenge. Now let’s party!” He waved to one corner of the lounge, where a band had set up.

Music filled the room. Eddie watched how Haven pulled Yvette to the area in front of the band, where some of the furniture had been removed to make space for a small dance floor. As Haven and Yvette started dancing and were soon joined by Zane and his hybrid wife Portia, Eddie turned away from the sight. His sister Nina wasn’t here, nor was Delilah. Humans weren’t allowed at the lounge. It was a strict rule that not even Samson broke.

However, the room wasn’t completely devoid of women. Apart from Yvette and Portia, Maya and Rose, both vampires, were also present. They were mingling with the male vampires, but their mates were never far—both Gabriel and Quinn kept their eyes on the other Scanguards employees, ready to interfere if another male dared touch their wives inappropriately.

Next to Eddie, Cain and Thomas both chuckled. Eddie turned his head to see what they were finding so funny.

“Don’t they look like dogs with a bone?” Thomas asked, motioning to Gabriel and Quinn.

Eddie rolled his eyes and cracked a smile. “Pathetic!”

“Let’s drink to that!” Thomas agreed and turned back toward the bar. “Three of the . . . ” He turned with a questioning look. “What are you guys having?”

“O neg,” Eddie said.

“Same,” was Cain’s reply.

“And yourself?” Roxanne asked.

“Make that three O negs.”

“You guys are easy.”

Cain made a grimace. “Did she just insult us?”

One side of Thomas’s mouth tilted upwards. “Sounded like it.”

“What are we gonna do about it?” Eddie asked, grinning, glad that both Cain and Thomas were concentrating their attention on the bartender. It took the heat off him, and he could finally begin to relax.

“I think punishment is in order,” Cain suggested.

Roxanne tossed them a get real look and continued filling the glasses with blood.

“I don’t think she believes you,” Eddie teased.

Thomas laughed. “That’s probably because she knows we’d never punish her.” He winked at her. “After all, she sits at the source.” He motioned to the taps. “And you never bite the hand that feeds you. Literally and figuratively.”

Roxanne finished pouring the three glasses. Then she took one and held it over the sink, tilting it a bit. “So, you want your drinks, or not?”

Eddie, Thomas, and Cain exchanged quick glances.

“That would be lovely, Roxanne,” Thomas said, his voice softer than before.

Roxanne’s look softened and Eddie could clearly see how Thomas’s voice appeased her and made her melt. The reason he knew that was because he too could feel it: how Thomas’s deep voice penetrated his body and sank deep into him. It made him want to lay back on one of the large sofas, stretch out, and settle in for a soothing massage. Strong male hands on naked skin.