“Well, look what the cat dragged in,” she said, smirking.
“Shouldn’t I be saying that about you?”
J.D. grimaced. He knew she hated talking about her animal. As far as he knew, only he and Gabriel knew the true nature of her shifter side. “Where’ve you been?”
“Out. We’re shorthanded today, so I went patrolling. Is there a reason you’re here?”
She frowned. “You forgot, didn’t you?”
“Forgot what?”
“What day it is?”
“What day?” His tried to recall the date, but since last week, the days seemed to meld together. Then he remembered. “Jesus.” He blew out a breath. “J.D. I’m sorry. I truly am. I forgot … about today.” He’d been so busy and distracted, he forgot today was her father’s birthday. The old man had been gone over ten years now, but to J.D., it was a sacred day. Jimmy McNamara had loved birthdays, after all and he never forgot anyone’s, plus he always had a party on his day. “Every year you’re still alive is a reason to celebrate,” he had always said.
“Are you ready to go then?” J.D. asked.
Every year, except for when he was deployed, they would go down to The Den and have drinks until J.D. would get so drunk, she’d pass out. It was a kind of tradition, a way they remember the old man. It was really the only night he would endure being in a crowded place like The Den. The last few years it hadn’t been so bad because it was always a weekday. It was just his luck that this time around it fell on a Friday.
“I’m sorry, J.D. I can’t.” There was no way he was going to be able to control The Demon, not tonight. “I’ll make it up to you, I swear.”
“You can’t?” she hissed. “You haven’t even stepped foot into The Den. You can’t back out, Damon.” Her voice trembled. “Not now. Not tonight.”
J.D. never cried except when it was about her old man. He had raised her alone since her mom died, and they had been close as could be. “J.D.—”
“Please. I need you there.”
He growled inwardly. Just for tonight, he told his animal, behave. Maybe this year, J.D.’d get drunk faster, then he could go home. “Let me get ready, okay?”
Ten minutes later, after showering and getting dressed, he was driving down the mountain road, following J.D. in his truck. When they pulled up into The Den’s parking lot, it was nearly full which meant the inside would be packed.
Cutting off the engine, he took a deep breath. He realized he didn’t even ask about Gabriel. The lion shifter would be there of course; Gabriel would never forget such an occasion. Hopefully they could put their anger aside for tonight, for J.D.
He hopped out of his truck and headed toward the entrance. J.D. was already there, waiting for him.
“I do appreciate you coming. Despite, you know.” She nodded at the door.
He could already hear the noise coming from the inside. “I might have to make an early exit, but why don’t I buy you two bottles tonight, and you can drink yourself silly faster?”
She laughed. “Deal.”
He held the door open, and then followed her in. The moment he stepped inside, the noise, the heat, and the crowd made his chest tighten. The Demon roared to life, clawing at him. Calm down. He wasn’t sure if he was talking to himself or his animal.
“We got a place reserved, don’t worry,” J.D. assured him and nodded to where the billiard room was located. There was a signboard in front of it that said, “Reserved for a Private Event.”
“Wow,” he said. “I didn’t think Tim ever closed off a portion of The Den.”
“Yeah well, you know him and Dad. They were tight.” She waved to Tim as they walked by the bar, who acknowledged them with a nod.
It seemed like an eternity before he reached the billiard room, but finally he stepped inside. In here, he breathed easier, and his anxiety levels lowered. He recognized a few of the old-timers from J.D.’s garage, the ones who had worked with the old man. And of course, Gabriel was there, in the corner, holding a drink. They exchanged glances, a silent message passed between them to put their unfinished business aside for now for their friend’s sake.
“Here you go,” Gabriel handed him and J.D. a glass of bourbon each, which had been her father’s drink of choice.
“Thanks,” he replied, trying to keep his voice neutral as he didn’t want J.D. to notice things between him and Gabriel were strained.
“To the old man,” Gabriel said, raising his glass.
They followed suit, and J.D. downed hers in one go, then handed her keys to Gabriel. “You still driving me home?”
“Can we have a pajama party after?” he asked cheekily, which earned him a playful slap on the shoulder. The lion shifter wasn’t being serious of course; they’d been friends for so long that it would be weird to be anything more than that.
“Thanks,” he said as Gabriel refilled his glass.
“Let’s get everyone to toast to him.” Gabriel went around, gathering people so he could pour them some liquor.
“You okay?” Damon asked J.D.
“Yeah.” J.D.’s personality was like a hurricane—she bulldozed anything in her path, which was why most people found her abrasive and loud. However, this was one of the few times she was subdued. “This day is always, you know. Tough. I—oh, she’s here!”
Every nerve ending in Damon’s body lit up, as if he already knew who was here. He turned to the entrance, and sure enough, it was Anna Victoria. Though she was wearing the same blouse and pants as earlier, she had her hair down around her shoulders, and her lips were red and glossy. She was smiling as she entered, but when their gazes locked, her smile evaporated.
“What is she doing here?” he asked, fingers curling
