Chapter 22

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

HENDRIX

When you first entered the club, there was a little reception area with a lone receptionist and a bouncer in front of the door. Laz's cousin put our names on the list, and once our IDs were checked, the bouncer let us pass with a polite nod. I put my hands on Laz's shoulders, leading him down the short hallway that spit us out in the club proper. The lighting was dimmed, which I'd expected, and the place smelled like sweat and sex. A few weeks back, I would've been damn curious about a place like this. Now, though, all I could think about was Art. Would he want to come to a place like this? He said he didn't get to explore much with his ex. Maybe he had a few kinks he hadn't discovered yet. At least this place was legit enough that I probably wouldn't end up in the tabloids if I made it big one day. You couldn't even bring your phone into the place. And unless you offered up that information, your name and who you were was kept anonymous to everyone but management.

There wasn't much action in the main room, which was situated like a lounge where people could meet and see if they were compatible to go explore the other rooms. Laz's cousin was seated at the bar, and when I led Laz over to him, he smiled. That smile disappeared when Laz got close, though.

"Holy shit."

I nodded in agreement. "I know. It took a hell of a lot of work to get him here."

Laz's cousin wasn't a large man, more lean and toned. He had Laz's black hair and violet eyes, but that's where the similarities ended. Laz looked like a rocker with his leather jacket and piercings. Laz's cousin was more polished, in a nice suit and tie. He studied his cousin, worry and determination clear on his face, before turning to me and offering me his hand.

"I'm Atherton. Thanks for bringing him. If I'd known it was that bad, I would've dragged him here myself. Let me show you guys around and then we'll find somewhere for him to join in."

Laz opened his mouth to protest, he'd only wanted to watch and glean the sexual energy from the people nearby, but Atherton shot him a dark look that shut him up pretty quick.

"You can either find someone to give you what you need, or I can contact the family. Your choice."

Laz looked horrified at the thought, and my shoulders shook with suppressed laughter.

"That's some freaking leverage," I murmured, trying and failing to hide my grin. Atherton didn't look the least bit ashamed about it, and he winked at me when he noticed me trying not to laugh.

"What about you? Will you be joining in tonight?"

There was definite interest in the way he studied me, and while flattering, I wasn't the kind of guy to sneak around while I was dating. I liked to focus on my partner and give them all the attention.

"Nah. I'm taken. I'm just here for Laz."

"Well, I appreciate that. And if you change your mind, I'm around. Next time, bring your partner. We cater to all types here."

That probably wouldn't happen for a while. Art was still exploring the basics, and we had a lot to cover before I introduced kink. Still, it was fun to think about as Atherton showed us the different rooms. The one that was almost pitch black caught Laz's interest, and I shot Atherton a look when he failed to notice. He eyed his cousin and dipped his chin once, taking the lead and dragging him into the room while I waited outside. Observers stayed outside the rooms and watched through the windows. If you went inside, there was the general idea that you wanted to join. I wasn't going to watch my friend have sex, though. I was a good wingman, but not that good. Instead, I headed back to the lounge and stopped at the bar for a drink.

"Well, well, well… Trouble in paradise already?"

Of fucking course. Of all the places to run into our angry ex-lead guitar, it just had to be here. The bartender shot me a questioning look as they put my drink down in front of me, and I rolled my eyes in response. They were being kind by checking in, but I didn't need protection from Zion.

Turning around and leaning against the bar, I gave Zion a flat look. "Didn't expect to find you here, man."

He had his arms tossed around two humans, his posture cocky and smug. "Just enjoying a night out before I meet with my new bandmates. We've got a record deal with the new label, and we start working tomorrow."

I knew he wanted me to feel jealous, but I only really felt pity for him. Art warned him about that contract. He was going to be stuck with his poor decisions now. And I didn't feel an ounce of regret for letting him walk away.

"Good for you. I wish you luck and all that."

His smile faltered. He didn't like that I wasn't taking the bait and giving him the reaction he wanted. He pushed, jerking his chin at me.

"What about you? Find a label your boy toy is happy with yet? Or is he still holding you back? Is that why you're here tonight?"

I raised an eyebrow at him. "What's it to you?"

One of the girls looked at me curiously, her interest piquing the longer she studied me. "Are you in a band, too?"

"Sure am, sweetheart. Zion here left our band a few weeks back."

She seemed interested in me, and I was going to tell her I wasn't available, but Zion didn't take too kindly to her attention being off him. His grip tightened on her and he growled.

"Left for better options. Hen was too busy screwing the roadies to see a good deal when it was right in front of him. You don't want to be slumming it with a guy like him."

The woman didn't look happy about him getting all possessive. She tried to shrug him off, scowling up at him.

"Maybe I do. You don't get to–"

Zion snarled, some of the werewolf coming out to play as he glared down at her. "You're with me tonight. You wanna give him my sloppy seconds, you can find him at Club Envy on Thursdays with all the other shit bands."

"Let go," she demanded, struggling against him.

I was going to step in, but before I could, the bartender let out a shrill whistle. Two bouncers, dressed exactly like the one at the door, appeared out of nowhere, turning to face Zion when the bartender indicated to him.

"He's breaking the rules. He needs to leave."

Zion looked incredulous, immediately releasing the women. "The hell I am! We had a deal!"

The bartender shook his head. "That's not how things work here. They can withdraw consent at any time. If you can't respect that, then you need to leave."

Zion still looked pissed, but facing down two gargoyles, a pissed off bartender, and me, he knew he didn't stand a chance. He shot me a scathing look and spun on his heel, marching towards the exit with the gargoyles following behind him. The women gave the bartender grateful smiles.

"Thank you."

He dipped his chin, his dark expression lightening to a soft smile. "All good. If you ever have trouble like that again, just let me know. We take the safety of our patrons very seriously here."

They both nodded. Luckily, I didn't have to fight off any advances from them. Probably still shaken up from their interaction with Zion, they both decided to head home for the night. The bartender got a bouncer to follow them out, making sure they got to their car safely, before turning back to me.

"You good?"

I snorted. "Yeah. He's just pissed because I wouldn't let the band sign the world's worst contract. He dropped us to sign himself up. He'll regret that later."

The man nodded, leaning across the bar to shake my hand. "Finn."

"Hendrix."

He pursed his lips, raising his eyebrows slowly. "Your name is Hendrix… and you play in a band… Really?"

A grin overtook my face, and I nodded. "Yeah, my dad was big on human bands when I was born. He's a musician himself and he failed to mention to my mom where he got the name from."

He laughed, shaking his head. "Man, you really only had one career path with a name like that."

Probably true. I didn't hate it. Humans got a kick out of it, and it made it easy to remember my name. I sat with the bartender, chatting for a while, until Atherton came to join us. He looked a little disheveled, but he had a smile on his face.

"Where's Laz?"

"Where he needs to be," he replied. "He's good now. He was reluctant, but with a little encouragement, he found some people to play with. He might be a while."

"He needs it," I agreed. I didn't need to stick around and wait for him now that he was being taken care of. I handed Atherton his keys. "Thanks for helping out. I was worried he wouldn't do anything other than watch."

Atherton made a face. "What made him wait so long? It's unlike him."

I sighed heavily. "He's in love with our drummer. She's shown no interest in him and she's got an intense no fraternizing rule, but he wouldn't let go. She started seeing someone recently, and I think that was the kick in the pants he needed to finally come here."

Atherton shook his head in exasperation. "Incubi aren't meant for relationships. I've always told him this. Most of the family has." I caught the longing on the bartender's face when looking at Atherton, but he covered it up when Atherton spoke again. "Hopefully, he'll have learned his lesson. Are you heading out?"

"Yeah, I gotta keep searching for our new guitarist. Tell Laz I'll see him at home?"

Atherton waved me off. "Enjoy your night. And feel free to contact me if you want to bring your partner next time. I'll add them to the list."

Waving at him, I stopped at the reception area long enough to grab my phone before I teleported home. Hopefully, with Laz on the mend, things would only get better from here. We've had enough bad news lately. We deserved a break.