A Werewolf, A Vampire, and A Fae Walk Into A Bar (Book 1 of The Last Witch Series) novel Chapter 9

“Bernie?” The banging on the door becomes more aggressive and Rain hiccups and begins to cry. “I’m coming in one way or another, hon. Answer me, please?”

“What’s it gonna be?” I ask the trio before me as I gently rock Rain, patting her back to soothe her.

This only seems to make her cry more loudly, and her screams echo through my small apartment.

“Bernadette!” Now the chief sounds panicked.

“He’s using my full name. That’s not a good sign,” I say.

Darius steps aside. “Go. But watch what you say. We are not the ones who would be at risk were you to speak out of turn.”

I narrow my eyes at the implied threat, but I hold my tongue when I see the unbridled violence simmering in his pitch black eyes. Turning away from his glare, I weave through the three guys towards my front door. When I yank it open, the chief--who was mid-knock--pulls his hand back, startled.

“My God, Bernie, you gave me a real scare.” His gaze drops to the screaming bundle in my arms and his eyes widen. “So it’s true. You had your baby.”

“I certainly didn’t steal this one from someone else,” I joke.

He chuckles and runs a hand through his slightly balding hair. “You had us all worried,” he says as he cranes his neck to scope out my apartment. “Who helped you?”

I glance back at the men crowding the entrance to my bedroom, wondering how much I should say. Could Chief Roland help me get rid of these guys? From what I’ve seen, I’m not sure, but it doesn’t mean I’m not gonna try. “Why don’t you come in and meet my knights in shining armor,” I say with a saccharine smile.

The chief blinks, likely unused to me acting this way when I’m not on bar duty. “Uh, sure. Yeah, I’d like that.”

He’s dressed in street clothes, but he shifts his coat just enough to reveal the gun holstered at his hip. I nod in approval and lead him into my apartment, which--to be honest, has seen better days. The hardwood floor is pretty timeless--if scuffed in places, but the couch is threadbare and sagging; the recliner is a relic from a different epoch, and not in a cool antique kind of way; the kitchen is littered with dated dishes and appliances that scream 60s yard sale rejects; and the wallpaper is peeling. And this wallpaper...yeah, not the trend. Still, it’s been home since my mom died and my grandparents took me in.

The chief looks a little misty-eyed as he studies the place. “I haven’t been in here since....”

“Since my grandfather died,” I say. “Well, you’re always welcome. Grandpa would love to know his old friends were still coming by.”

Rain has finally settled down and, though she doesn’t fall back asleep, is enjoying snuggling against my chest. “Would you like to hold her?” I ask, though I’m reluctant to let go of my baby.

The chief’s eyes widen. “Yes. I would.”

He has four of his own kids and a handful of grandbabies, so he knows how to support her head, but as he takes her, the three men hiding out near my bedroom appear, their predatory instincts on high alert.

“Who might you be?” The chief asks, one hand dropping back to his gun as he clutches my child carefully with his other.

“These are the fine gentlemen who came to my rescue,” I say, introducing them. “Zev here is a doctor of sorts, and he delivered little Rain with the help of his friends. They stayed to make sure I was okay. But your timing is perfect. They were looking for a place to stay in town. Maybe you could take them to Nancy’s Bed and Breakfast and convince her to give them a room until the roads are clear enough for them to continue on their way?”

The chief frowns. “I’m sure Nancy could find you boys something.”

Darius glares at me. “We are not in need of accommodations at this time.”

“You’re going to need somewhere to stay until the power comes back and the roads are safe for driving,” I say sweetly.