by Raven Steele
I left the others and crossed the room to him. My uncle embraced me lightly as if I was still in pain.
“I feel better.” I returned the hug with more force. “I promise.”
He let me go and shook his head. “I wish you weren’t back at this place.”
“That’s what Luke has been saying.”
He bopped my nose with his finger in a way only an uncle could get away with. “That’s because he’s the smartest shifter here. You’d do well to listen to him.”
As if he’d heard, Luke glanced away from the group he was with and winked. I rolled my eyes and turned back toward my uncle.
“Listen, Briar.” My uncle touched my arm, his voice low. “We need to talk.”
I placed my hand over his forearm. “Let’s discuss this later.”
“Discuss what later?” a deep voice said.
At the sound, a cold and painful chill worked its way up my spine. I slowly turned my head and inhaled a steady breath as Dominic stalked toward us. He wore an expensive-looking business suit with a yellow tie. His gelled hair was combed back and fingers worked at his cuffs. He stopped in front of me, lowering his hands.
My uncle stepped forward to explain. “I was trying to talk to her about what role she might serve for the pack.”
Dominic’s eyes didn’t stray from mine. “Obviously, you’ll have to start at the bottom again. When Silas was here, you had an important role. But all that is gone. You’ll do whatever shitty thing I ask you to do. And if you don’t do it well, there will be consequences.”
“You know, Dominic,” Gerald began. “I could really use another body to help me with security around here.”
Dominic chuckled. “Well then, if Briar dies while doing what I need her to do, I’ll be sure to give you her body. That pretty face of hers might make a good hood ornament.”
The entire room fell silent at the threat.
“I’m okay with starting at the bottom,” I jumped in. “Whatever you need me to do, I’m your gal.”
The corners of his mouth curled up. “Good. I was hoping you’d say that, because there is a very important man tonight who is seeking the special and attentive touch of a woman.”
Luke appeared out of nowhere, his nostrils flaring. “So you’re pimping her out now?”
“This is none of your concern,” Dominic countered. “Briar will do whatever I ask her to do, within pack rules, of course.”
“I’ll do it,” I blurted, casting Luke a stern look.
“Good.” Dominic reached out as if to touch my face but stopped just short of it. His fingers turned inward, his hand forming a fist as it fell to his side. “You will please this man. He is very important to me. But just so you know, he has some interesting fetishes. The last girl I sent him didn’t quite make it.”
“What do you mean didn’t make it?”
He leaned toward me, staring into my eyes with such cruelty it sucked the air from my lungs. “Let’s just say that when she fell asleep peacefully in his arms, she didn’t wake up.”
Chapter 7
My uncle cleared his throat. “Whom exactly are you sending her to entertain?”
“That’s between me and her, Vincent.” He pushed my uncle aside. “Come with me, Briar, so we can discuss the details.”
I followed him toward his office, even shrugging off Luke when he tried to stop me. I also ignored the looks of pity several tossed my way, but I knew something like this was bound to happen. Dominic placed high value on strict obedience, so I would be a good little errand girl and do what he asked. For now.
Crap. I was turning into Luke.
“Have a seat.” He closed the door to his office, then circled around his desk and sat down. I dropped into a hard chair opposite him, feeling like I was about to be interviewed. I guess in a way, I was.
“Tonight, at midnight, you are to go downtown to the Balario Hotel where you will meet my special friend in the penthouse suite.”
“What’s his name?”
“Angel. I believe you’ve met him.”
I searched my memories quickly, but couldn’t put a name to the face. “I don’t think so.”
“He’s part of the Sangre Nocturnas. He is second in command to Mateo.”
Oh yeah. The Nocs. Or as I liked to think of them, the Mexivamps. Their tan skin was unusual for vampires, but I kind of dug it.
I searched through my memories of that night we’d met them, honing in on the one who would’ve been second in command. I remembered a tall, thin, yet muscular, vampire with green eyes and full lips, but I hoped it wasn’t him. This particular vampire couldn’t take his eyes off me. Not in a I-want-your-body way, but more of a what-the-hell-are-you look.
“I think I remember him, but I still don’t understand why he wants to meet with a shifter.”
He slammed his fist down on his desk, rage flashing in his eyes. “Because I’m ordering you to!”
I held my hands up in a placating gesture. “I didn’t mean it like that. I just mean, what’s my purpose? I’m assuming you’re not just sending me there to play nice.”
His face softened slightly. “We need to repair relations with the coven.”
I barked out a laugh. “And you think I’m the right person to do that?”
A shadow darkened his face. I quickly relaxed my posture, lowering my head too. I was coming off too aggressive. A common problem for me.
“Since the Greybacks stole our first order of Scorpion's Breath, we need to try and get another. Sales from the drug will give the pack more wealth than we have ever seen. It will also give us the ability to expand our reach.”
“What will Angel expect of me?”
A smile played at the corners of his mouth. He intertwined his fingers, leaving his pointer fingers to form a steeple at his chin. “He has a special taste for shifter blood.”
“You want me to let him drink from me? From the vein?” I didn’t attempt to hide my horror. Shifters didn’t like vampires for the fact that most of them drank blood from humans. But to allow one to drink from someone like me, a shifter? I’d never out live the shame.
By the look of pure joy on Dominic’s face, that was exactly what he wanted. “You’ll do whatever he wants you to do.”
I considered my options. I could kill him right now. Leap over the desk, slash open his throat with the knife tucked in my boot. I’d be able to flee this place before anyone knew what happened. Curling my fingers into my hands, I considered it.
Samira wanted me to find out who Dominic was working with. What if there was someone even worse than him, someone who could destroy the world as we knew it? Was that my problem? My gift to mankind would be to rid the world of this jackass and leave saving the planet to someone more suited for the job. Like Samira. She fit the bill nicely.
But then I thought about Lynx and Ryder. And my uncle, my only living relative. If I killed Dominic now, what would become of them? What if this mystery Big Bad person killed them? I would never forgive myself.
Finally, I thought of Luke. I promised to help him find his brother. For that to happen, Dominic had to live.
I ground my teeth together. Maybe I could keep the blood drinking a secret from the pack. From Luke especially. What would he think of me?
I pushed up to my feet, feigning nonchalance. “Fine. I’ll be there.”
He slapped the table suddenly, making me jump. “Good. And don’t be late. I don’t want anything screwing this up again.”
“I’ll fix relations with the coven, then maybe you will see how I really do want to be part of the pack. I’m sorry for what happened to Silas—”
“Don’t ever say his name!” He jerked up out of his chair, spittle spraying from his mouth and his chair fell backwards with a loud clatter. Murderous rage filled his eyes.
I stumbled backwards and toward the door, my body trembling. Before he could say anything else, I turned and sprinted from the room, hating myself for letting him affect me the way he did.
&n
bsp; I slammed the door behind me and ran down the hallway, in the opposite direction of where all the shifters waited. I needed a moment to collect myself, but I hit a dead end, right at the elevator to the basement.
I stumbled and gasped for air. It wasn’t that long ago I was trapped in that basement for days on end. Hurting, starving, going mad. My fingers dug into the wall, and my hatred for Dominic grew stronger.
“Briar?”
The sound of Luke’s voice melted some of my fear. I quickly wiped at my eyes with the back of my hand. “What?”
“Everything okay?”
“It’s great.”
“What did Dominic say? Who’s he having you meet?”
I inhaled a deep breath, squared my shoulders back and turned around. “It doesn’t matter. I have to do it.”
He gripped my shoulders, his touch hot against my flesh. “It does matter. Who?”
His eyes burned into mine, making it so much harder to face him, but I managed to choke out, “Angel.”
Unlike me, he immediately knew who I was talking about. “That’s a terrible idea. Vampires are cruel and—”
“And shifters aren’t?”
“Not like vampires.”
“Seriously?” I crossed my arms. “So torture, whipping someone, and leaving them caged and starving to death isn’t cruel enough for you?”
His eyes widened. “Shit, Briar. I’m sorry.” He pulled at my hands, drawing me closer to him. “I didn’t mean it like that—”
“It doesn’t matter. Didn’t you hear me? I don’t have a choice. Dominic wants me to fix things between us and the vampires so we can start dealing Scorpion's Breath again.”
His jaw flexed. “I can’t believe he wants the pack involved with that.”
“Really? That surprises you? What isn’t our pack involved with? We beat people who don’t pay their ’dues’, we sell other drugs, plus do a bunch of other illegal shit. Why would dealing Scorpion's Breath be any different?”
“Because something like that in Rouen would change the dynamics of our city. It could introduce crime like we’ve never seen before.”
“All Dominic cares about is the money it will bring in.” Before he could argue, I stepped back and added, “It’s a done deal. I’ll meet with him tonight and see you in the morning.”
I couldn’t bear to look at him anymore, to be so close to him when all I wanted to do was step into his embrace. It was screwing with my mind, making me lose focus on my main goal. I mentally hardened myself and put my walls up again. I had to finish my objectives. I couldn’t get distracted by this sexy siren.
“I need to go.” I moved to pass him, but he caught my arm.
“Please, Briar.” He gently pulled me back to him, searching my eyes. “I don’t want you to go.”
I caught my breath. Was he asking me to be with him? To make this thing between us more permanent? My heart flip-flopped, and I clasped his shirt, struggling with the aching in my gut. I needed to run from him, get as far away as possible. I couldn’t do this, couldn’t get so involved. The rage in my blood was too familiar; it’d been so long since I’d thought about anything else.
But I couldn’t force my feet to move.
He rested his hands on my hips, tugging me even closer. His gaze dropped to my lips, making my body ache. My mouth parted, and I leaned up, collapsing the space between us.
He closed his eyes and the motion drew me a millimeter closer. All it would take was a small lilt of my head, a mere arching of my toes to meet his lips.
I stopped, hesitating. A guy like Luke wasn’t temporary. He was too dedicated, too loyal. I would obsess over him, maybe even fall in love with him. He would get under my skin and wear me. I would never be able to forget him.
But the timing was all wrong. I couldn’t jump into this until I’d destroyed Dominic. I’d lived my whole life for this moment, and I couldn’t let Luke distract me from it. My dead family deserved their retribution.
I gulped. “We’re getting too close. Whatever this is between us, has to stop.”
His eyes flew open and his hands loosened on my hips.
“I’ll still help you find your brother. I promise. But I can’t do this. Not now. I’m sorry.”
He gaped at me. I used his surprise to my advantage and pulled away from him, running towards the front door. I didn’t look back, afraid if I did, I’d rush into his arms and demand he take me away from this awful place.
I passed through the main living room, searching for my uncle. He sat next to Gerald, watching the rest of the shifters play some video game on the big screen. When he saw me, he jumped up as if he’d been waiting for me.
“Can I borrow your car?” I asked.
He reached into his pocket and handed me the keys. He motioned his head toward the front door, his mouth chewing on unsaid words.
I followed him out, glancing over my shoulder. Luke hadn’t followed after me. I repressed my disappointment and closed the front door behind me.
When we reached my uncle’s car, he asked, his voice low, “Where are you going?”
“I’m helping with the Nocs.”
He drew his brows together in confusion. “Doing what?”
“I’ll tell you later.” I opened the front door and paused. “Sorry I can’t tell you more, but I have to go prepare for tonight. Thanks for the car.”
I sped away from Fire Ridge, glancing in the rearview mirror several times as if it might come after me. My mind felt numb, and I didn’t stop, not even for stop signs, until I reached the place where Lynx worked. Her car was still parked across the street even though it was late.
She startled when I opened the door, dropping the dress in her hands. “What are you doing here?”
“I need something nice to wear tonight.”
“You?” She picked up the dress and brushed it off.
“Shocking, I know.”
“Give me a second. I’m just glad my mom is already gone. She’d kill me if I gave you anything.” She turned her attention back to a box which was filled with more of the same dress.
I roamed the store, looking at every dress I would never buy in a million years. Except that I was going to have to pick one of them. I fingered a lacy black one. If I was really going to do this, I wanted to do it as someone else. I would be someone else. Feel something else.
“You like that?” Lynx asked from behind me.
I lowered the thin slip of black material to my side. “It’s a dress.”
“One you would never be caught dead in.”
“Then it’s perfect.”
She took it from me. “No way. Not for you. Besides, if you sneezed wrong, your boobs would pop out. What’s the occasion?”
“Um,” I hesitated. “A date.”
She clapped her hands. “With Luke? Then maybe you should wear this.”
“Not with Luke.”
Her face fell.
“It’s with someone else. Dominic set it up. I just need to show this guy a good time.”
“Ew. You’re prostituting yourself?”
“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”
She frowned. “No.”
I slapped her arm, grinning. “Just kidding. It’s nothing like that. At least I don’t think so. I just have to entertain some guy for a couple of hours, nothing big.”
“Hmmmm,” she hummed, unbelieving. “Whatever, but let’s tone it down, unless you want to end up in his bed.”
I shrugged. “Work your magic.”
She grinned and walked directly towards the corner section of the shop. “I know exactly what you need. And I have the perfect pair of shoes at home you can borrow.”
Apparently, exactly what I needed was to try on all sorts of dresses for a whole freaking hour. The more I tried on, the grumpier I became, but Lynx never lost her smile, or her patience with me. We finally settled on an ankle-length red one. It was satin and hugged my curves just right. It also had a slit that went up to my thigh. Demure with a flash o
f sexy. The dazzled look in Lynx’s bright eyes made the decision for me. I paid her for it, using almost the last of my petty cash.
Damn, I needed to go back to work.
I watched her slip one of those plastic thingees over the dress. “Do you want any help with the rest of those boxes?”
I’d kept her pretty late, and I had a couple of hours to kill before midnight so had plenty of time to help her. Didn’t want to brood over my date.
She shrugged. “Sure, there’s not much left.”
She led me to a back room and began to rifle through an open box.
I glanced around. “So is this what you wanted to do when you were a kid? Working for your mom in a clothing store?”
She handed me a box of wooden hangers. “I don’t mind it. It gives me something to do, plus keeps my mom off my case.”
I frowned, putting a shiny purple tank top on a hanger and hanging it up. “She didn’t like what you wanted to do?”
“What makes you think that?”
I avoided her questioning look while continuing to hang up clothes. “Just call it a hunch.”
She stopped folding the jeans. “I wanted to go to New York to be a designer. I had a scholarship and everything. It was worth over a hundred thousand dollars.”
My head shot up. “And you turned it down?”
She stared at the impeccably folded jeans. “My mom didn’t want me to leave her. My dad had died a few years ago, and she has had no one else.”
“Why didn’t she just move up there with you?” I didn’t tell her I was sorry about her dad; I knew how empty the apologies felt.
She huffed. “And leave the Morgans? Not likely.”
“Wait, I thought you were a Morgan.”
She began folding another pile of jeans. “I am. But it comes from my dad’s side. My mom married into the family.”
“Oh.” Realization dawned on me. Witches were all about blood lines. Since Cassandra wasn’t blood, they wouldn’t keep her in the loop if she moved away. She’d probably lose any influence she had. “That sucks. Do you care about all that stuff?”
