“I’m Zel,” she said, like she didn’t care if I remembered or not.
“Is that short for something?” I asked.
“Azazel.”
I could see why she went with Zel. “I’m Hannah.”
“I know. Lucas ordered me to protect you.”
“Protect me or prevent me from leaving?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. I had no doubt she could snap me in half with a lazy bend of her pinky finger, and she didn’t sound pleased about her new job as my bodyguard.
Her dark eyes surveyed me with something like disdain. “If you leave the penthouse you need an escort at all times.”
“Why?” I tilted my head with a frown. “Is Lucas worried I’ll run away?”
“Lucas protects what is his.”
And that included me now, I realized with a shiver. “What if I leave the city?”
She pinned me with a threatening gaze. “You won’t.”
I truly was a captive. I had the illusion of freedom, but Lucas had made sure if I went anywhere, his bodyguard-slash-spy would keep tabs on me at all times and make sure I didn’t run away.
Zel didn’t seem inclined to chat, so I continued through the living room and around a corner, discovering a small, well-appointed kitchen on the other side of the bar, along with a dark dining table that seated six. I couldn’t imagine Lucas doing much cooking, although this kitchen seemed like a chef’s dream come true. I didn’t recognize the brand names of any of the appliances, which made me think they were ridiculously high-end. I opened up the stainless steel fridge out of curiosity, and was surprised to find some food inside, including an impressive selection of fancy-looking cheese. I spotted foods with labels in foreign languages, and I examined tins and jars containing things I'd never even heard of. To my relief, I spotted a container of Heinz ketchup in the door. Something I recognized. Something that proved Lucas wasn’t all pomp and circumstance.
I shut the fridge door and headed down another hallway, with the distinct sense I was going down the rabbit hole and through the mirror. Nothing in this penthouse felt at all real. Everything was spotless, like dust didn’t even dare to exist within these walls, and I’d never witnessed such luxury or wealth so prominently and unashamedly on display. I was hesitant to touch anything, for fear of breaking something. I didn’t need to add to my tab with Lucas.
At the end of this hall, I found a big set of double doors like the ones that led out of the penthouse to the elevator. I tried the handle, but each one was locked. Certainty flowed through me that these doors led to Lucas’s private chambers. I rested my hand on the smooth wood and felt an intense craving to know what was on the other side, along with a whisper of something that felt a lot like desire. I shook off the feeling and turned around.
I wondered what Lucas would think of me looking around his space, and then I realized he almost certainly had cameras everywhere. He likely already knew that I’d been poking around like a mouse when the cat was gone. Well, what did he expect? I couldn’t sit around the guest room all day staring at my nails, waiting for him to return. I snorted at the thought.
I walked out onto the huge balcony that wrapped around the entire penthouse, and marveled over the pool that seemed to flow right over the edge and into the sky. The sun was starting to set, and Las Vegas was waking up with all its noise and lights. Soon my first sinful night with Lucas would begin. With a tremor of fear running down my spine, plus a heavy dose of curiosity, I wondered what he had planned for me.
Back inside, I found another set of double doors and assumed they would be locked too, but to my surprise, they clicked open—and then I walked into a librarian’s own personal heaven. A vast room filled with hundreds of books stretched before me like something out of a movie. The bookshelves around me seemed impossibly high, and Belle would’ve been at home tucked into a corner here, waiting on her Beast. Old leather editions were housed with glossy modern volumes, and I longed to flip the pages just to inhale all the scents the paper released. Brandy would’ve chained herself to the ladder that provided access to the upper shelves.
In one corner of the room was a seating area with plush, dark chairs and large paintings on the wall behind them. On the other corner stood a massive desk with nothing on top of it, and a silver sword hanging on the wall behind it that seemed to glow with an inner light. The legs on the desk were exquisite carved wood, wrapped in tiny wraith-like figures that turned out to be horned demons and gothic angels on closer inspection. Every time I blinked, the carvings seemed to move, and I stepped back and shook my head. I’d never been a good sleeper, and it had only gotten worse since arriving in Vegas. The long nights must finally be catching up to me.
I turned in a circle, taking in the library with awe. I wasn’t sure what the next seven days and nights would hold, but this library might make it all worth it. Like Brandy, I was a total book nerd, which was how we’d met, after all. I’d strolled into the Vista Library looking for something to read during the boring shifts at work, and we’d been best friends ever since.
Dark wooden pedestals stood around the room, displaying ancient-looking vases and other pieces of art under spotlights, like in a museum. I had no doubt each one was priceless. An old Greek vase caught my eye, and I moved closer to inspect it. Intricate black figures depicted a scene on an orange background of a large man in a crown sitting on a throne, offering a plate of berries or seeds to a woman standing before him. A small placard on the pedestal read, Hades Tempts Persephone, c. 350 B.C. My mouth fell open as I studied it with reverence. I was a huge history and mythology buff, and this vase hit both of those notes.
I’d expected a lot of things from Lucas Ifer, but I hadn’t imagined him as a connoisseur of ancient art and old books somehow. I stared at the vase for far too long, and then turned to the bookshelves to get lost in them. Row after row, both fiction and nonfiction, covering so many genres and topics it made my heart sing. I soon got overwhelmed and grabbed a notepad and pen to make notes on which books I had to read during my time here. There was no way Lucas would be around twenty-four-seven, even within the bounds of our deal, not if he had a city to run. This was the perfect way to distract myself from worrying about Brandy all day.
“I see you found my library.” Lucas’s smooth voice interrupted me, and I turned toward him. He stood in the doorway in his impeccable suit, all brooding darkness and beguiling shadows.
“It’s incredible. I could stay here forever getting lost in these shelves.” I was halfway through the room and my list had already gotten longer than I could manage.
A wicked smile danced across his lips. “I can arrange that, you know.”
I stiffened, remembering why I was here and how he controlled everything in my life for the next few days. “On second thought, seven nights is plenty.”
He let out a low, dark chuckle, the sound so sexy it made my toes curl. “What do you like to read?”
“History and mythology mostly, but I also love romance. Historical, paranormal, fantasy romance… It’s my guilty pleasure, I guess you could say.” I clamped my mouth shut the second the words came out. I wasn’t sure why I’d confessed that to him, especially when men were often so derisive about romance novels.
“No reason to feel guilty when it comes to pleasure…or romance.” He sounded amused, but at least he wasn’t mocking me or putting down the genre. “Those are my favorite genres as well.”
I gestured at the Greek vase. “I guessed that from the art. Very impressive.”
He followed my gaze with a mysterious smile. “I find history so…fascinating, don’t you? Especially how it can be depicted so differently from what truly happened.”
“But how would you know what truly happened?”
His smile grew wider and became downright devilish. “That is the question, isn’t it?”
“Excuse me.” A voice interrupted us just as I was about to lose myself in Lucas’s dark gaze. I shook myself and turned toward the door, where another far-too-attrac
tive man stood. He wore a suit like Lucas, but didn’t pull it off quite as well, even with his broad shoulders. The tips of his sandy blond hair touched eyelashes of the same color, and big blue eyes looked out at me from a face that could have belonged to any boy next door. Only this place didn’t have a next door, so where was this guy from? Where were any of these people from?
“Yes, Gadreel?” Lucas asked.
“I’ve brought her things from the motel, as you asked.” Gadreel’s eyes landed on me and lingered, like he was intrigued by my presence. I wondered if Lucas made these sorts of deals with women regularly, or if I was the first one to become the devil’s plaything for seven nights.
Lucas idly waved a hand. “Put them in the guest room.”
“Of course, my lord.” Gadreel gave a quick bow before exiting the room. Did Lucas really demand such old-fashioned obedience from his people?
Lucas’s intense gaze turned back to me. “If you’re wondering about our deal, I assure you my best people are looking into your friend’s disappearance and should have some leads soon. I expect we’ll know a lot more tomorrow.”
I swallowed, feeling a tiny trickle of hope and relief. “Thank you.”
“I always fulfill my end of the bargain.” His emerald eyes drew me in, and I was powerless to look away. “Now, it’s time for you to fulfill yours.”
4
Hannah
A long black limo drew up at the curb outside the front of The Celestial. I was pretty sure we got in at the back while the front was arriving at our destination. The spectacle was even more eye-opening than my low-cut black silk dress, which Lucas had delivered after he’d discovered I’d brought nothing formal to wear to Las Vegas. Or more accurately, that I didn’t own anything formal. Nothing that would live up to his standards anyway.
I’d never been in a limo, as far as I could remember. It was leather-everything with windows tinted so dark they seemed to be part of the interior walls rather than actual windows. My gaze kept drifting to the sunroof and the Vegas lights that played through the glass like some kind of neon kaleidoscope. I pictured myself hanging out of it and waving at passing cars like in a movie, but I refrained. This wasn’t a joyride, or a date even—this was part of a deal with a dangerous man to find my missing friend. I couldn’t forget that, no matter how glamorous it all was.
Or how gorgeous my captor was.
Lucas was the epitome of cool, calm, and collected as he sat back in his seat and straightened his tuxedo cuffs. Yes, he wore an actual tuxedo. Even in my new dress, which probably cost more than my monthly salary, I felt completely out of place at his side.
“I’ve decided each of our seven nights will represent one of the Deadly Sins,” he said, with a roguish smile that made my knees weak.
My breath caught as I imagined what those sins were. Wrath, envy, lust. “And tonight is…?”
His mischievous green eyes danced with amusement, as though he knew exactly which sin I was thinking about. “Tonight is gluttony. I hope you’re hungry.”
A silent sigh of relief left me. Gluttony I could handle. “Starving, actually. I haven’t eaten since this morning.”
Lucas tutted. “I did tell you to order room service.”
My hands twisted in my lap. “I’ve been too worried about my friend to eat much. Do you have any leads on what happened to her?”
“Not yet, but my people are combing the hotel’s security footage now.” He looked me right in the eye with complete confidence and seriousness. “I promised you I would find her, and I will. Do not doubt that.”
I nodded slowly and looked away before I lost myself in his dark, burning gaze. Worry for Brandy still stifled me, but I tried to push it aside. There was nothing more I could do at this point, except have faith that Lucas could find her.
The limo stopped outside the Bellagio, a massive hotel that looked like some kind of fairytale castle framing the huge lake of water and gorgeous fountains. The window slid smoothly down in front of me and music floated on the night air, while the fountains moved in time to it and lights splashed across the water.
“Look at the fountains,” I said with a gasp. When I turned to Lucas, he watched me with an unreadable expression on his all-too-handsome face, and I turned quickly back to the fountains.
The car drew to a smooth stop right in front of the hotel. Other cars raced by, but I lost myself for a few moments in the spectacle and the music. I'd never seen water sway like that before. Like it was alive.
Lucas stepped out of the limo when the driver opened the door, then he turned and held his hand out for me. I scooted over as best I could in the snug dress, trying not to snag it on my gorgeous heels. They’d arrived with my dress, and I’d nearly died when I saw the red bottom of the heels—the signature style of Christian Louboutin. I didn’t know much about fashion, but Brandy did, and she’d always coveted his shoes. Maybe I could sneak these back to Vista when this was all over and give them to her.
I took Lucas’s hand as I stepped out of the limo, and his eyes raked over me with something like hunger in them. Then he slowly lifted my hand to his lips, pressing a lingering kiss inside my wrist. I released a breath and met his gaze in surprise. The heat from his lips traveled right through me, straight to my core, and probably scorching my panties right off. How did he know that was my spot, the one that drove me wild and stoked my desire like nowhere else?
“You look exquisite,” he said in a low voice.
“Thank you.” I smoothed the dress, my cheeks flushing. “Anyone would look nice in such an amazing dress.”
“I wasn’t talking about the dress.”
He took my arm like a true gentleman, even if the look he gave me was anything but gentlemanly. Being this close to him made my heart race, and it wasn’t only with fear. He was far too good-looking, and the power and danger he radiated both intrigued me and made me want to run away all at once.
We entered the hotel and I tried not to have wide tourist eyes as we walked down the gorgeous entryway. Everyone scrambled to make sure our path was clear, parting like waves in front of us, and more than one person gave Lucas a deferential nod. He strolled by as if he owned the place, even though this wasn’t his hotel. That swagger was something billionaires always had, I guessed. People whispered as we walked by, my ears picking up the hiss of the sound but none of the words. Their eyes followed us, and more than one woman lost interest in her date as Lucas passed in front of her. Others shot me curious or even dirty looks. I was on the arm of Vegas’s most handsome, richest bachelor, and people definitely noticed.
At Lucas’s side, I felt like the queen to his dark king. Most surprising of all—I found myself secretly enjoying the thrill of it.
We stopped in front of a restaurant called Picasso. I knew nothing about the place, except that it was one of those restaurants that listed the chef’s name under the sign, so you knew it was going to be expensive and have dishes you couldn’t pronounce. Lucas led me across the shiny floors to the hostess, who waited at the entrance like she was expecting us.
"Mr. Ifer?" She was polite, but her deferential body language said she knew exactly who he was. “It’s a pleasure to welcome you to Picasso. We have the terrace all ready for you. Right this way.”
We followed her inside the restaurant, which was completely empty other than the three of us. A bit creepy, but it allowed me to marvel at how beautiful everything was. We walked along colorful carpet under mosaic ceilings and between tables covered in white cloths, past walls decorated with unusual geometric art.
As the name of the restaurant clicked in my head, my jaw dropped open. “These paintings. Are they real Picassos?”
“They are,” Lucas said casually, as though we weren’t basically walking through an art museum.
I didn’t think anything could top seeing real Picasso paintings up close, but then we walked outside and I gasped at the view. We were directly behind the gorgeous fountains, which towered over us against the backdrop of the Ve
gas lights, and close enough that I could feel the spray of water in the air.
He tightened his arm around me as I watched the fountains, mesmerized by how they danced and twined to the music with the kind of grace I’d never master. The droplets were like sprites or fairies and a lump formed in my throat as I imagined what Brandy’s reaction would have been to this magical sight.
“Your box for the fountains is on your table.” The hostess indicated the white-covered table with two red chairs on either side of it. The rest of the large terrace, which likely seated many guests on a normal night, had been completely cleared out, giving us a lot of space and privacy—plus this amazing view.
Lucas held out my chair for me, and I sat as gracefully as I could, praying I could keep it together in such an exquisite place. It would be just my luck to drop my dinner or spill my drink all over this dress. The whole thing was completely overwhelming, and it was hard not to gawk as the server came over and launched into a spiel about how the restaurant featured both authentic Picasso masterpieces along with decadent food inspired by the regional cuisine of Spain and France. Oh and over 1,500 selections from the finest European vineyards—not that I drank wine, but it still sounded impressive.
The server then handed me a tiny menu, just one sheet of embossed paper with six different things on it. I scanned it and picked the item that looked the least strange, because most of it was gibberish to me. “I’ll have the lobster salad please.”
The server gave me a pitying smile and spoke with a French accent. “Oh no, you don’t need to choose anything. These are the six courses you’ll be receiving throughout the evening, personally selected by our master chef. I guarantee it’s the finest food you’ll eat in Las Vegas.”
Demon King (Claimed By Lucifer Book 1) Page 3
