by Lela Grayce
“Alright, let's do this.” We both stood ready to get this part over with.
Before we even turned toward the door a blade suddenly appeared pressed against Gavin’s throat. It had happened so fast that it even startled me as I gasped.
Kreed held a katana, the shiny deadly edge pressed against the throat to my ex-boyfriend. My first thought was that Kreed lied and he was actually feeling more than just protectiveness.
I opened my mouth to say something but before I could Kreed’s icy voice spoke. “No one is going anywhere.”
“Kreed! What the hell?” I yelled, watching as the light glinted off the shiny edge of the katana. I had seen three strapped to his back earlier and judging by the length this was the shortest one.
Kreed’s hood still covered his face, making it hidden in shadows. I couldn’t make out anything. His opposite hand had a small dagger clutched in it. I was reeling from how fast this had taken a turn.
Gavin’s eyes widened. Sweat droplets gathered on his forehead. He may not be all that great with dominance games, but he knew when he had his neck in the mouth of a predator.
“Seriously Kreed! What the hell?” I tried again trying to shift his attention from Gavin to me.
“He’s not telling you everything,” Kreed growled. Like literally growled and it made fear trickle down my spine and heat to pool in my belly. What a confusing mix of emotions.
“I told you everything I know,” Gavin protested, trying to step back, the chair blocking is way. Quicker than I had seen anyone move, the dagger in Kreed’s hand pressed against Gavin’s back. He was trapped between two deadly blades with a crazed killer calling the shots.
“Okay, let’s just calm down, alright.” My voice shook. I was legitimately terrified that something bad would happen if I didn’t handle this situation.
“I can smell your fear,” Kreed stated in a voice that was regretful. His eyes briefly flicked in my direction.
I guess Kreed was speaking to me. “Well, you have two blades positioned just right to kill my ex-boyfriend and I’m suddenly realizing that I don’t know you at all or what you are capable of, so yeah, a bit scared is putting it lightly.”
“I wouldn’t hurt you,” Kreed answered softly.
“You kinda swore to protect me but I don’t think you put ‘protect her from myself’ into account.”
He stiffened obviously not having thought about that. He didn’t lower his weapons though.
“Look Gavin,” I tried again. “Kreed’s not going to let you go unless you tell him the truth at least as far as it goes for my safety. Everyone has secrets so spilling guts won’t help anyone.” Plus Syd would be pissed if something happened to Gavin he was a loyal douche canoe.
“Nik’s done this a dozen times.” Gavin nodded slowly as to not deepen the blades pressing against his neck. “She’ll wear a disguise, serve the boss, get a feel, then she’ll be done. She’ll probably have to stick around for a bit so he, nor his goons, get suspicious.”
“What exactly is she getting a feel of?” Kreed stepped closer. “What protective measures do you have in place for her? She must be important to live in a decked-out penthouse with security out the ass. Tell me Gavin, what assurances can you give Nik about this highly dangerous task she’s about to undertake?”
“Kreed, I’ve done this before. I can handle myself.” I was starting to feel hurt by the lack of faith in my skills, also anger, but I was trying to keep that secondary.
“Could you excuse us? We have some things to discuss,” Kreed said, finally taking his blades away from Gavin and returning them on his body.
“Nik?” Gavin asked, his eyebrows pulled together in concern. There wasn’t much he could do if I said no, he didn’t have the oomph to back it up.
“I’ll be fine.” I jerked my head at the door so he’d get the hint to leave.
I was ninety-six percent positive that Kreed wouldn’t hurt me, the other four percent however was him wanting to because of my distinct lack of self-preservation and possibly my stubbornness.
Once the door clicked closed behind Gavin, I turned my eyes to Kreed who stood two feet from me. His posture relaxed, which pissed me off for some reason.
“Where do you get off?” I asked, cringing because it wasn’t the best time to spew movie quotes.
“Uh…” he said clearly, not understanding. Disappointing.
“What the hell was that?” I hissed wanting to pace but my heels got in the way so I kicked them off.
“You can’t expect me to let you walk into a dangerous situation,” Kreed answered.
“Let me!” That did it. I was gonna rip this guy a new asshole to talk out of because the current one needed to go. “Listen here you pompous ass…”
Before I could finish calling him the colorful array of words I had been thinking of all night, arms like steel grabbed me. I gasped as my back slammed against the wall not hard enough to hurt but enough to get my attention. My arms were above my head Kreed’s giant hand holding both wrists firmly. I stood, straddling his leg as he pressed his massive muscular body against mine making it impossible to move or kick him.
“I think it’s time you listened,” Kreed hissed his breath tickling my ear, he was so close.
I opened my mouth, but a hand covered it before I could utter a sound. I tried to buck my hips but only accomplished humping his leg.
“Stop. I’m not hurting you,” he said, leaning in closer using his size against me. I could feel him from my collarbones all the way down to my pelvis.
I took a deep breath. In through my nose, pulling his scent as I did. He smelled amazing, like freshly fallen rain and something spicy. The smell went from my nose to my belly in a second and heat pooled deliciously. I had a sudden urge to move against him again, to touch him, to breath him in and taste him.
A shiver ran through my body and I stilled the conflicting emotions ravaging my mind as I tried to figure out what to do.
“We don’t know each other and we don’t trust one another yet but whatever bond we share temporarily is forcing me to protect you. Healing me connects us and while that happens, I will protect you with my life. I’ll kill for you and lock you in a basement until the bond fades in order to keep you safe. You literally hold my life in your hands.” He paused as his chest rose filling his lungs and from the position of his face I knew he was breathing me in too.
The heat in my belly grew hotter and I desperately wanted to squirm to somehow extinguish the heat or rather make it burn more. I’d never felt anything like this; heat, desire, anger, want. I needed to pull him closer. He was the only one who could counter the flames and I wanted him too.
“My race is new to you,” he stated gruffly like he was in pain. “I don’t expect you to understand this bond but know that I am just as frustrated as you are. I cannot let you go into a dangerous situation, the bond and the instincts of my people, we are born with will not allow it.”
I nodded my head letting him know I understood then wiggled my hands. He loosened his grip on my wrists letting me pull them away. His hand lingered on my mouth before dropping it. He pulled back. My hands found their way to his shoulders before he could pull back fully. I reached behind his head, grabbed a fistful of his hood and yanked it off.
He didn’t fight it but let the material fall. Stormy blue eyes with glowing specks of copper and gold stared into mine. He had mentioned repeatedly that there was a connection between us but it didn’t feel anything like what I had with his dad. Maybe Kreed and Brutus were right in that the bond between a male healing a female and the reverse was different. I had fought and dug in my heels during this whole thing even going as far as to reprimand Kreed for not understanding Mutts when I hadn’t tried to learn anything about him either.
I was a hypocrite and an idiot. Could I trust Kreed? No.
Could I give him the benefit of the doubt?
Sighing, I knew what I had to do but trusting anyone, especially from a race that supposedly didn’t
exist, was difficult. I understood the other races but didn’t agree with their spite of their half-blood offspring. Hell no. I could at least see their side. In this situation, I couldn’t and I had acted like a bitch because of it.
I rested my hands on his chest ready to push him back but instead my palms stayed pressed against his hard muscles. I didn’t want to push him away. Actually, I wanted the opposite. So much, in fact, that the heat in my core revved up to scorching levels. I groaned as the delicious heat infused my body, lifting my head back. I don’t remember grabbing fistfuls of Kreed’s sweatshirt or pulling him closer. Constrained against me again, I felt him everywhere. The flames licked higher and my back arched with it.
His lips were centimeters from mine. My chest rose and fell in needy pants that I would probably be embarrassed about later. Kreed’s eyes had dilated and were fixated on my lips. He licked them showing just a little fang as he did and I thought I would combust right there. Cool hands gripped my hips contrasting with the heat I felt inside me.
I closed my eyes having never felt this before. The coolest, softest touch brushed against my neck and I shivered wanting more. Needing to continue whatever this was.
A thunk sounded at the door jarring us from the place I had been. I opened my eyes to see Kreed’s head turned, his massive body blocked my view. He tilted his head like he was listening which was impossible because this room was soundproof.
We stayed frozen for several more moments while an idea formed in my mind. Something that would make everyone happy.
When Kreed turned around I was ready and studying his slightly pointed ears. “How good is your hearing?”
His face didn’t give away any indication about what had just happened which hurt my ego a bit, not gonna lie. He raised an eyebrow at me giving away nothing but the soft glow in his eyes did.
“You can hear through soundproof walls,” I stated. His straight face gave the answer.
“Babe, you look fine as…”
“As sin?” I supplied, resisting the urge to scratch my scalp through the wig.
“Girl, red is your color. I’ve said it every time you come in.” Milly’s overly eye-shadowed eyes winked at me. I stared at her trying to figure out how her eyelids could handle the weight of what looked like glitter glue.
“Yeah,” I sighed looking at myself in the mirror admiring the long red ringlets that bounced about my shoulders.
“Why so glum girl?” Milly asked, bumping me with her shoulder as she swirled her lollipop in her mouth letting the hard candy clink against her teeth. “I saw that tall drink of yumminess you waltzed in here with. What’s the scoop?”
“He’s a dude that owes me.” I adjusted my boobs so they were easily seen.
“Right,” she drew out the word before turning and looking out the two-way glass behind us. “He watches you.”
“Yeah, he’s protecting me. Kinda hard to do that without seeing me,” I snipped, then felt instantly guilty about being so snippy.
“Nah, he watches you like a predator watches something that he wants to eat but can’t. It’s damn hot.”
I glanced behind me at the two-way glass that showed the club floor full of people dancing, drinking, hooking up with strangers. Among the gyrating bodies and flashing lights was a hood clad figure who blended a bit too well in the shadows. I could feel eyes on me and suspected that Kreed could see far better than he let on, just like his hearing. The guy was a mystery that something in me desperately wanted to figure out while another part wanted me to ditch him first chance I got.
“He’s not interested in me like that,” I told her with confidence. The squinty eyed look she shot at me told me that she saw through my bullshit.
“He’s interested in something about you. If not your body, then something else.” Milly raised her eyebrow at me. I didn’t react, at least not on the outside. She tsked at my silence not buying it for a second.
Milly was a veteran of Crimson Damnation having been there since it had first opened. She had a dark past that she rarely talked about but still thought she deserved to be in everyone else business. It wasn’t her fault technically, having Fae blood in her made for annoying mental accuracy that everyone else lacked. She saw things that no one else did, be it physical or supernatural, it was freakin’ weird. She fit right in.
“Honestly, Milly, I don’t know what to make him. It’s confusing.”
“All the best things are.” She winked at me before her face became serious again. “There's more to him that neither you or I could guess. He’s got a darkness, a shadow that follows him around and weighs on him. You can almost see it.”
She was looking at me again with that look like she was seeing something more. It creeped me out. I’ve been around Milly enough that when she gave advice to other people it always made my skin crawl. Today, she turned that focus on me.
“Nik, you ready,” Gavin called from the other side of the door.
Milly squeezed my shoulder reassuringly before grabbing her apron and tying it around her waist again. “I’ll see you at the bar,” she said before opening the door and slipping past Gavin.
I took one last glance into the mirror, sucked in a deep breath, then put my game slash waitress face on.
Crimson Damnation was a club and like every club you couldn’t keep it one-hundred percent clean, but it was monitored closely. The main floor was surrounded with two-way mirrors not that the patrons knew that. Hallways lined with mirrors on all sides, so security could view the floor from every angle. It was Gavin’s idea.
“Let’s do this,” I said, accepting the apron Gavin held out to me and wrapping it around my hips.
“The boss is in the VIP area on the west side. I’ve sent Lena on her break so you’re covering that side until she gets back in an hour. I’ve got Jed up there keeping an eye on things. If you feel uncomfortable or need help rub your hand on your right thigh then tuck your hair behind your ears.”
“Got it.” I nodded then turned and walked down the hallway where the door to the bar was.
“Nik,” Gavin called, as I pushed the mirror door open a sliver. I glanced over my shoulder meeting the eyes of the man that I had thought at one time was my forever. “Be careful.”
“I will,” I promised, then opened the door wide enough so I could slip out, praying that I hadn’t just jinxed myself.
I made my way to the bar where Milly was slinging drinks across the top as fast as the orders were being placed. I grabbed a black towel tucking it into the white apron tie at my lower back. A pad and three pens sat on the counter above the drawer, I grabbed them and slipped them into the pockets.
Milly gave me a wave before picking up the tray of drinks she was working on and walking it over to me. “This is for the VIP table quiet side,” she hollered in my ear.
I grabbed the round tray from her and balanced it on my hand before making my way through the packed dance floor, aiming for the set of stairs that lead up into the VIP section.
The club was simply designed with a sunk-in-dance floor with three bars spaced out on the next level, with sitting spaces tucked throughout. There were balconies that could be rented out for special occasions; they were empty tonight.
I passed a corner and could just barely make out the hooded figure in the darkness cast by the stairs.
The ascent was difficult in heels and balancing a tray of drinks, but I managed it, barely. A guard stood sentry at the top making an impressive figure to dissuade anyone from trying to get into the VIP section who didn’t belong. He nodded my way; I could enter. Stepping into the room, the deafening noise from the rest of the club vanished and my ears popped. This section was spelled to be soundproof by a powerful witch. I’d never met her, but Syd spoke highly of her.
I turned left aiming for the back corner where my mark was. This area of the VIP room was very popular, I have no idea why. Must be something with the vibe or feng shui or whatever. Maybe the couches were just comfy. Knowing the type of people/creatu
res/supes that frequented this place, it must be something else like having the high ground.
Three couches made of random pieces of leather sat in the corner surrounding an enormous wooden coffee table. Well-dressed men sat strategically on the cushions, drinks in hand talking quietly. The rest of the VIP area was empty, but I knew you could never be too cautious.
My heels clicked on the white and gold marble floor, drawing the attention of every man in the corner. Several pairs of eyes dragged looks up and down my body, half were mesmerized by my legs while the other half stared at my boobs. Doesn’t matter what species men were; they’re all pigs.
I stopped beside the coffee table, cocked my hip while balancing the drink tray with my left hand and gave them all my best flirtatious smile. “Gonna have to help me out gents, your waitress went on break but didn’t tell me who’s drink was who’s,” I drawled, adding a slight accent to my words.
“I’m sure we can help you.” A young-looking guy said, winking. It didn’t help his leer to be less creepy.
I bit my lip while taking a good look at him. My ability told me he was a shifter and the longer I looked the clearer it became in my mind. He was a full shifter with two different animals. His parents were full-blooded and changed into different things. I got the impression that he was feline but looked away before I found out exactly what.
“This ‘lucky Irishman’ must be yours.” I grabbed the milky drink and handed it to him thinking it ironic that he was feline ordering a cream drink. Cats and their dairy.
I went around the couches handing drinks and getting a read on each one. There was a broad array of species represented. None of them were Mutts. All seemed to be mixed with something but not with humans. A witch-Fae mixed man with dark skin and milky, white eyes gave me the absolute creeps. Halfies weren’t uncommon. I’d never seen so many in one place before, it was unnerving.
The last man to receive a drink must’ve been the new boss of the Unseen. His black striped suit was immaculate as was his sandy hair. Nothing out of place. He was speaking to the half witch beside him in a low tenor voice, making the heat inside me perk up.
