by R. Scarlett
I wanted him to see how he affected me. What he did to my body.
His nostrils flared as I pressed my thighs together.
Men’s laughter echoed again, and I wanted to run.
Beau shifted forward, his muscles bulging under his black t-shirt. My breaths came in quick bursts and I shivered when his body caged me in. Even before his lips touched mine, I tasted his anger, his wrath, his power. So fierce, so intense all the air left my lungs.
“Eat my soul. Drink. Feast from me,” he muttered, his lips brushing across my tight jawline. “Give me that high, cucciola.” The Italian word sat heavy on his tongue, his Italian heritage rearing its head.
He offered me his full mouth—a saint’s mouth attached to a sinister body.
I pressed my mouth to his upper lip and sucked—slowly, gently—until I nipped.
He growled darkly in warning, his fingers pinching my waist.
“Taste me,” he urged, his left hand wrapping around my neck—not harshly, but firmly. The darkness in his deep eyes told me he enjoyed the idea of me tasting him. “And only me, cucciola.”
My center throbbed at his jealousy, at his possessiveness.
And I caved—pressing my mouth to his in a brutal kiss of surrender and hunger. His tongue parted my lips and he wrestled mine, dominating me. His taste filled my mouth—so rich and dark and frighteningly sweet.
His hands rolled down my back and when he reached my skirt, they slid under the thin fabric and fisted each ass cheek, squeezing. “I could be addicted to the taste of you. That mouth of yours could keep a whole fucking army of incubi alive, but I don’t want it on anybody else, you hear me?”
“Fuck,” I gasped, my nails digging into his shoulder blades for balance. “Yes—”
His hand clasped over my mouth and my brows dropped to a frown—
“Fucking bastards,” a voice snapped in the room.
“Ignore them. Just forget about them and focus on the tits,” another told him.
My eyes widened in horror and my heart slammed against my ribcage. They were close. So close.
Beau stared back at me—not a sign of fear at the prospect of getting caught showing on his face. He leaned closer, his leg spreading my thighs apart. With his one hand still clenching my ass cheek, he lifted my leg, exposing the front of my panties to him.
His forefinger slid along the curve of my ass and slipped past my panties, touching my wet sex.
I gasped in shock and arousal, and the hand he’d placed over my mouth disappeared.
At first, his fingers ghosted over my opening. “Shaven,” he whispered. “Bare. Tiny.” He then pressed his forefinger deeper and a whimper left my mouth at the pressure. He saw my expression, lips twisting in a dark smile. “That’s just my finger, cucciola.” He stroked deeper and I bit back a cry. “I’ll have to break you before you can take my cock.”
Before I could say anything, his mouth met mine in a brutal kiss.
His finger and tongue began a deadly rhythm—stroking me to a dangerous high. Just the image of his thick inked finger touching me—the sounds of my own pussy, wet and tender—made me moan into his mouth.
And then he added another finger and my nails dug into his forearm—definitely drawing blood through his t-shirt.
Fuck me. I was going to come. I was going to come undone on Beau’s tattooed fingers in a shower stall with deadly fighters two feet away.
I moaned again, and Beau clenched my ass cheek in warning. My chest burnt, my legs ached, and I was so close—so close—the pleasure built in my pelvis and as I moved along with his finger, I felt his hard length on my inner thigh and he moved forward into my movement.
Beau quickened his strokes and I moaned openly into his mouth, earning me another ass squeeze until I lost it.
The pleasure seized me and overwhelmed me—and I collapsed against Beau’s strong body, his finger still stroking the last of my orgasm out of me.
Like he craved every last moment of it.
His finger slipped from my wetness and he dropped my leg, bringing his finger to his own mouth.
I watched in shock as he slid the wet finger into his mouth and licked it, staring down at me with black eyes of pure lust.
My entire body hummed with his power. I felt wide awake, hotwired because of the powerful incubus in front of me.
We listened to the sound of the two guys leaving the room.
Beau Knight had given me an orgasm. He had tasted me—my mouth and my pussy.
“Now tell me what you didn’t bother mentioning last night about Danny. About the files,” he said, a warning tone, one not leaving any room for debate.
I swallowed thickly and nodded, staring at him through my lashes. “I went to search his place. For answers about Dolores.”
Beau’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t say a word.
“I took the files…” I paused, bowing my head, afraid he’d see the wetness building.
His gaze was unwavering, and I didn’t like how he watched me. Like he felt my own pain ripping open his chest. Because if he didn’t care about me, it would hurt too much.
“And I’m going to search for Dolores,” I told him, straightening, not backing down. “She wouldn’t give up on me; I won’t give up on her.”
He stared at me in dead silence, his eyes not leaving mine. “You’re not doing this alone, Alexandra.”
I stared at him, the words stuck in the back of my throat.
His jaw clenched, and his gaze dropped, scanning me one last time before he turned, marching out of sight.
Gloomy, dangerous Beau. Tensley protected me far too long from him and now that I had a taste of his danger?
I wanted more.
I wanted all of it.
I wrapped my coat tighter around my middle, trying to ignore the cool November air. It had only been hours ago that I had healed Beau and he’d pushed me into the shower, shattering my world with his inked fingers.
The rest of my shift—everyone was gossiping about the guy bringing a weapon into the ring. Fiona said the guy probably wanted to prove a point. That he could take down Savage—a notorious fighter. As everyone focused on the fight, I focused on what to do next to search for Dolores. I didn’t feel like waiting for Beau and I knew he’d be pissy later at home for leaving without him, but I needed to breathe, I needed to collect my thoughts.
Danny could easily overpower me, saying I stole the files and everything in the files wouldn’t matter. And Beau felt responsible. He felt the need to protect me but that gave power to Danny.
I gritted my teeth.
He had us both in a painful position that I’m sure he loved.
The wind picked up like a cool slap against my cheek. Tiny snowflakes sprinkled in the dark, endless sky above me, drifting all around me.
My spine straightened but I didn’t stop moving. I swore I heard footsteps close by and I scanned my surroundings. The darkened street was one I was familiar with and I knew a cemetery was just around the corner. I had walked through it a few times at night because it was silent and a short-cut to my old place.
I pushed my hair behind my ear, continuing to walk.
Pebbles danced across the ground and I quickened my pace.
Turning the corner, all the air left my lungs at the sight of a man standing right there.
A man I recognized.
“Don’t look so frightened,” he said, laughing lightly.
My heart raced, pounding in my chest.
I heard footsteps behind me and glanced over my shoulder to see three more guys surrounding me.
I didn’t bother offering money.
These men were Danny’s entourage. His bouncers, his colleagues, his hounds.
“Let’s not make this difficult,” the same man said, his thin fingers running through his light hair.
“Difficult?” I laughed it off. These men thought I was weak. Thought I hadn’t lived and survived on the streets of crooks and killers and beasts. I had grown from their da
rk depth. I had thrived there, just as much as Beau thrived in his own dark pit.
I wasn’t a child. I wasn’t weak. Not anymore.
I straightened and smiled thinly at him. “Tell Danny to fuck off.” I spat in his face and he growled, rushing forward. I ducked, rushing past him. Their shoes thundered on the ground and I didn’t bother looking back. I focused on the cemetery gates ahead and collided with the iron bars.
I didn’t waste a second and used my upper strength to climb up and over the iron gate, glancing down at them following right behind.
I jumped down, my hands shooting out in front of me. I stumbled up and rushed down the darken dirt paths, in-between the gravestones and trees.
All I could hear was my breathing and their distant voices.
“Bitch!” one shouted. “How do you feel about a trip to diamonds?”
I slid behind a large tombstone and gripped my shirt, slightly leaning forward to see them wandering, searching for me. Diamonds? I froze. It sounded familiar. Like…I had been there. The word tossed around faintly in my mind. The hunters…
I jerked back, cupping my mouth. I couldn’t risk being heard. I tried to quiet my breathing and think.
I looked up to see a cross farther in the distance above the dark green trees. A church. I checked again behind me and then took one deep breath.
I pushed off, racing toward that one beacon of hope. Their voices called to me, threatened me, but I kept running.
I always ran and I never stopped.
The tiny chapel grew closer and closer, appearing between the trees and I rushed down the tiny hill and collided with the stone.
I yanked at the door, praying, begging it to open and laughed like an idiot when it did.
I snuck inside, making sure to shut the door quietly and eyed the ruined chapel. Most of the stained glass was broken and scattered across the pews and stone floor. An altar still stood at the end of the aisle and the statue of Jesus Christ crucified was attached to the wall behind it.
My body jerked at the sound of their hollers calling to me.
I tiptoed farther in and slid behind a pew, bending low and closing my eyes.
I waited in the darkness, hoping they’d leave. Hoping they’d believe I moved on and left the cemetery.
The hollers ended, and I opened my eyes, my body relaxing.
Then I heard a door open.
My heart clenched, and I leaned farther back.
A single set of heavy footsteps thundered in the chapel.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
I dug my nails into my palms and held my breath.
The closer they got, the more my heart sped. I needed to leave. I needed to escape.
They stopped at the other end of the pew and I froze.
Then their footsteps marched down the pew toward me. So close. So close to seeing me.
Three steps away.
Two steps away.
One step away.
I sprung up, rushing to the door, but an arm wrapped around my middle and dragged me back.
“No!” I thrashed, fighting against them as they pulled me farther into the chapel.
I kicked, elbowing the man in the gut.
And then he spun me and pressed me against the altar.
My eyes caught the sight of the last man I expected to see here.
“Beau?”
At the sound of her breathless whisper, my beast growled.
“Those fuckers took off,” I told her. “I heard them while patrolling.”
“So you weren’t following me?” she said and I watched her throat swallow delicately.
“No,” I said, dragging my eyes back up to her own. Those soft blues.
She was still pressed between me and the altar, her lower back easing onto its surface. She eyed me, the darkness shading us in its warmth, and I knew by how her lips trembled, she was afraid to speak. “What do you see me as?”
I frowned at her. “What?”
She licked her lips, not doing anything for my cock straining my slacks against the metal zipper. “Do you see me just as a responsibility? A burden?”
I froze, taking one deep breath. I scanned her, her short skirt had ridden up exposing her upper thigh and a hint of her round perky ass and up her toned stomach, across her supple chest and to her pouty mouth.
She was a fighter and a temptress—but her eyes were too soft, too innocent, too real. I had to remind myself.
I leaned forward, forcing her to fully lay back, my hands on either side of her. “I see you as a temptation. A sinner’s elixir.”
She swallowed visibly again and exchanged a quick glance between my eyes and my mouth. “I can’t stop. My soul—my soul craves yours.”
My cock jerked at her words. “Does it now…”
She nodded slowly, unable to look away. “I’ve heard others saying it’s rare for souleaters to find that one soul that gives them that intense feeling.” She rolled her bottom lip between her teeth and I couldn’t look away. “I think that’s you for me…”
“Fucking hell,” I hissed out, my hands going to her thighs and gripping her there.
“Wait,” she rushed, attempting to stand.
I frowned at her, watching as she straightened and turned to face me.
“Those guys mentioned Diamonds,” she said, her eyes scanning the floor in deep thought. I could see her mind spinning. “I remember a place called Diamonds. It was in Queens. I think…I think she could be there.”
I arched a brow. “Think?”
At my cool tone, her eyes snapped to mine, and they were dark and heated. I had tapped a nerve. “I know. I feel it in my gut.”
“Diamonds is a hunter’s club,” I said, voice strained. She fixed her coat and began walking down the aisle. I met her pace.
“If it’s the one I remember, yes, it is,” she said but didn’t meet my heavy stare.
I gripped her arm and we both came to a stop outside the doors of the chapel. “You’re not going to a fucking hunter’s club.”
She lifted her chin, glaring up at me. “I am, Beau. I have to. If Dolores is there…” She let out a heavy breath, so much in that unsaid statement. Then her eyes sharpened, a violent storm beginning inside of her. “People always left me, but she stayed. I promised Dolores I would never leave her, never abandon her. I need to find her. Because she wouldn’t abandon me.”
Dolores would be safe. Lex wouldn’t spend the entire night tossing and turning in my bed thinking about her friend and if she was okay.
“Fuck,” I hissed under my breath. “If you’re going, I’m coming.”
I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if something happened to her. If she was taken…
I’d lose it.
Lex’s eyes brightened at my words and her mouth parted, but I marched forward. She followed beside me and we vanished into the darkness.
LEX
Diamonds had no diamonds on its redbrick structure. Black tinted windows lined the building and it made my stomach drop. What were they trying to hide behind those tinted windows?
It stood on the outskirts of Queens, empty buildings surrounding it on either side.
As we neared the bar, Beau tugged me closer to his side. There was no bouncer at the door, but when we entered the front entrance, several men lounged close by, examining us warily.
I felt naked, sweat building on my upper lip. At the scent of wax and old carpet, memories flashed back.
Dancing for strangers. For human men who wanted to touch a demon.
Beau tightened his hold on my arm and I hadn’t noticed I had stumbled.
“I got you,” he whispered into my ear, his hot breath fanning my cheek.
We entered the dark large room, velvet red couches lining the area and outdated floral wallpaper climbing up the walls. What made my stomach drop was the sight of girls dancing on separate platforms, men watching, tossing money onto the ground they swayed on.
“Look around,” he told me, his eyes focusing on other th
reats. “Do you see her?”
I glanced around the room, walking slowly, eyeing each girl that passed us, each girl dancing.
The room was crowded with customers, loud and drunk.
“Anything?”
I shook my head, toying with my bottom lip. My heart began to sink.
Maybe she wasn’t here.
Maybe she…was gone.
Maybe I was too late. I hadn’t tried hard enough. I hadn’t been fast enough.
Beau pulled me against his side. “Breathe, Alexandra,” he said softly against my cheek.
I caught my breath and blinked away the tears. Be strong. Be brave. Don’t give up.
And then as we moved closer to one of the high platforms, I saw her hidden behind a curtain, entertaining for one single man, slender and old and a cig pinched between his lips.
Her long chestnut hair had been chopped short to sit underneath her jawline and she swayed, dancing off key to the blaring electric in the back.
My heart climbed up my throat and I gripped Beau’s hand, tightly. “That’s her.”
I let go before he could speak and moved to stand just below the platform. Her outfit was a tight neon pink dress that looked made out of plastic and her shoes looked too tall for her to stand properly.
“Dolores,” I shouted, reaching out to touch her ankle.
“Hey!” the old man snapped, waving a finger at me. “She’s mine right now.”
A hand gripped my wrist and I turned to see a man dressed in a tailored suit staring back at me.
“If you want to touch you need to pay,” he said, and after his words left his mouth, he paused, glancing at me, and then behind me.
I knew Beau stood a few feet back.
I didn’t care. I would break this monster’s wrist if I had to. Dolores was coming back with me.
The man furrowed his brow, his hand still gripping my wrist, and then realization seemed to dawn on him.
Beau’s hands moved to the man’s neck, and by the way he pinched his fingers, I knew he had hit a nerve and knocked him out. Beau tossed him onto one of the couches.
The old man shook as he stood, but he didn’t have time to run. I plowed my fist into his head and knocked him out cold.
I climbed up onto the platform and gripped Dolores by her arms.
