by Vivi Dumas
“There are plenty of other options tonight. No need to waste time on someone already taken.” Angel clenched her jaw as she took another look back at Jacque. He took our breakup well, moving on to his next target. Guess I didn’t make such a bad decision after all.
Etienne brought another round of drinks to the table plus some new faces. Angel wondered who the three new guys were and didn’t mind having to get to know them better. The one in the middle was taller than Jacque with hazel eyes, highlighted with golden flecks. His chest muscles strained through the tight tee and tapered down to what Angel swore was a twelve pack of abs. His brown hair complimented his light eyes. He was clean-cut like a marine, odd for a Supe.
She purred toward the sexy hunk of man in the middle. “Etienne, who’s your friends?”
“I’m hosting some of our out of town guests for the meeting next week. These are the Boudreaux brothers from Lake Charles. They’re with the rougarou pack,” Etienne introduced. The girls were confused for a second. Luckily, good looks hid the most glaring flaws sometimes. Jacque was the poster boy for hidden flaws.
The hottie in the middle reached for Angel’s hand, brought it to his lips and said, “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. You’re more beautiful than Etienne explained.” His smile belonged in a Crest commercial.
Angel didn’t care at this moment about the sweet lies men told. She needed the compliment and accepted it greedily. “Thank you. And what should we call you, besides sexy?”
“I’m Damon. This is my brother Albert. And our baby brother Henri,” he said, his eyes never leaving her face. This was what she wanted from Jacque. For him to look at her, all of her, with unadulterated admiration.
“It’s nice to meet you all. These are my friends, Jasmine and Natasha.” The music thumped harder. Angel recognized the song. “Rude Boy” by Rihanna.
She downed her drink and hollered, “Ladies, it’s time to party! Let’s dance.”
“Do you mind if we join you?” Damon asked.
Grabbing Damon’s hand, she headed to the dance floor. “I’m game if you are. Let’s go.”
***
Although the petite Fae grinding against him embodied sex, Jacque was bored. This made the third dance and he was ready to call it quits. As he told his unyielding partner he was retiring to the bar, a familiar voice rang through the music. As he scanned the club, he spotted her holding some dude’s hand, leading him to the dance floor.
The sting of jealousy pierced his heart as the animal following behind her admired the sway of Angel’s hips in the much too small dress. The purple scrap of cloth she wore barely covered her ass and cut across the swells of her breast to tie across one shoulder. Just seeing her made Jacque’s pulse quicken, sending the wrong message to his new friend.
Jacque debated whether to leave or stay on the dance floor. He wasn’t sure if Angel saw him yet. He decided to stay for a better vantage point, wanting to make sure Angel was safe. At least that’s what he told himself.
When the group got closer to the dance floor, he was able to sense the beings. The females were human. The males were werewolves. What the hell was Angel doing hanging out with weres? Those mutts were dangerous. Then Jacque realized they came with Etienne.
Angel weaved through the bodies, writhing to the music, with the big dog in tow. She stopped only a few feet away from Jacque, giving him optimal view of her movement. Every time her body brushed against the wolf, murderous images flashed in his head. When she slithered her body down the front of the male and turned to grind her ass into his crotch a low growl rumbled in Jacque’s chest. He swore a smile played across Angel’s lips as if she heard him.
This was the longest song ever. He sighed in relief when it finally ended. Jacque led the Fae back to the bar and deposited her with her friends. He ordered another drink and found Laurent at Etienne’s table. Angel and the wolf stayed on the dance floor, making Jacque cringe. The music slowed down and his woman latched herself onto this stranger when she should be with him. He fought every urge to go and retrieve what belong to him.
“I told you you’d regret this.” Laurent took a swig of his drink.
“Shut up,” Jacque hissed as he watched the wolf’s hands roam down Angel’s back. Anger coursed through Jacque’s body, causing the veins in his neck to bulge.
“It sucks to be you right now. She’s pissed. She saw you with the Fae. And I’m a dude and can tell you the rougarou is serious competition.”
Laurent just doesn’t know how to keep his mouth shut.
Another growl escaped as the dog cupped Angel’s ass. “Shit. What don’t you understand about shut up? I know I fucked up.”
“I want to make sure you understand. I’m going to mention it once again. I told you this was a bad idea.” Laurent slapped Jacque on the back, hard. “Hey, who’re the hot chicks Angel’s got with her?”
“Oh, she said those were her friends,” Etienne answered.
“And you let them go with the rougarous without calling me over? I thought we were bros?” Laurent joked.
Etienne’s voice held a hint of disappointment. “I wasn’t sure you were interested in humans. Anyway, the Boudreaux brothers arrived, I made introductions, and the ladies grabbed them up and took them for their pleasure.”
“Man, Jacque, you fucked it up for all of us,” Laurent spat in disgust.
Etienne eyed Jacque. “This is your fault? You upset Angel?”
Laurent leaned on the railing, studying the dance floor. “Yep.”
Etienne gazed at the girl on the dance floor. “Then you need to fix this. I have my eye on the exotic dark-haired one Angel brought.”
“I’m not stopping either of you from getting a girl. My female problems don’t extend to y’all. Angel’s still speaking to you fools.” Jacque leaned back in his chair propping his black Kenneth Cole loafers on the table. “If you don’t have game, don’t blame me.”
***
Guys like Damon existed in fantasies, the poster boy for tall, dark, and handsome. He had a bad boy vibe going on like he rode out of a scene from Biker Boyz. As much as Angel wanted to be into him, she wasn’t. When Jacque left the dance floor, she almost did the same, until she realized he still watched them from the table, her table. She wasn’t ready to confront him yet.
Angel felt uncomfortable dancing to the slow song and resisted the urge to slap Damon’s hand when he palmed her butt. She couldn’t decide if he was a werewolf or an octopus. Any woman would kill for the attention of a man like Damon, which was evident by the lingering stares from the other females in the club. Angel’s heart was already spoken for, only she messed it up with her insecurities.
Anger and sorrow glinted in Jacque’s eyes. She couldn’t bear to see him hurt, even when she inflicted the pain. As soon as the song stopped, Angel led Damon back to the table. Jazzy and Nat made it back also. They smiled, enamored with Jacque as he flirted and wooed them. He was a charmer.
Angel, feeling mischievous, threw her arms around Laurent and smacked a big kiss on his lips. “Fancy meeting you here.”
Laurent’s blue eyes sparkled. “Oh, you’re feeling it tonight, aren’t you? How many drinks have you had?”
“Not enough. Be a good boy and get me another.”
“What’re you drinkin’?”
“Whatever you bring. Oh, wait. Can you get something for Jazzy and Nat, too?”
“Not a problem, cause you will introduce me when I get back.”
“Of course.” She kissed him again and sat on Damon’s lap by accident.
Before she could move, he circled his arm around her waist, holding her hostage.
When a deep rumble erupted out of Jacque, the girls jumped away. Both Etienne and Laurent stepped between Jacque and Damon. After struggling with Damon, Angel managed to remove herself from his lap. Once released, she took the seat next to Jazzy.
Laurent held his hands to Jacque’s chest. “Hey, man. Help me with these drinks.”
“Fine.”
Jacque fumed as he stalked toward the bar.
Everyone left at the table remained quiet for a moment. The crazy Zydeco beat of the music added to the frenzy.
Damon raised a brow. “Angel, is there something you forgot to tell me?”
“I didn’t forget. I just haven’t had a chance to tell you yet.”
“Like to tell me now?”
She shrugged her shoulders playing it off as nothing. “Jacque and I use to date and we kinda broke up earlier tonight.”
“I don’t think y’all are broke up yet. At least not in his opinion.” Damon’s Cajun accent grew stronger with his frustration.
“It’s hard to let go of all of this.” She waved her hand down her body.
Damon’s low roar shook the table. “Oh, you are trouble. Maybe more trouble than I’m willing to tangle with.”
She gave him a half-grin as relief washed over her. “It’s your loss.”
Jacque reached across Angel’s shoulder and placed the drink on the table. His mixture of musk and heat was as intoxicating as the liquor. She brushed off the instinct to press her lips against his neck as the hair along his collar tickled the side of her face.
“I got you a chocolate martini.” His breath caressed her ear. “Hope you like it.”
“I love anything chocolate,” Angel answered as Jacque pulled up a chair and sat behind her. The closeness of his body felt both right and uncomfortable at the same time. The girls eyed her, silently demanding the dish. They would force the whole story out of her later or at least the closest version to the truth Angel could divulge.
“So, Angel, we bought drinks. Now you owe us introductions.” Laurent flashed a smile at Nat. She easily affected men with her golden skin and sandy-brown hair. She stood as tall as Angel, only with a slimmer less curvy build. They loved her for runway work. Nat beamed her perfect white smile back at Laurent, mesmerizing him with her Creole beauty.
“Laurent, these are my two very best friends in the world, Jasmine and Natasha. We all grew up together. Nat and I even ran off to New York together to start our modeling careers. She still does a lot of stuff in Paris and Milan.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, ladies. And I hope we’ll be seeing more of you.” Laurent spoke only to Nat.
“Angel, you’ve been holding out on us,” Jazzy interjected. “You’ve been hiding out with all these handsome men and keeping them all for yourself. Not cool.”
“Luckily there’s enough to go around.” Angel winked as Etienne brought a chair and squeezed in between Jazzy and the youngest Boudreaux boy. She chuckled at the boy’s frown. Even as a girl, Jazzy held a power over men.
Although Jacque was quiet, his presence surrounded Angel. He played with a strand of her hair, twirling it around his finger. She turned to him and asked, “Where’d your friend go?”
He dropped his eyes to the floor before he answered, “What friend?”
“The one you were dancing with when I came in.” A hint of anger bit in her words. She hated men who played stupid, and Jacque was far from stupid.
“She’s not a friend. Just someone who wanted to dance.”
“Huh, you two looked very comfortable with each other.”
His gaze finally met hers, pleading for forgiveness. “Just dancing.”
Etienne broke into the conversation. “That is a stunning dress you’re wearing tonight.”
“Thanks.” Angel turned to look at him. “Something old I had at the back of my closet.”
“The only thing more beautiful is the woman wearing it.” Etienne winked at her.
No matter how farfetched, Angel appreciated the compliment. “You always know what to say to a girl.”
“E is correct. You are truly breathtaking tonight,” Damon offered.
“Thank you so much.” She appreciated his flattery. She wasn’t sure if it was to please her or piss off Jacque. Maybe a combination of both.
Jacque glared at Damon. “You need to keep your eyes to yourself, dog.”
“Maybe, it’s you who needs to remember where his attentions should be.” Damon growled.
This is going to be trouble, Angel thought.
Chapter Twenty-Four
If Jacque scooted any closer, he’d sit on top of Angel. He needed to claim her, to show the big dog she belonged to him. As he played with her hair, he sensed conflict inside her. She was still open to him, wanted him.
The music slowed, Laurent and Etienne asked the girls to dance. Jacque wanted to use the opportunity to hold Angel close.
He leaned forward, brushing his face close to Angel’s. “May I have this dance, ma bien-aimée?”
She gazed into his eyes. “I’m your beloved now? Why should I dance with you?”
Jacque ran the backs of his fingers down her cheek, feeling her shiver under his touch. “Pleeease.” She bit her lip and gazed up at him with surrender in her eyes. Angel gave him her hand, letting him lead her to the dance floor.
Once on the floor, he pulled her tight to him. The strawberry smell of her shampoo enticed him to burrow further into her neck. Her hips ground into his to the slow rhythm of the music. His hands trailed down her back, coming to rest at the curve just above her firm ass. He released a breath when she laid her head against his chest and relaxed.
Her touch was agonizing. He wanted to whisk her away, but feared pushing too hard. As they danced, he whispered, “I’m sorry.”
She lifted her eyes to his, smiling. “Me, too.”
He engulfed her with his massive body and kissed her softly. Her mouth parted in a groan and his tongue entered its sweetness. He deepened the kiss as they circled languidly on the dance floor. He was home.
Shots rang out.
Jacque spun them around with his back facing the direction of the gunfire, trying to protect Angel. The heat of the bullet set his arm ablaze. It caught him in the shoulder. Another entered just below his rib cage, radiating pain throughout his torso. When the second shot hit, Jacque realized something was wrong. Angel went limp in his arms.
Gunfire continued to zip past him, coming from all directions. Shit. Who brings guns to a Supe club? Swords and daggers are expected, but guns? Jacque picked Angel up and sprinted for the back door. Laurent and Etienne grabbed the other girls hot on his trail. The wolves jumped the railing, charging in the direction of the initial shots, hunting for the gunman.
Outside, Etienne shoved everyone into his limousine. Jacque slid in behind the girls, laying Angel on the seat beside him. Blood covered the front of her dress. He couldn’t tell how much was his and how much actually belong to her. He ripped the dress from her body. The bullet hit her in the chest, most likely lodged in her right lung.
“Is she okay?” the dark-haired one screamed, kneeling on the floor of the limo.
“She’ll be fine,” Jacque answered.
“She’s not breathing.”
To hell with the humans being there, he had to save Angel. “Etienne, I need your help. She needs blood,” Jacque pleaded with him. With her head in his lap, he bent down, kissing her temple and whispered, “You’re going to be fine. I promise.”
Etienne took her wrist to check for a pulse. “I think it’s too late. I don’t hear her heart.”
“It’s not too late. Just do it,” Jacque demanded.
Etienne slit his wrist with his claw and put it to Angel’s lips.
Jasmine tried to yank him away. “What the fuck are you doing!”
“I’m trying to help her.” Etienne held Jasmine at arm’s length to shield himself from her flailing hands. Laurent trapped her arms, dragging her back in the seat.
Angel wasn’t drinking.
Natasha sat on the floor next to Etienne. “Move back. Maybe I can help.”
Natasha covered Angel’s heart with her small hands and closed her eyes. A bright light radiated from Natasha’s hands. She chanted in a language vaguely familiar to Jacque. The energy in the car increased as her chants grew louder and faster. She skimmed her hands all over
Angel’s body, and the light grew brighter. After an explosion of energy escaped Natasha’s body, she collapsed onto the floor. Laurent gathered her into his arms and cradled her against his chest.
The group waited in silence.
Angel moaned his name as her eyes fluttered under closed lids. She was alive. Jacque gathered her close, raining kisses on her face.
“Jacque?” she murmured.
He brushed the hair from her face and pressed his lips on her forehead. “I’m here, babe.”
“What happened?”
“Too long to explain now. We’ve got to get you girls outta here.”
“Everyone else okay?”
“Yes. Etienne is gonna take y’all back to your place to get your grandmother and sister, and then you all go back to his place. Okay?” She closed her eyes and tried to refocus on his face. “Why?”
Jacque caressed her cheek and ran a finger across her lips. “Just do what I say for once. I don’t want any of you to stay at the house or be alone.” He smiled down at her oval face.
She pushed up on her elbows, trying to sit up, but failed. “Where’re you going?”
“Laurent and I have to go find the shooter. We’ll meet y’all back at Etienne’s.”
“Be careful. And you better come home.” Her gazed captured his, the intensity in her eyes showed she meant her words.
Jacque winked at her. “I always do.” There was no need to tell her about him being shot too since his wounds had already healed. “Etienne, you take good care of these ladies.” Jacque hesitated, laying Angel’s head on the soft leather.
Laurent settled Natasha in the seat. The healing spent her.
“I’ll protect them with my life. They’ll be safe once we’re back at my place. I have several guards and many of the visitors have started to come into town. Do you want me to send help here?” Etienne pressed his lips in a thin line, creasing his brow.
“No, we should be fine with the weres. Hopefully, they’ve already caught the gunman. Do you have a place we can hold him for questioning?” He fingered another strand of Angel’s hair. He hated leaving her. He had to find the shooter to ensure her safety.
