by Tori Leigh
“Ha.” The intensity of his words shocked me. What I felt…did he feel it, too? “That’s kind of extreme, don’t you think?”
He glowered. “I mean it. Eyes on me, Audrina.”
Like I could look anywhere else! I grinned, trying to lighten the mood. “Yes, Master.”
He stopped short, his dark eyes flashing. “Say that again.”
I tilted my head at him. “Yes, Master.” Where had Naughty Audrina come from? I wasn’t sure, but I hoped she stuck around—I needed all the help I could get!
Gabriel leaned closer, his huge, hard cock throbbing against me. “I like it, Ms. Hawthorne. Master approves.”
Unf. I shuddered. We’d better get away from the elevator, otherwise I would definitely try to drag him back inside.
His handsome face twisted into a grimace. “They’re waiting for us. We need to make our appearance.”
I took a deep breath. “Are you ready?”
“I hate to share you, but yes,” he growled as he pulled me forward.
I’d been so dazzled by Gabriel and his rock-hard…body…I hadn’t even looked around. We appeared to be alone on the lower floor, which had thick, crimson carpet and black walls. Gabriel led me to a set of double doors. He straightened his shoulders, and with a final nod in my direction, opened them.
Inside was another world.
The club, an immense space with high ceilings, was also completely black and crimson. The walls were a glossy, deep onyx; the floors were red marble, and enormous crystal chandeliers glittered from above. The vibe was over-the-top luxury. The guests, at least a hundred of them, blurred together at first—men in their tuxedos, women in their gowns, all of which were black or red. My quick assessment was that it was a roomful of astoundingly beautiful, wealthy people. Eva would’ve loved it; I, on the other hand, was totally intimidated.
A full orchestra was set up to the side, playing something lush and romantic. The party was lively; laughter, chatter, and music filled the space.
But everyone stopped talking once we entered. They turned and stared. The band stopped playing.
Silence stretched out before us. Gabriel gripped my hand.
“Ah, at last, it is my brother. Welcome!” An extraordinarily handsome young man stepped forward, his golden goblet raised in a toast. “All hail, King Dalca!”
“All hail the king!” the crowd chanted. They went down on one knee—all of them—heads bowed.
What. The. Fuck? I glanced at Gabriel, not understanding. King Dalca? King of what?
He still gripped my hand but didn’t look at me as he swept forward into a bow. Gabriel smiled when he rose and faced the crowd. “You may rise. Let’s enjoy the festivities together, we have much to celebrate!” His voice boomed throughout the room.
Everyone stood; the music resumed. But the party wasn’t the same—the easy chatter had evaporated. The guests were stealing glimpses at us. Some of them were openly staring. I realized that I was the only female who wasn’t wearing black or red—I stuck out like a sore thumb in my blush-pink gown.
“G-Gabriel?” I whispered.
“Easy, Audrina. All in good time.” He sounded supremely confident. “Just stay by my side—all will be well.”
A server immediately appeared, bearing a silver tray. He handed Gabriel a goblet of red wine, and me, a crystal flute of champagne. The server bowed before he left us. “Your Highness.”
Gabriel nodded, then eyed me over his goblet. “Have you had alcohol before, Audrina?”
“N-No.” I swallowed hard. “Your Highness.”
“Nice flourish.” He chuckled darkly. “Would you like to have some this evening?”
I eyed the crowd. The women were scowling at me; the men were eyeing me up and down like I was a juicy piece of meat. “I think I probably should.”
Gabriel leaned closer, his cool breath on my face. For a moment, the rest of the party faded away. “Enjoy your champagne. But don’t drink too much—you need to keep your wits about you. I’m sure our guests will have plenty of questions about our backstory.”
“Y-Yes, Your Highness.” My voice wobbled.
He grinned at me wickedly. “I prefer Master.”
“You’re the boss.” If the subjects who’d knelt before him were any indication, this was truer than I could even deal with. “What exactly are you king of?”
His face softened a bit. “I’ll explain later. I’m sure this is all overwhelming for you.”
“I’ll drink to that.” I raised my flute toward him and then tried a sip of the cold, crisp champagne. It was tangy, not sweet like I’d expected. I loved it.
“Here come my brothers.” Gabriel gazed deep into my eyes. “Are you ready to meet them?”
I nodded, afraid my voice would betray me. I had another sip of champagne, liquid courage, as three handsome men approached us.
Each of them had Gabriel’s good looks and strapping build. They varied somewhat in height, but each of them was tall, over six-feet. Their chests, thickly muscled like Gabriel’s, strained against their tuxedos. The Dalcas had hit the gene-pool jackpot. Dark, piercing eyes, flawless pale skin, thick, dark hair that waved back from their prominent foreheads. I stared at each of them. Though all three were handsome, their features blended into one another.
Like a moth to a flame, I couldn’t help but steal a glance at Gabriel. His handsome face was already the only one that mattered to me. Shit.
“Audrina, these are three of my younger brothers.” Gabriel pointed to each in turn. “Cristian, Alexander, and this is Stefan, the baby of the family. Brothers, this is Ms. Audrina Hawthorne.”
All three of them regarded me with open curiosity. Their gazes roamed openly and appreciatively over me, with what looked like wonder in their eyes. They glanced at each other and then back at me again. I didn’t understand their gob smacked expressions. But what was it Mr. Finn had said? Master has been lonely for far too long. Maybe they were just really surprised to see their brother with a date…
“Introduce yourselves, brothers,” Gabriel commanded.
I recognized Cristian as the one who’d toasted Gabriel when we’d arrived. He was the largest of the three, with the broadest shoulders, but his eyes crinkled with kindness as he smiled. He bowed before me. “It’s an undeniable pleasure, Ms. Hawthorne.”
“I-It’s nice to meet you.”
Alexander, who was slightly taller than the others, eyed me up and down before he also swept into a bow. “I’m honored to make your acquaintance, Ms. Hawthorne. You are exquisite. Thank you for joining us.”
“T-Thank you.”
“Exquisite doesn’t do her justice, now does it, brothers?” Stefan practically elbowed the others out of the way. He brazenly eyed me up and down. His handsome face split into a grin.
“I’d say you were worth the wager, Ms. Hawthorne.” He turned to his brothers, waggling his eyebrows. “Iulian wins again, damn him! Three-blonds, a raven-head, two redheads—and he gets to keep his hellhound. Plus, he’ll be on his honeymoon, violating Bianca every which way he pleases. It’s hardly fair.”
Stefan turned his brilliant grin back to me. “But King Big Brother is clearly the real winner. Mmm, Ms. Hawthorne is delectable.”
“Stefan.” Gabriel’s voice was a warning. “Remember your manners.”
“Of course, of course.” Stefan’s gaze raked over me. “The pleasure is mine, Ms. Hawthorne. You are stunning, and you smell like heaven. My brother the king deserves only the finest to break his longstanding dry spell—”
“Stefan!” Gabriel clenched his hands into fists. “Bow to Ms. Hawthorne, but first, shut your mouth.”
“Brother, I only meant it as a compliment. Her scent is overwhelming. How can you bear it?” He peered past Gabriel to ogle me some more. “Ah, but you brought her just to show off your legendary self-control. Only you could execute such a stunt. You really are amazing, you know that?”
Gabriel stared him down. “Enough.”
“But�
�would you consider sharing? Just a taste would be enough to sate me. But knowing you, probably not…” Stefan huffed. “I’m going to have to hunt for my own virgin after the party. I’m getting too wound up. She’s the most delicious thing I’ve ever—”
“Not another word!” Gabriel roared. “She is mine. Bow to her now, or I’ll banish you forever!”
Stefan’s eyes got wide in his face. “You have claimed her, brother?”
“I just said she is mine. Now bow to her. Do it.”
Stefan looked confused. “But you haven’t even—”
“Stefan!”
Stefan grumbled something that sounded like you could have just said so, but he obediently swept into a deep bow.
He met my gaze when he rose. “Ms. Hawthorne, please forgive my ramblings. Welcome. I had no idea the extent of my brother’s…intentions. I’m sure you will be very satisfied with his many gifts. I would say more—like it’s a pity that I shall never taste you—but the king would have my head.”
Gabriel’s lips were pressed together, a white line of fury. “I expect I will have it, anyway.”
“Come now.” Stefan smiled at him. “I honestly meant no harm. I am thrilled for you. And as an added bonus, Leonora is going to lose her shi—”
“Leonora?” Gabriel hissed. “What on earth are you talking about?”
“She’s here, Gabriel.” Stefan scanned the room as Cristian and Alexander closed ranks around him, tightening our circle, blocking everyone else out.
“She’s somehow related to the bride’s family—some sort of distant cousin.” Alexander frowned. “You know how incestuous it all gets. We didn’t realize it until her name appeared on the guest list right before the party started. I’m pretty sure they were trying to sneak her in.”
“But no worries.” Cristian nodded at Gabriel. “You’ve got the hottest virg—date—alive, and you’ve already issued your claim to her. Leonora can only be green with envy, just like the rest of us.”
“Keep Leonora away from us.” Gabriel pulled me close against him.
“D’you want any help protecting Ms. Hawthorne?” Stefan asked hopefully.
Gabriel glowered at him. “Back off. Don’t make me say it again.”
Stefan puffed out his chest. “No harm in asking.”
Gabriel puffed out his chest. “Yes, there is.”
“Enough, enough.” Cristian nodded at his brothers. “We should find Iulian and Bianca. I know the bride’s family was hoping that the king would make a toast in their honor.”
“As it’s custom, I’ll do it—even though they snuck Leonora in behind my back.” Gabriel frowned. “Go on, we’ll catch up. I need a moment with Audrina.”
The brothers nodded and immediately swept away. Stefan winked merrily before he disappeared into the lavishly dressed crowd.
My head was spinning. The king. A virgin of my own. She is mine.
I drained my glass of champagne, then promptly motioned for another one.
16
AUDRINA
Gabriel stared at me, likely waiting for some sort of response.
“I… Um…” I clutched my fresh champagne flute so hard, it should’ve shattered. “What… What the hell was that?”
Gabriel’s throat worked as he swallowed. “Which part, exactly?”
“The part where your baby brother knew I was a virgin? Or maybe the part where he asked if you wanted to share?” My entire body grew hot, but not with desire—I was pissed. My skin prickled with humiliation.
“Audrina—”
“And what’s this about you claiming me? What the hell is that? And who’s this Leonora chick?”
“Shh, please.” He dragged me away from the crowd, into a dark corner.
I suddenly felt as if I might cry. “How could you tell your brother I was a virgin? That’s p-private.”
“I didn’t.” Gabriel looked miserable. “I swear to you.”
“Then how did he know?”
He took a deep breath. “The same way I know. He could just tell.”
I might die of embarrassment. “Is that supposed to make me feel better?”
He gently cupped my chin with his hand. “It’s not what you think—”
I shook him off. “Then what the hell is it?”
“I understand that you’re upset, and I don’t blame you. Stefan was out of line. He should never have made those remarks to you. I will have his head on a stake.”
I held up my hand. “Please, stop. You’re driving me crazy with all of this—heads on a stake, banishment, everyone kneeling and chanting your name—enough. Tell me what’s going on. Is this some sort of weird prank? Did my stepmother put you up to this, or something?”
I wrapped my arms against my chest. My eyes pricked with tears. I couldn’t think of anyone who hated me enough, besides Vivian, to play such a cruel trick. And I’d been on the verge of begging Gabriel to take me to bed…
Winnie was right. I really needed to get out of the house more often.
“Look at me. Audrina.”
I raised my gaze to meet his.
His dark eyes blazed. “I have never lied to you. No one is playing a trick on you, and I am most certainly not working on behalf of your vile stepmother. I asked you here for a reason, and you alone are aware of our arrangement.”
Gabriel put his hands on my hips and pulled me closer. “So I must thank you—first of all, for allowing me to touch you tonight. It helps, doesn’t it?”
“I don’t think it’s helping me,” I huffed. “Although you seem to be doing okay.”
He tugged me closer, a glimmer of a smile ghosting his lips. “I must also thank you for your patience with me, and with my family. As you can see, where we are from, customs are…different. In many ways, we are more direct. More honest about our desires.”
“I-I don’t understand.” I fought hard to ignore the pull I felt toward him, deep in my belly. “A lot of things aren’t making sense to me right now.”
“I know.” He frowned. “But they’re waiting for us. We must go and toast the bride and groom.”
When I opened my mouth to object, he pulled me closer still. That same heat kicked up between us, and I cursed it. My body wanted him—badly. Apparently, my body wasn’t very smart. “I don’t know how I feel about any of this. I don’t know if I want to be here.”
Gabriel’s gaze pierced mine. “I will answer your questions, I owe you that. If I do, will you stay for the party? Will you remain by my side?”
He flexed his hands against my hips, waiting for my answer. “Audrina?”
Against my will, I nodded—I’d already come this far. Curiosity might’ve killed the cat, but at least the cat found out something. “Y-Yes. If you answer my questions, I’ll stay.” I wasn’t making any promises for how long.
“Good. Let’s be quick.” He exhaled in a rush. “You asked me four things.”
“Wait, I have lots of questions—”
“The rest must wait until later. First, Stefan knew you were a virgin because he can sense it. My family is talented that way.” He watched me closely. “Second, he asked if I might share you because he’s an ass, but also, because you are the most desirable woman he’s ever seen. He just couldn’t help himself.”
“He could sense it? That’s crazy—”
“Please, let me finish.” His grip on my waist tightened. “Third, when I said that I’d claimed you, it’s exactly what it sounds like. I am letting the others know that you are mine. Once I have consummated my claim, no one else can touch you. That’s the law.”
“C-Consumated?”
The party guests began chiming their forks against their flutes and goblets, the universal signal to begin the toasts.
“That’s our cue, but I will answer your fourth and final question. Leonora is my ex-fiancé,” Gabriel said. “She is also a completely psychotic bitch. Stay away from her.”
I lifted my chin. If he was going to be technical, so was I. “I actually asked you fi
ve questions.”
He frowned. “Go on.”
“What… What are you king of?” I whispered.
With one last tug, he drew me against him. We were face to face. His hard length pressed against my belly, and I sucked in a deep breath.
I needed to know the truth, but Gabriel overwhelmed me. To be held by him, to feel his enormous, rock-hard erection, to know that he wanted me—something deep inside me, long unbidden, was unleashed. Desire. It washed through me, heavy and somewhat frightening, a riptide pulling me out to sea. It obliterated everything else—my doubts, my confusion, my common sense. I was going under, getting dragged away from the safety of the shore…
Heat smoldered between us as I waited for his answer, unsure if I really wanted to hear it.
“I am the King of the Underworld.” Gabriel’s dark eyes flashed, his hands roamed over my behind, cupping me, pulling me even closer against him. “And you—you are mine. Are we clear?”
I stared at him, unable to speak. The only answer I could give was the thundering of my heart.
He pulled back and held out his hand for me. “Now, we have a toast to make. Shall we?”
17
GABRIEL
As we crossed the room, I started making a list of all the people who’d crossed me that night. Stefan, Leonora, Bianca’s family… They would all pay.
But they could wait. Audrina could not. Her needs outweighed everything else.
And who was I kidding? So did mine.
We held hands as we navigated the party. The guests cleared a path, all eyes on us. As we passed, several of my peers leaned back and inhaled deeply. No one could resist Audrina’s powerful scent.
There were whispers in our wake. I made out a few of them:
I can’t believe he hasn’t taken her!
How can he stand it?
I envy His Highness’s bed tonight—talk about foreplay!
The King’s self-control is legendary indeed. Either that, or he is truly dead inside. No one can resist a double virgin!
