Kings of Midnight: Book One of The Midnight Saga

by J Q Anderson

  A crowd of sweaty bodies spilled over the bar. Tomi, the bartender, acknowledged my gesture and handed me a water. He waved off my intent to pay, so I blew him a kiss and scurried to a quiet corner. Leaning against a column, I people-watched as the fatigue from the long day crept up my legs. My watch said 3:00 a.m. Crap. Every second I was here meant lost sleep. It was time to give up on Irina and go home.

  “This is a cool place,” said a husky voice beside me. I turned my head to see if he was talking to me. A guy in a ponytail stood a few steps away, watching the crowd with a beer in his hand. He smiled when our eyes met. He was kind of scrawny, dressed in leather pants and a black T-shirt, but he had a sexy, badass thing going. His arms were toned and heavily tattooed. He looked like the bass player in a band.

  I gave him a quick nod and looked away, letting him know I wasn’t in the mood for making friends. These guys were all after the one-night fling. He took a step closer and I straightened up, ready to split.

  “Can I buy you a real drink?” He nodded at my bottle of water. “Are you here with someone?”

  “Yup. Here with friends. This is my last drink, thanks. I’m going home.” As I downed the last of the water, he stepped closer and rested his hand by my head on the column, effectively trapping me. I pressed myself back against the bricks, and he smiled seductively, his slightly crooked teeth an understated weapon.

  “You are beautiful. Don’t leave.” His chestnut eyes darkened, every inch of him exuding seduction, but the musky scent of his cologne was way too strong. It reminded me of bug repellent.

  I ducked under his arm. “I’m not interested, okay?”

  “How do you know?” His eyebrow arched.

  “I just know.”

  He opened his mouth, then tensed when he looked past my shoulder. His expression hardened.

  “Shame,” he murmured, his eyes still focused on something behind me as he slowly straightened and turned away. I watched him go, intrigued. What a night. I turned to leave and slammed into a wall. What the— The wall stepped back and I jumped. Holy fuck. My whole body froze at the pair of eyes locked on mine.

  Those eyes.

  I couldn’t hear the music anymore. The people, the noise, the lights—it all faded into a blur. The only thing that was one hundred percent sharp in HD was the hot stranger from that morning standing in front of me. He smiled, sending a tornado to my stomach.

  “What are you doing here?” The words snapped out of me before I realized them.

  “The same as you, I suppose.” This time he smiled fully. His voice was deep, magnetic. I felt it everywhere. Shit.

  “Right…” I said, glad it was dark. My face felt like a burning meteorite.

  “I see you've got both shoes with you now. That's a good sign.”

  Snarky bastard. Like I needed another one of those around. My mouth fell slack and I snapped it closed, wishing I could wipe off that smug expression of his. He looked yummy in jeans and a gray linen shirt, sleeves rolled up in that way that hinted at those roped, tanned arms. Ugh. Why did this guy unhinge me like this? I tilted my head, reining in my wits.

  “Helpful and funny. Charming combination.” I gave him a saccharine smile.

  He let out a throaty laugh, showcasing perfect teeth. I narrowed my eyes. But, damn, that same strange electricity from the moment we met tingled under my skin. It was unnerving. He was probably used to having this effect on every girl.

  “You shouldn’t be wandering alone. Aren’t you here with friends?” His tone was commanding, almost sulky.

  I frowned. “Excuse me?”

  “You are tempting fate.”

  I scoffed. What the hell did that mean? Why did this guy think I needed babysitting? We locked eyes for a moment. The changing lights in the darkness cast shadows on his sharp features, making him look sexy, powerful, and exasperating.

  “You’re just bait for guys like that.”

  “Guys like who?”

  “Ponytail Guy.” He nodded. “He’s in one of the bands that played here tonight. He’s no good outside music, I would stay clear.”

  “Would you? Well, thank you, but I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”

  He looked in the direction the guy had left, and something chilling crossed his eyes.

  “You shouldn’t be here alone,” he said. “Find your friends.” Then he simply turned and disappeared.

  I stood there, speechless, feeling like I’d been sent to the principal’s office. Fuckdammit.

  I stormed back to find Nata and Marcos. I couldn’t figure out why I was mad, but I was. Really mad. Marcos snatched my hand, pulling me to him. Augh, Marcos.

  “Play along,” he said, brushing his lips against my ear. His breath was warm, tickling my neck with the fresh scent of mint from the mojitos. His arms enveloped me and I immediately unhinged, the incident with Mr. Rude and Bossy forgotten. I closed my eyes, spellbound.

  “Is she looking?” he whispered in my ear.

  “Who?”

  “The blonde with the red dress, behind me.”

  “I don’t—”

  “How about the other one? The brunette? Maybe I should ditch them both. This is too much work.”

  “Marcos, you’re an infant. Look at them, they’re both totally into you. What more do you want?”

  “Shhh…Stay here with me, like this.” His lips found my neck again and pressed a soft kiss, sending shivers everywhere. This night is cursed. I tried to break away, but his arm held me securely against him. “Wait.”

  I sighed in defeat, leaning my forehead against his. I could seriously not pack any more into one day.

  “Marcos…”

  “Yeah, yeah. We are friends,” he whispered. Then he flashed a devilish grin. “That blonde wants me. You want in on a threesome?”

  “Dude, you’re all sweaty. Gross,” I said and pushed him away. He narrowed his eyes, biting a smile. I knew that look. Payback would come my way later.

  This is how it was between Marcos and me. He teased me and I let him. Even though he wasn’t in love with me, I knew he loved what we had as much as I did. While he went through girls like an ATM machine spitting out bills, our friendship stayed stable. I told myself that was enough for now.

  All the aches in my body screamed at once. My head pulsed with exhaustion. It was half past three and I needed sleep. I spotted Nata, who was still all over Teo, and gave her a quick wave. She said something into his ear, then cut through the crowd.

  “You’re not thinking of going home by yourself, are you?” she shouted in my face. The pounding music throbbed in my head.

  “It’s fine.” I yawned. I was used to coming and going alone, even at night. As the middle child in a family of four and growing up in the city, I wasn’t afraid to fly solo.

  “No way, I’ll come with you. Just give me a minute.” She turned away.

  “No,” I said, grabbing her arm. “I’ll get an Uber, or Nico will get me a radio cab. I’ll be home in five minutes. You’re having fun. Stay. Really, I’ll be fine.” I squeezed her in a quick hug, then gestured for her to go.

  She hesitated. Nata always worried about me going around alone. She was sort of a safety freak, and it clearly ran in the family. Her brother, Sergei, and his friends were always hovering in the background. They were a peculiar bunch, the Russians. Skinny, pale, angular jaws with five o’clock stubbles. Sunken eyes like they had been up all night. But something in the way they looked at you warned you to keep your distance. Sergei looked like he could kick your ass even though he was small and wiry. I felt safe when they were around. From a distance, they seemed like friends hanging out together. Nata’s father was a diplomat and ran an import business of some sort, so she always had protection. I suspected there was more to it, that the usual guys she kept around were on a payroll. Nata never said much, and when I asked, she was always vague. “Pappa is careful. That’s all,” she would say. I didn’t give it much thought. Even I knew running a successful business in Bueno
s Aires could be…legally complicated. As far as I was concerned, sharing a killer apartment downtown with my best friend, cheap rent, and the added bonus of a bunch of badasses watching your back were a super sweet deal.

  That night it was Alexei shadowing Nata. He was new and looked like a redheaded giant, too hairy in all the wrong places. He had a permanent scowl and eyed everyone suspiciously. Nata gestured toward him.

  “Alexei will drive you and come back after.”

  “No thanks. I’ll just have Nico get me a cab.”

  Nata rolled her eyes. “Will you stop being difficult? Alexei is fine.” We both looked at him just in time to catch him check his teeth on his phone.

  I smirked. “I think he should stay with you.”

  Nata laughed. “Okay, but you swear, and I mean you swear you’ll have Nico call you a cab. Don’t Uber at this hour and do not walk alone.”

  Chapter 4

  I elbowed my way out through the bodies still packed at the door. I felt bad for them. No way they would make it in. The basic rule for nightclubs was that if you didn’t get in within the first five minutes, you’d better try elsewhere. I slipped into my leather jacket and glanced over at Nico, shielded behind a cloud of hovering girls. They always fit the same profile: scarlet lipstick, impossible heels, indecently short dresses offering a generous view of natural or enhanced cleavages. Anything they could use to wear down a bouncer’s guard.

  Uber had a thirty-minute wait, and getting to Nico would require some work, so I figured it would be quicker to get my own taxi. Just a block away around the corner was the taxi stop we always went to when we came here. Pablo, the owner, was a Peruvian guy in his fifties who reminded me of my father. He had seven kids and always made sure Nata and I got a safe ride home. He only hired drivers he would trust with one of his kids.

  I set off in a fast walk, an old Serú Girán tune fading behind me. Damned heels. My feet throbbed and I wanted to kick my shoes off. A mound of trash bags piled up on the sidewalk made me think better of it. Just as I turned the corner, heavy steps approached from behind me. A shiver flew up my back.

  “Hey, wait up,” a husky, deep voice called. I doubled my steps, but he quickly caught up with me. “Hey, it’s me. From the Roxy.”

  I turned my head and a vague sense of relief washed through me when I recognized Ponytail Guy.

  “Oh…um…what…what are you doing here?” I asked without stopping. I could see the lights from Pablo’s taxi stop ahead.

  “Do you need a ride?” He quickly matched my pace.

  “Huh? No, thanks, I’m good.”

  “Really?” He stepped in front of me, forcing me to stop. “I can’t give you a ride? I mean…You’re alone.” He tilted his head. Cold fear rose up my back. I scanned the deserted street behind him. Shit. In the young hours of the morning, the city had fallen asleep.

  “There’s a taxi stop at the next corner. I’m good, really,” I said, stepping around him. A heavy mist saturated the air, and I pulled up my collar to block the chill.

  “Babe, I have a car.” He followed, again. “We can go out for a drink. It’s not late.”

  I sighed in irritation and hurried, but he stood in front of me again. Motherfucking night. Damn Nata, Irina, and the Russians.

  “Dude,” I said, managing a steady tone to hide the panic swelling in my chest. “I told you before. I’m not interested. I have an early day tomorrow, and I’d rather take a cab.” I dodged him, but his hand caught my elbow.

  “One drink. I promise I’m worth it.”

  I pulled my arm away, but he was strong and gripped me harder. Our eyes locked and his pupils darkened. A new surge of panic quickened my pulse.

  “Let go right now or I’ll fucking scream,” I growled through my teeth.

  He smiled, amused.

  “Let go.” I tugged away from him, but he yanked hard on my arm and wrapped his free arm around my waist, pressing me against him. I pushed back, but he locked me in his arms, blocking my attempts to get free of him.

  “Don’t be such a tease, baby. Though it would be fun to tame you,” he said too close to my face. His beer-reeking breath brought a wave of nausea to my stomach.

  “Fuck you,” I said, seething, adrenaline charging through me. Fear traveled through my legs, and I prayed they wouldn’t give.

  “Well…that would be my pleasure.” He laughed, pressing me tighter against him. He was hard, and it sent bile up my throat. No. I was small but strong, and I knew a couple of self-defense moves. Summoning all my will, I stomped on his foot as hard as I could, digging my four-inch heel into his Vans.

  “Ow!” He loosened his grip and, pushing back with all I had, I shoved my knee to his groin. He screeched, keeling over in pain. I bolted forward, but he launched himself at me from behind, yanking my hair. I let out a yelp. He wrapped his arm around me while his other hand covered my mouth. His palm drowned my scream, and I couldn’t breathe. I fought him off as tears of anger and frustration streamed down my cheeks. But my attempts to get him off me were futile. His hot, putrid breath panted against my neck. I thought I was going to vomit.

  “You fucking bitch,” he gasped against my ear. I squeezed my eyes shut and felt him smile. “You’re mine, now.”

  “You have exactly one second to get away from her,” a low voice growled from behind. Ponytail Guy startled, his grip relaxing. He turned to face the—oh my fucking god—hot and unnerving stranger from the nightclub—and the street that morning—Jesus, rescuing me—again? Relief washed through me.

  “Palacios. What the fuck do you want?” Ponytail Guy said, tightening his grip on my arm.

  “Step away, Danny. Now.”

  Ponytail Guy—Danny, chuckled. “We were just having a chat.”

  “Well, it’s over.” The stranger—Palacios? But to me he was The Guy—watched Danny impassively. Anger flashed in his eyes as he assessed me. “You okay?”

  With Danny’s hand still covering my mouth, I nodded.

  “Let her go.” His voice was low, guarded. “Now.”

  “I don’t think so. Besides…I’m getting goddamn tired of you calling the shots, Palacios. In fact, I think it’s time you fuck off.” Danny let go of me abruptly and pulled a utility knife from his pocket, snapping it open.

  I swallowed the tightness in my throat and stumbled back, panting. Without turning, his hand caught my arm again. The Guy’s eyes locked on that hand and narrowed.

  “Danny,” he said in a contained voice, “I’m not going to tell you again. Don’t make me have to teach you manners.”

  “Manners? Without your bodyguards? That, I wanna see. Let’s go, Palacios. Show me what you got.” He abruptly let me go and I stumbled back. My heel caught a crack in the sidewalk, and I fell, rolling my ankle. Shit. Hot pain lanced through my leg, and I prayed I hadn’t sprained it as I dragged myself away from them, clutching my ankle. The Guy’s gaze followed me, irritation flashing in his pale irises, then went back to Danny.

  “Go home,” The Guy said in a controlled voice.

  “I don’t think so.” Danny pounced at The Guy, slicing the air with the knife. The Guy swung back and dodged the blade without even moving his feet. He wasn’t armed but didn’t look at all intimidated.

  “Fucker.” Danny snarled. He aimed the knife at The Guy’s stomach, but he wasn’t quick enough. The blade didn’t come close to touching The Guy, who stepped forward and, with a swift move, gripped Danny’s wrist, forcing him to drop the knife. Before Danny could react, The Guy kicked the weapon away. He was calm, in control. He also seemed…annoyed.

  Danny swung his free fist at The Guy’s face, but with another stealth maneuver, The Guy turned him around and wrapped his arm around Danny’s neck. Danny tried forcing his way out of the headlock but couldn’t move at all. His face was flushed, the veins in his forehead popping out with rage as The Guy gripped him firmly, waiting him out. Danny’s eyelids grew heavy, and after a few seconds, they fully closed and his body went limp. I watched with a mi
x of horror and fascination. I had seen people do that in movies, but I never knew stuff like that actually worked in real life.

  The Guy let Danny’s unconscious body drop to the ground, then turned his attention to me.

  “You okay?”

  I nodded.

  “You hurt your ankle?”

  “Um…yes. Is he…?”

  “Just passed out. Your ankle…” He nodded. “Is it the same one from yesterday?”

  “Yeah. It hurts, but I don’t think it’s sprained.” I tried standing, but pain blazed up my leg. Shit. Maybe it was sprained. Fuckdammit. I couldn’t be injured. Not now.

  “Let me help you.” He leaned down, easing my arm over his shoulder. He was much taller, so I had to adjust my arm over his and wrap it around his neck. A wave of that familiar body wash slammed over me, and my eyes instinctively closed. His body radiated heat, and I shivered at the contrast with the cold of the pavement. He held me in place as I tested my weight on my foot. A new wave of pain spread up my leg, but it was bearable.

  “Can you walk?”

  “I think so. But I need to ice it.”

  “That fucking scumbag,” he muttered. “What are you doing walking alone at this hour, crazy girl?” His tone was soft, concerned. “There are assholes like him everywhere in this city.” He sighed in frustration.

  “You have to stop doing this,” I said.

  “Doing what?”

  “Scooping me off the street,” I said in an attempt to shake away the tremors inside me. Adrenaline still pulsed through my limbs.

  “I promise to stop scooping you off the street if you promise to stop ending up there.”

  “Deal.”

  “Deal.” His hand held me firmly against him. He was strong, and the muscles on his back were rock-hard. The warmth from his body against mine was comforting. He turned, heading in the direction of the club.