"YOUR REPORT, Stefano?"
"Gladly. I spoke with the girl. She mentioned another demon. Hope. Said this one's the Lords' enemy. Clearly they lied to her. Hope is not evil. Besides, we've seen and heard nothing of him. As for movement, at fifteen hundred hours, the one called Reyes left the fortress with a warrior we haven't yet been able to identify. The girl just left the premises, as well."
"The Darkest Pleasure"
"Was she bound?"
Dean Stefano sat at his desk and held a phone to his ear, sweat pouring from him. After talking with Danika, he'd spent a little time in front of the punching bag, hammering away. Then a call had come in from a trusted source, one who had relayed unexpected news. News that could destroy everything he'd worked for these past ten years.
Then he'd had to make a call of his own. This call. His heart would not stop pounding.
"No," he said. "She didn't appear subdued in any way. She was with the female demon Cameo and seemed willing to follow her. I'd say she acted of her own accord. Might even be working with the demons now." It would be a shame if that were true; he'd had high hopes for young Danika.
His boss remained silent for several seconds. They had worked together for a decade now, and he knew Galen to be single-minded in his pursuit of a life without Lords. Fierce, ruthless in his quest. Righteous.
That's as it should be. Galen was an angel, sent from the heavens. A living, breathing angel who flew through the skies on the wings of glory. Stefano hadn't believed him, not at first. Then he'd seen the wings. Then he'd looked deep into the man's eyes - eyes as fathomless as the sky, eyes that offered hope in a world of despair. Stefano had grabbed on to that hope for all he was worth.
Galen had assured Stefano that when the demons were gone, the world would become a peaceful place. Pain and misery, pestilence and disease would be things of the past, a distant memory. Ten years he'd been fighting this battle, and he'd never regretted it. His wife would be avenged, and never again would a happy couple be hurt as they'd been.
"Keep a close eye on them. Do not trust the girl and do not let them take her anywhere. If they try to move her, kill her."
"You can count on me." In war, there were always casualties. "There's something else." He gulped. "The girl...she's not simply a human. My source claims she's some type of living weapon. Supernatural, like the demons. What she is exactly, he didn't know. But if she is working with the Lords and if she does have special powers..."
There was a pause. "Why did you let her go then? Not only let her go, but gift wrap her and deliver her to the enemy?"
Because you told me to, he thought, but didn't say it. They had the same objective, and discord would only distract them. "My apologies. How shall I proceed?"
"Retrieve her. And if you can't - kill her. Better she dies than helps them."
DANIKA GAZED AROUND the nightclub. A silver strobe hung from the ceiling and tossed glistening pinpricks of light in every direction. They gleamed like stars in a black velvet sky, made for wishing and dreaming.
Hungarian rock blasted from the speakers. People danced, their bodies undulating together in a heady rhythm. Hands roved, caressing, kneading...seeking. The scent of sex practically coated the air. Waitresses hustled drinks from the bar to tables, then raced back to grab a few more.
Where was Reyes?
On the dance floor? Grinding his erection into another woman? Asking that other woman to scratch him, bite him, hurt him?
Danika's hands curled into fists. She'd finished the preliminary sketches on two paintings and had even added a little color. One, she'd hidden. It was for her eyes alone. The other she'd propped in the studio before going in search of Reyes, knowing he would want to see it. She hadn't found him. Instead, she'd found Cameo, the beautiful woman who made her want to pluck out her eyes and jam sticks into her ears.
Cameo had escorted her here and now stood at her side. "Look. I probably shouldn't have brought you here, or let you leave the fortress at all. Try to run, and you won't like me when I catch you. But I'm a sucker for romance, so here we are. See him?"
"I won't run." The emotional pain caused by the woman's voice was almost too much, and she nearly covered her ears to block it. "And no, I don't see him."
"When you do, just remember he is a warrior with a tortured past you cannot even imagine. If you want him, you'll have to fight him."
Maybe it was their topic, but the more Cameo spoke, the more the sensation of misery eased. "Don't you mean for him? Fight for him?"
"Oh, no. You'll have to fight him. He won't surrender to his feelings easily. Good luck. Remember, no running or you'll regret it." With that, the female warrior disappeared into the shadows, leaving Danika alone in the doorway.
Well, as alone as a woman could be when surrounded by people. Were any Hunters among them? The suspicion chilled her. What if they were here? Stefano had told her several of his men would be in the area. What if they saw her? Tried to talk to her? Sweet Jesus. She and Stefano hadn't covered what to do in this type of situation because neither of them had thought she would be leaving the fortress. Despite the ice in her blood, sweat instantly beaded over her skin.
Where the hell was Reyes?
As she barreled her way through the crowd, her gaze scanned every face. No one familiar jumped out at her. By the time she reached the bar, she didn't know whether to be relieved or terrified.
"The Darkest Pleasure"
"What'll it be?" the bartender asked in Hungarian.
She'd spent a month studying the language before she and her family had first flown here, so she knew enough to get by. "Coke," she replied, not wanting to risk alcohol. Though numbness would have been welcome, all of her wits were needed.
A few seconds later, the drink was sliding toward her. She slid one of the multicolored bills Cameo had reluctantly given her to the man and faced the dance floor again. Again, no Reyes. Shaking now, she moved forward, trying not to slosh her drink over the rim of the glass.
A man latched on to her free arm, grinning and pulling her closer. Scowling, she ripped herself free. Her expression must have been murderous because he paled and held up both hands in surrender.
She sipped the soda and moved forward, gaze continuing to search, blood pressure rising. There was a wall of windows at the far end of the club, elevated to overlook the floor. Another room? Probably. Probably VIP, too, with a guard at the door. Yep, she saw two seconds later. There was indeed a guard.
You're smart. Sometimes. You can find a way inside.
Determined, she raised her chin and marched. The tall, muscled man standing in front of a staircase frowned over at her, and that frown deepened the closer she came. He crossed his arms over his middle.
"I'm looking for Reyes," she said, first in English, then in fumbling Hungarian.
His brown eyes gave no flicker of recognition either time. "Back off, lady. It's a private room." English. At least he was polite enough to be rude to her in a language she could understand.
She persevered. "If you'll just tell him - "
"Back off, or I'll have you thrown out."
"I have information he needs, and he'll be - "
The guard reached out, intending to shove her. But strong fingers wrapped around his wrist, squeezing, and he howled.
"No touching the girl." A large figure stepped from the shadows. "What are you doing here?" that figure growled, releasing the man.
Danika's eyes widened, and her mouth fell open. Her heart instantly sped into a frantic tango, mimicking the dancers behind her. Reyes towered in front of her, cut and bleeding. Blood was dried and splattered on his neck. His black shirt was ripped, gaping around his navel and revealing a small patch of tanned skin.
"I asked you a question, Danika."
He'd been with a woman. The knowledge was like being hit in the chest by a dozen arrows, all laced with poison. She thought of the last time she'd slept with a man. Sadly, she had to go back years. Even more sad, it hadn't been that good. Something had been missing. Reyes's kiss had promised that something. Or so she'd thought. The urge to slam her palm into his nose, shoving cartilage into brain, filled her, but she managed to stop herself in time. He'd like it.
And there'd be no more pleasure for Reyes. Not from her.
"I just came to tell you that your enemy could be here, watching you. I didn't realize you'd be doing a little hunting of your own." She placed her drink on the nearest table, spun and stalked away. Where she was going, she didn't know. I will not cry.
Now strong fingers curled around her shoulder, halting her getaway.
This time, she couldn't stop herself. She swung around and planted her fist straight into his eye. His head whipped to the side.
When he righted himself, she saw that his nostrils were flared with...desire? Oh, yes. It was in his eyes, too, his pupils dilated and consumed the brown irises. He reached for her.
"Don't touch me," she shouted over the music, jolting back.
His arm fell to his side. "Hit me like that again and you'll regret it."
"You plan to hit me back?"
"No, but I will be all over you, unable to keep my lips off you."
"Oh, yeah," a male voice called from above them. "Fight it out, baby. Fight it out."
Her gaze lifted. A gorgeous man had opened the windows in the VIP room and now hung halfway out of one. There were two women beside him, caressing his bare shoulders and back, licking and nipping at him.
Was that what had been happening to Reyes before she'd arrived? She saw red. He, at least, still had his shirt on.
"Bring her up here, my man," the stranger commanded with a grin. "Let her join the party."
"Shut up, William," Reyes growled. "You are not helping."
While she'd been aiding him and his cause with her painting, Reyes had been scoring babes and making friends. How sweet.
"Come on. Bring the blonde. There's plenty of room, and I'll be bored without you."
"I don't want her up there."
Because she'd spoil his good time. No reason to say it out loud. Danika had heard enough. She had a good ten feet between them in less than a blink. If only she could stop her trembling. Why do I care who he's been with? He's a demon. They're evil. Sometimes. And I'm working for their mortal enemies. Kind of.
Someone backed into her path, laughing at something someone else said, and she shouldered her way past him, uttering a quick, "Sorry."
"The Darkest Pleasure"
"Hey," he shouted. Whatever he thought to say next died on his lips as Reyes caught up with her and punted the man out of the way.
His arm banded around her waist in an iron lock. She glared up at him but didn't struggle. There was no reason to. Physically, he was stronger than she was. Where's your training? He led her through the crowd. People gasped as he approached and jumped out of his way. If they weren't fast enough, they were sent flying to the ground. None of them demanded an apology or even seemed to mind, she noticed. Some actually smiled when they touched him, as if he were a god, their savior.
"I know Hunters were watching," he said. "In turn, Torin was watching them and called me when there was a problem. He'll call me if there's another. How did you know they were here? Did you see your captor?"
Were, he'd said. Another problem. "What happened?"
"We'll discuss that later."
"I'm not going back to the fortress with you," she told him, ignoring his question.
"No, you're not."
So...what? Where was he taking her? Was he getting rid of her? Kicking her out? "You're a bastard, you know that? But fine. Whatever! Throw me out on the streets. I don't care. I'm leaving tomorrow, anyway, and the journey will be much easier without you."
They reached the side wall, three doors greeting them. Two were marked bathroom - one a man's, one a woman's - and one said Keep Out in big red letters. Reyes didn't slow as he shouldered that door open, shattering the lock and ushering her inside.
There was a desk, several chairs, filing cabinets and a computer. Oh, and four men. All four jumped to their feet, gaping at Reyes.
"Out," he barked.
There was a slight hesitation, but they didn't protest. Once they gathered their wits, they nodded and raced out of the office as if their feet were on fire.
Danika stalked to the desk and whirled. "How dare you!"
His eyes narrowed, homing in on her. "How dare I what? Claim this room? The club was destroyed by Hunters nearly two months ago, and I rebuilt it in three days. Believe me, they are happy to let me use anything I want."
Even the female patrons? she almost shouted, barely managing to contain the words. "No, how dare you force me in here? I'm done with you!" And what did he mean, Hunters had destroyed it? She remembered the aftermath of the explosion, but hadn't realized Hunters were responsible.
He closed what little distance there was between them. His warm breath trekked over her face, and she tried to hold her own breath. She really did. But that lasted only a minute before she was sucking in his scent, her lungs desperate.
"No, you aren't," he said softly, menacingly.
Though she wanted to tear her gaze from his harsh and beautifully angry face, she didn't look away. I'm strong now. I do not back down. Ever.
"Are you angry because I left without you?"
"Please." She raised her chin, squared her shoulders, just like she'd learned in one of her classes. Sometimes appearing confident was enough to send your opponent running. "I'm not angry."
"Liar," he lashed out. His top lashes intertwined with the bottom, blocking even a minute view of his pupils. "Why? Tell me."
"Go to hell."
"How many times must we establish that I'm already there?" He leaned down, a little closer to her.
Another tremor shook her. "There's nothing for us to discuss. I came to warn you about the Hunters, and I've done that."
"I believe I asked how you knew."
"I believe I refused to answer."
His head tilted to the side, his gaze raking her body, lingering in all the right spots. "Are you going to betray me, Danika?"
"I should," she said, practically spitting the words.
"But you haven't." A demand for the truth.
Her lips thinned into a mulish line.
He massaged the back of his neck, looking tired all of a sudden. "What am I going to do with you?" The question was clearly meant more for himself than her.
"Nothing. I'm leaving, and you're going back to your girlfriend. Don't worry. I won't return to the fortress." Cameo's words chose that moment to invade her mind. You want him, you'll have to fight him.
I've already lost, she thought. Keeping her nose in the air, she pushed past him. Or tried to.
His arm snaked out, an unmovable blockade.
Automatically, she gripped that arm, her nails sinking deep in warning. But he closed his eyes and moaned in ecstasy. Her eyes began to close, too; she began to moan, just as ecstatic. Touching him always warmed her, and now was no different. The chill left her blood. Her nipples hardened and her stomach quivered. How can I still desire him?
Danika forced her arms to fall to her sides. She couldn't control the wild thump of her pulse, though. Couldn't stop the dark flood of regret washing through her. Fight him..."Who were you with? You came here to fuck, didn't you? Don't try to deny it. I've had boyfriends and know how you guys are. Well, who'd you pick?"
Reyes bared his teeth, resembling a feral animal as he leaned the rest of the way in to her. Their noses brushed and he snarled, "I do not want to hear about any boyfriends you've had. Understand?"
"The Darkest Pleasure"
"Y-yes." God, his anger...Exciting when it should have been frightening.
"And as to who I picked, are you sure you want to know?"
"Yes." This time, at least, she managed to sound somewhat confident.
"Why?"
Because I want to kill her for daring to put her hands on you. Because you're mine and I do not share. "Because," was all she said, her chin trembling. Damn it! Do not cry.
"I did come here to find a woman," he said.
Danika bit the inside of her cheek, blood filling her mouth.
"I found one," he added.
Motherfucker! The curse echoed through her mind, white-hot, searing. "I'm so glad," she gritted out. "I hope the two of you had a fun time." I hope she gave you an STD and you both die from it!
God, when had she become so bitter? So vindictive?
"Fun?" He laughed, but it was an ugly sound. "When I could not bring myself to touch her?"
"When you - what?" The hottest flames of her fury sizzled and crackled before finally dying. "You didn't?"
"No."
"Oh." Danika's shoulders slumped, and her eyes closed. Relief poured through her like -
"So I found another."
Her gaze snapped back up, locked on him. From relief and hope - hated hope - to fury. "And?"
"I could not bring myself to touch her, either. Both would have given me the beating I so desperately needed when I left the fortress. They were eager to tie me up and whip me. They would have hurt me, and we all would have loved it."
"Would have?" Her glare landed on his still-wounded neck. She arched a brow. "That's funny. Looks as if you already did."
He grabbed her arms and shook her hard enough to give her whiplash. "Would have. All I could think about was you. All I wanted was you. And they were not you, so I could not force myself to take them."
She licked her lips. "So you...did this to yourself?" Please. Please, please, please.
"No. When I first arrived, there were four Hunters in the club."
Now she gulped. Her fury, gone. Her hope, renewed. And yet, she had no relief. Not this time. He hadn't been with another woman, and that delighted her. But he had killed. Killed the very men she was supposed to be helping. "Were here? You keep saying that."
He nodded, grim.
"You fought them?" She didn't need to ask; she knew the answer, but perhaps she needed confirmation. Perhaps she needed time to halt the desire intensifying inside her. This man still belonged to her, wanted her as fiercely as she wanted him. "Who were they?" She hadn't meant to ask the question aloud, and gulped when she realized what she'd done. Had Stefano been among them?
Frowning, Reyes dug in his pocket, withdrew a stack of IDs, and handed them to Danika. She flipped through them with shaky hands. No Stefano. But the men looked like any other average Joes and it saddened her that they might have been hurt.
"They didn't see us until it was too late. William and I had already dragged them outside. We...took care of them." His anger seemed to melt from him. "I've battled, angel, and I'm hurting. I need you, and this time, I'm going to let myself have you. Will you let me?"
She'd already decided to be with him. If only to wipe him from her mind, get him out of her system and stop the fantasies plaguing her. If only to prove to herself that being with him would not be pleasurable for her.
"Will you? I'll go slow. I'll be tender. I'll be careful with you. I won't let my demon out. You won't have to hurt me."
He'd ticked off all the reasons she should give herself to him, as if he'd thought of every argument she could raise. "I - I - " She'd expected to stab him. That would have disgusted her. Wouldn't it have? Now, he wanted slow and tender? No pain? "What will you want me to do to you?" Would she be able to give him what he needed this way? Would he be able to forget her afterward?
"Love me, just for a little while."
She groaned quietly. What if, when the loving was over, she wanted more? Craved him more? Couldn't live without him? Slow and tender could only be bad for her, endearing him to her all the more.
"Why slow? Why tender?" she found herself asking.
"In the past, women have grown to...like what they do to me a little too much," he said. "They then begin to hurt those around them. I do not want that for you. I thought to take another today and ensure no harm would come to the woman. If she remained as she was, I would have been free to take you without worry. If she changed, I would have known to stay away from you. But I can't stay away from you."
Frightened, she slowly backed away from him. His arms fell to his sides, his expression tormented. She stopped, opening her mouth to say...what? She knew what she should say. No. They should wait until he needed pain again, because it was the best way to get him out of her fantasies. That she would never long to hurt someone. But she recalled the time - was it only a day ago? - that she had bitten him. She'd liked it.
You know what you're up against now. You're prepared.
"The Darkest Pleasure"
Already her nipples were hard, her limbs trembling. Moisture was pooling between her legs; warm flutters consumed her belly, stretching and awakening every cell, every organ.
"Tonight," she said. "Only tonight. Tomorrow..."
He released a breath she hadn't known he'd been holding. "Tomorrow you can hate me again."
