Mafia Beasts: The Complete Series, page 33
Sure enough, Zane walked us right up to the gatekeepers, and they nodded us through. Protests sounded from the crowd nearest the door. I curiously took a longer look at them.
Zane said, “Humans. They won’t be getting in. I told my manager it would be only our kind in here tonight so we could do as we please.” He guided me through the entrance and into the club space. Music with a thick, pulsing beat, blared. The dimly lit place was already packed.
“My lords,” called a voice over the thumping base. A woman in a tight, low-cut cocktail dress appeared before us. “Your table is ready. Please follow me.”
As we strode through the crowd, many heads turned to watch us. People on the upper balcony leaned close to the railing and peered down. My skin prickled with the sensation of so many eyes on me. It made sense that the supernaturals who frequented this club would know who the bosses were. No doubt they’d be curious about Zane’s new arm candy too.
A feminine voice from the balcony reached my on-again, off-again sensitive wolf ears. “Do you think she’s fucking all of them?”
Another answered, “The vamp and wolf, definitely. They’re hot. But you couldn’t pay me to touch the scar-faced one. He’s so messed up, just look at him.”
“Girl, agreed. Who beat him with the ugly stick?” The third giggled.
I turned in time to see Cade’s frown deepen as his gaze lowered to the floor. Without missing a beat, I snatched my wand out of my bag and flicked it toward the three vampire girls. The spell slapped them across their cheeks—harmless, right?
They gasped and shrieked. Three angry pairs of silver eyes caught mine, and I shot them a haughty grin. Bitches.
We were seated in a partially curtained semi-circular booth. Zane had me slide in first. Lucas joined me in the middle with Zane and Cade on the two outsides.
The Fae glanced from me to the furious, but wide-eyed vampire girls in the balcony, and back again. His scowl came out full force. When he lifted a brow, I just shrugged. What I really wanted to say was I’m not going to have some dumb bitches insulting you behind your back. They didn’t know anything about Cade. Who were they to judge?
The hostess took our drink order and left. I glanced through the open section of the curtain, nervously searching for any familiar faces. Drawing attention to myself in this crowd had not been the smartest idea. I just couldn’t help it.
“Relax, sweetness,” Zane said, skimming his knuckles across my jaw. “Everyone was checked at the door. We’ve taken extra precautions tonight. Try to have a good time.”
I nodded. Even so, instead of placing my wand back in my purse, I slipped it down the inside of my boot. Now it was within easy reach if anything happened.
Our drinks arrived along with about a dozen dishes that filled the table. Two servers set plates and silverware for all of us, then let us be. I glanced at Zane in question because I didn’t remember him ordering any food.
“I wanted to try the menu,” he said. “It’s been a while since I’ve been here and tasted this establishment’s offerings.”
“I see.” My mouth watered as I took in the mini burgers, salmon cakes, stuffed mushrooms, and other gourmet foods. Lucas was already piling a bit of everything on a plate. He set it down in front of me and started filling one for himself. “You expect me to eat all of this?” I asked.
“You better because then you’re going to dance off every single calorie with me later.”
“Oh really?” I bit into a salmon cake and moaned; it was so good.
“Really,” Lucas said before shoving a petite burger in his mouth.
I reached for a bacon wrapped date, but Zane caught my hand. “Allow me,” he said. He picked up the piece and hovered it in front of my lips until I opened my mouth and took a bite. “Good girl,” he murmured, his eyes shining with pleasure.
His praise shot an unexpected tingle down my spine. I loved it when he took control and treated me this way. When his attention was fully on me, I could feel myself glowing from the inside out.
Lucas’s palm landed on my thigh as he continued to eat. I rested my unneeded hands on both of them—one on my wolf and the other on my vampire. With a contented sigh, feeling the connection between the three of us, I let Zane continue to feed me from my plate. Cade pretended to ignore us, as usual.
Once I was stuffed and had a couple of drinks, Lucas tugged me from the booth and onto the dance floor.
I groaned. “I’m too full to dance.”
“Moving around will be good for you then.” He started to move, grinding all over me and I went with it.
It did feel good. I hadn’t been dancing since college and, honestly, I’d forgotten how much I loved it. A few minutes in, I ditched my leather jacket and showed Lucas some of the moves I hadn’t used in years. He kept up fine. The wolf was sinfully droolworthy.
We danced together for several songs, alternating between sexily serious and laughing at each other. Bodies crushed around us, but no one got too close. I felt the gazes of the Penumbra guards from the shadows as they kept tabs on us.
The song ended and Lucas swept in for a kiss. The heat between us was scorching. His wild, musky scent swam through my head.
He slowly eased away. “Thanks, baby.” Lucas took a step back and my brow creased until I felt Zane’s arm wrap around my waist.
He spun me to face him just as the next song started playing. What the—? It wasn’t club music. Zane placed my hand on his shoulder and the other he took in his, then he started to move his feet.
I panicked at—what was this, a waltz? “I don’t know how to dance like this.”
“From what I’ve seen, you’re a quick learner. Besides, all you have to do is give in and follow my lead.” He nipped at my ear.
I did as he said, let him take the lead, and before long we were gliding around the floor. My feet understood the beat before my brain fully registered it. Several other couples had joined in, all seeming to know the steps, too.
Gradually I relaxed, letting go of feeling silly ballroom dancing in a clubbing outfit. Zane’s pitch-black orbs demanded my full attention. I could stare into their depths forever.
“I want more with you, Emma.” He rarely used my actual name unless the topic was serious.
“What do you mean?”
He positioned our bodies closer. “I want more than chess games and tying you up when the mood strikes. I want to make you happy.”
“Those things do make me happy.” I grinned.
He snorted. “Only because you’ve had to live a simple life up to this point—against your will. No, sweetness, I want to give you the world. Not just money—” he cut himself off with a frustrated noise. “I screwed this up last time and I don’t want to do that again.”
I searched his face. He was talking about the time in the library right before I’d decided to leave him—them. He’d offered me everything money could buy, but it wasn’t what I wanted from him. Even now, I wanted more.
I couldn’t stand the feeling that I was being bought.
“What do you desire, Emma? All of our curses and enemies aside?”
I blew out a slow breath. That was a damn good question. Samuel had asked me if I’d stay if things were different, and I wasn’t being hunted, and didn’t need Penumbra, and I’d said yes. Why? Because this was the first time I really felt like I belonged.
Zane made me feel seen. All of me, the true me, parts of me that I didn’t know existed before meeting him. If I were to leave him, I’d miss the way he looked at me with knowing, his possessive touch, the way I felt alive around him. His cleverness matched my own, and I didn’t feel like I had to downplay my curiosity or intellect. He wanted all of that and I wanted to give it to him.
But what did I want? Deep down?
“I want you,” I blurted. “All of you. Your secrets, your desires, everything you hide away under that mask.”
“Careful what you ask for.” His black eyes flashed silver. “When you first came to us, I promised myself you’d get all of me—all the ugliness too.”
“What happened?”
“I couldn’t do it. I don’t know why but I want to protect you from the darker parts of myself. I slipped up when I brought you to the dungeon. I don’t regret that, but it was only a glimpse. My burdens are mine to bear alone.”
I swallowed hard. “They don’t have to be. I want you to show me.”
It was his turn to study me. I hoped he saw my sincerity. I wanted more than a glimpse—I wanted it all, as far as he could take it.
His jaw clenched and his grip firmed. “My desire is to blood bond you, tie you to my bed, and never let you out of my sight. I want you on my arm in public. I want you beside me as I run Penumbra—as an equal. I want you to rise to your full glory and let me bask in your light, in your darkness, and in your blood.”
I stared up at him. What could a girl say in response to that? Did I want the same? A shiver raced through me at the truth.
“Yes,” I said, my voice barely a whisper, but he heard me.
His eyes flashed again. The music ended, and he bowed, planting a kiss on the back of my hand. “As you wish.”
My stomach fluttered as he straightened. After tonight, things would be different between us. I just knew. It was a step forward that I’d been waiting for, for him to open up, but never expected it to happen.
Palm searing down my spine, Zane walked us to the table. The club returned to thumping music and dancers flooded the floor. Cade caught my gaze, then quickly looked away. Perhaps another step forward could come out of tonight. I had no doubt this one would be much more difficult. Inwardly, I shrugged, then steeled myself for what I was about to do.
Coy wasn’t really Cade’s thing, so I decided to be straight forward. I pressed my palms flat on the table and leaned toward him. “Let’s dance, big guy.”
His gaze wandered to Lucas, then Zane. Realizing I wasn’t talking to either of them, his stormy eyes found mine. He rumbled, “I can’t dance.”
“Can’t, or won’t?” I wasn’t giving up that easily.
“Doesn’t fucking matter. I’m not taking a pity dance from you.”
I leaned closer. “Oh, this isn’t a pity dance, just like that kiss wasn’t out of pity either and you damn well know it.”
Lucas choked on his beer. Zane’s lips twitched, but I ignored them both as I watched Cade scowl. He hadn’t even told his friends I’d kissed him. Great. I stopped myself from rolling my eyes.
“Look,” I said. “I want to dance with you. I won’t touch you, I promise. Just come out on the floor with me.” When he didn’t respond I added, “Please.”
He stood so suddenly that I almost lost my balance. With a glare, he breezed past me to the dance floor. I tried to suppress the triumphant feeling growing in my chest, but I was pretty sure he’d already felt it.
I followed him. The other dancers gave him a wide berth but continued minding their own business. One song faded into another, and we both started to dance.
Holy fuck. The huge Fae had moves, that was for sure. He was in perfect time with the beat, probably because he was a musician. His muscles bulged and stretched under his T-shirt as he moved, and jeans had never looked so good on a guy.
I stared, my body faltering, while trying to close my jaw. His grey gaze latched on to me, and he came closer, keeping eye contact the whole time. His body heat pressed against me.
“This is only because you wouldn’t take no for an answer, stubborn little witch.” His hand darted out, his fingers twinning in my hair. He pulled me into a kiss.
The world seemed to fall away around us. The music muted. All I could feel was his mouth on mine, that completely unexpected taste of apricot mingling with his leather-and-whiskey scent. He was so delicious I wanted to kiss him for hours.
He tore his lips away, but his hold on my hair tightened. He turned me around and we marched to a side door. The cold, damp winter air hit my face. Then freezing concrete chilled my back as Cade pushed me up against the building. We were in an alley, partially hidden in the shadows.
“You like kissing monsters?” he asked, his gaze intense.
I kept my arms at my sides because touching him seemed to set him off. My eyes watered and my scalp stung from his grip. “You like hurting women.” I said it as a fact.
He flinched. That had hit a nerve. “And you’re not afraid.”
“Of you? No, Cade, I’m not. You won’t hurt me, not really.” Both instinct and experience told me that was true. He’d had his hands around my neck before and could have really hurt me, but he never did. He’d healed me on numerous occasions, protected and rescued me. He wasn’t my enemy. I hoped one day he’d realize that I wasn’t his enemy either.
“If you honestly believe that, then you’re fucking naïve.” He tilted my head back further. “Why don’t you ever fight back against me?”
“Because I don’t want to hurt you.”
He scoffed. “You couldn’t hurt me if you tried. But I could snap your neck right now.”
“But you won’t.” I stared him in the eyes. “You won’t,” I repeated.
His fingers curled around my throat. I closed my eyes and relaxed into his hold. He squeezed, gradually increasing the pressure. A sigh escaped from my lips as I gave myself over to him.
“That turns you the fuck on, doesn’t it?” He didn’t need to ask. I knew he could feel my excitement, my release of control, and how that made my panties wet. “Fuck me,” he swore.
“Why do you want to hurt me, Cade?”
He stiffened as if holding his breath. In the quieter outside air, I thought I heard him swallow. I peeked through my lashes. He exhaled a ragged breath and opened his mouth.
My anticipation grew as his jaw closed then opened again. Was he finally going to give me an answer?
The door beside us burst open, and we both startled. Lucas took one glance at Cade strangling me and growled. That was the only warning the Fae had before Lucas charged him and they both tumbled to the filthy, wet ground.
Freed, I drew in gasping breaths. I was trying to get enough air in my lungs to shout at them to stop fighting.
Zane appeared at my side, his brow pinched. “Did he hurt you?”
“No,” I said in a rough voice.
He frowned. “I’ll take your word for it. Come. We’re going home.”
“Not yet.” I pulled my wand from my boot and advanced on Lucas and Cade. “Hey! That’s enough!”
They continued trading blows, neither one listening. I flicked my wrist. The spell exploded between them, driving them apart, and they staggered backward. Lucas recovered first. He started toward Cade again and I trained my wand on him.
“If you take one more step, you’ll regret it,” I said, my tone dead serious.
His growl died in his throat as he looked at me. “But—”
“No buts. Now both of you, get in the car. We’re going home.”
Lucas’s brow furrowed. He shook his head, then strode over to where Zane waited.
I put my wand away and tentatively approached Cade. His gaze trailed after Lucas. I cleared my throat to get his attention.
“Are you all right?”
“Fine,” he said. “I can handle that overprotective bastard on my own.”
“But you shouldn’t have to, and I don’t want you to.” I reached out, barely touching his arm. “Come on.”
His thunderous gaze trapped mine. My breath seized as I waited for him to react to the gentle contact. The storm in his grey eyes subsided, calmed.
Without a word, we started toward the mouth of the alley walking side by side.
21
EMMA
“I need to speak with you all. Right now,” I said, grabbing my purse and getting out of the car.
“Give it until the morning—” Zane started.
“Tonight. We need to clear up some things.” Without waiting for another response, I headed into the mansion and up to the third floor. Zane quickly caught up with me. Lucas and Cade’s heavy footfalls echoed behind us.
“Very well. We can talk in here.” He took my arm and headed in the opposite direction of our bedrooms. We strode to the other wing of the house and along the darkened corridor to the room I’d been in only once.
Opposite the entrance, stood the glass doors that opened onto a balcony. In front of them was a small sitting area with three chairs and in the middle, stood a round table. The double heart-shaped hourglass gave off an eerie crimson glow bright enough to illuminate the space.
I side-eyed Zane. He was letting me into their inner sanctum. His words this evening had been more than pretty promises. He meant them.
He pulled a stool next to one chair and sat down, motioning for me to take his usual seat. I shook my head. I’d prefer to stand for what was to come.
The vampire studied me. I could feel his gaze take in every fidget, every sigh. He remained mute, which was good because I wasn’t diving into any of what was on my mind until the other two came in here. Nevertheless, I was sure he could see the annoyance on my face.
Cade waltzed in through the door first and shot Zane a what the fuck look before glancing at me. Lucas followed, closing the door behind him.
“You two can sit down,” I said, standing with my arms folded. “We need to get some things sorted out.”
Hesitantly, they both sat. I noted the fading bruises on their faces and dirty, torn clothing. Three sets of eyes turned up to me and waited.
“You three attacking each other is not going to work for me. Believe it or not, I can handle myself with each of you.” I shot Cade a pointed look. “Whether any one of you happen upon me with another—being bitten, spanked, or strangled—you leave us alone. I’m exactly where I want to be, who I want to be with, and doing what I like.”
Lucas snarled, “You didn’t look like you were enjoying Cade’s hands around your neck.”
“I had the situation under control.”
To my surprise, Lucas didn’t push. He frowned but gave me a nod.
