The Darkest Pleasure (Lords of the Underworld #3)(27)
Author: Gena Showalter

Since they were soft T-shirts, sweaters and faded jeans like those she’d brought with her on her vacation, she suspected the latter and gulped. Why had he done this?

Does the answer really matter?

Gulping again, she gathered a shirt and a pair of pants. Didn’t dare glance at the underwear, just grabbed a bra and pair of panties amid the sea of colorful lace.

She rushed through a shower, the soap and shampoo reminding her of Reyes. Woodsy, sultry, enveloping her in a warm cocoon. He’s a demon. You can’t forget.

By the time a gentle knock sounded at the door, she was dressed in a gray tee, black sweater and stylishly ripped jeans, wet hair dripping down her back. Some of the dye had washed out, leaving her with a skunklike mane she did not want Reyes to see. Didn’t matter what he thought of her, she supposed. Vanity was not something she could afford.

She patted her ankles to make sure the daggers she’d removed from the wall and hidden there were anchored solidly. They were. "Come in," she called. She braced her feet apart, preparing for war if Reyes had changed his mind about taking her to see Aeron.

The door creaked open and a woman stepped inside, surprising her. She gasped, drawing a honey-colored gaze to her. A second later, the woman was rushing forward with a delighted smile. "Danika!"

"Ashlyn." Smiling, too, for the first time in what felt like forever, Danika spread her arms and welcomed the best memory she had of this place: her friendship with Ashlyn. Having both been held in this fortress against their will, they’d bonded quickly and for good.

They embraced, both sighing happily. Danika had known she’d missed her friend, but she hadn’t realized how much until now.

"I’ve thought about you every day," Ashlyn said, squeezing her tight. "What have you been doing with yourself? How are you?"

"Running. And honestly? I’ve been better. How are you?"

"Don’t hate me, but I’ve been doing wonderfully, if truth be told." Pulling back, the sweet woman looked her up and down. Her smile faded into a frown of concern. "You’ve lost weight you couldn’t afford to lose and there are circles under your eyes."

"And you look amazing. You’re glowing. The men really have been treating you well."

"Like a queen." Ashlyn paused, studied her again. "Is there anything I can get you? Anything you need?"

"A ticket home. My family. Reyes’s head on a platter. Other than that, no. Nothing."

Ashlyn’s smile returned, and this time it was laced with feminine knowledge. "Reyes isn’t so bad. He’s intense, but sweet."

She intertwined their fingers and led Danika to the bed. "Listen, I don’t want you worrying about anything while you’re here. Things are different now. It’s not an all-boys club anymore. Anya and Cameo moved in and are helping to keep the men in line. Have you met them? No? Well, you’ll like them when you do. Together we’ll find a way to save your family, I have no doubt about that. And the guys will help. They have hearts of gold, once you get to know them."

"The Darkest Pleasure"

"I hate to break this to you, Ash, but they’re demons. Real, honest-to-God demons from hell."

"Yes. I know."

Danika gaped at her, unsure she’d heard correctly. "You know? And you’re staying with them anyway? Of your own free will?"

"Yes." Ashlyn looked at her through the thick shield of her lashes. "In fact, say hello to the next generation of demon. Maddox and I are having a baby." Practically purring with contentment, she rubbed her slightly bulging belly. "I can’t wait!"

"Oh, Ash. Congratulations." Danika was genuinely happy for her friend, and wanted only the best for her. "You’re sure Maddox will…"

"He’ll be an amazing father," Ashlyn said confidently.

If I don’t help bring him down. She closed her eyes against the new complication. Hurting Maddox would hurt Ashlyn, one of the sweetest people she’d ever met. And what about the baby? What would Hunters do to the innocent child of a demon?

"What’s wrong? The color in your cheeks is fading."

"Headache," she lied, rubbing her temples.

"Oh, you poor thing. You’ve been through a lot these past few months. This, however, I can fix. You once flew into town to get me some Tylenol, and now I get to do the same for you." Ashlyn gave her another tight squeeze. "Actually, there’s some in the kitchen – Maddox stocks it by the truckload these days just in case – so I’ll be right back."

The bed bounced and footsteps sounded. Hinges squeaked. I’m in deep. So deep. Destroying Ashlyn’s life was not a possibility she’d considered, and the thought of doing so sickened her.

But Danika had no opportunity to think of a way to meet her objective and prevent Ashlyn’s downfall. The bedroom door swung open a second time, slapping into the wall. Her eyelids pried apart as a warrior she didn’t recognize stepped inside the bedroom. He was tall and muscled like all the others. Yet while they had appeared harsh, savage, he had an all-American face, square jaw and puppy-dog brown eyes.

She jumped to her feet, wet hair dripping down her arms. "Who are you? What do you want? Where’s Reyes?"

"I’m Sabin," he said, and she’d never heard a more cocky man. He punted the door shut behind him but didn’t move any closer to her. "I came to ask you some questions. And I don’t have any clue where Reyes is."

"Well, you can leave." Her fingers itched to grab one of the daggers. Steady, hold your ground. No reason to reveal her secret. Not yet. You’ve been trained. You know what to do if he attacks: go for the throat, eyes and groin. In that order.

Rather than leave, Sabin pressed his back against the door and folded his massive arms over his middle. He was a handsome man, in a rough sort of way. Women probably melted for him. She’d rather cut out his heart. "You’re one of them."

He stepped toward her, caught himself and backed off. Why? "One of who?"

She was surprised by his calmness. His gaze was sharp enough to slice her in half. "The demons."

"Did Reyes tell you we were demons?"

"Yes."

Dark eyes gleamed with menace. "I doubt he’d be such a naughty boy. Want to know what I think? You recently spent some time with Hunters. I bet they told you."

"So?"

"So. Interesting that you don’t have to ask me who and what the Hunters are, or what their purpose is."

Damn it! She raised her chin all the higher. "Again, Reyes told me." And he told you never to repeat what he’d said. Grr! I will not feel guilty for ratting him out to his friend. And this demon will not make me feel guilty for having been kidnapped by Hunters.