The Darkest Pleasure (Lords of the Underworld #3)(55)
Author: Gena Showalter

"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.