“I’m Lucy. I’m just passing through town and heard this was the place to go if I wanted to find a little fun, if you know what I mean. Looks like you’ve already found yours for the night. Pity.” I fluttered my lashes at him, and his eyes flashed red.
He grinned seductively. “Well, I’m Dante, and this one is a regular. She’s here every time I visit.” He gestured to the nearly unconscious woman who was now swaying side to side. “Let me take her back, and I’ll make sure your time in LA is not only fun, but pleasurable.”
Shit, he was actually very good at what he did. My skin heated from his continued accent I was beginning to think originated from Italy, and I was becoming curious as to what kind of pleasure he might be able to elicit from me. No longer did I wonder why the witches wanted him alive.
If Dante was as powerful as I sensed, then he’d already be well aware of what I was. The fact that he thought I was just passing through was likely what lured him in, but little did he know, he was in for the surprise of his life.
I sent off a text to Neva, letting her know to come check on the girl as soon as we walked away. I despised collateral damage and wasn’t sure what kind of vampire magic Dante was capable of. Plus, I didn’t need the Supernatural Council putting their noses in my business if something happened to a human while I’d been around.
The council consisted of ten supernaturals from varying races, but mostly witches, vampires, and shifters. Their members changed every year and their identities were usually kept secret for their safety. They used supernatural hunters to investigate reports and dole out punishment, but I’d heard on rare occasions they’ve shown up in smaller groups to do it themselves when the situations were too sensitive to entrust to just anyone. Oh, what I would have given to watch that show.
Just as I tucked my phone into my back pocket, the bloodsucker appeared at my side. “Your place or mine?”
His dark eyes took another long moment to drink me in before I answered. “How about my hotel down the road? I drove here, and my car is in the back.”
He smiled, fangs on full display, but I managed to hold in my cringe. In no way was I letting those things get near my skin. I was no vamp tramp.
Some supernaturals enjoyed the thrill of letting a bloodsucker drink from them, but it had never been my brand of adventure.
“You got it, gorgeous.” He tugged me closer and took a deep inhale of my hair. “We don’t see fae around here much. Trouble in paradise?”
I shook my head and grinned. “Just on holiday.”
That bit of information excited him further, and I was worried the job would be too easy to satisfy the darkness within me. I’d been hoping for a challenge, yet Dante appeared to be putty in my hands. It was convenient but disappointing, considering how slow business had been.
As we moved through the back of the club, crowds parted just enough for us to walk through without bumping into everyone we passed. The natural predator vibe that exuded from Dante actually came in handy.
He held the door open to the alleyway that led to the back lot where the cars were parked, but I wouldn’t be taking him in that direction. Instead, I pretended to stumble on the cobblestone alley and blushed before righting myself. “That bartender sure knows how to make a drink. Let me just text my friend that I’m leaving before you drive us.”
Dante sauntered closer, his hands reaching for me, but I moved a few steps back until my screen was out of his view, and asked Neva to make sure Beatrix was ready for her toy after Neva had finished with the human. Since the elf had wanted to come along, I wanted her to feel helpful instead of just sitting inside until I was done.
I didn’t wait for her reply as I slipped the phone away and gazed at Dante through hooded eyes. “I don’t think I can wait until we get back to my room.”
Drawing my magic forward, I reached out and tugged on the collar of his crisp white dress shirt. He didn’t resist, so I took charge and pushed him against the brick wall of the alley. We were just beyond a wall of wooden pallets, mostly out of view from anyone else who might be leaving.
“Vixen,” he hissed. “I had a feeling you were going to be a challenge.” Using his speed, he changed our positions and my exposed shoulder blades dug into the rough surface, but I didn’t let the bite of stone deter me.
“There’s nothing interesting about life when it’s not challenging, don’t you agree?” I asked before letting him press his lips to my neck while I sank my fingers into his russet hair and released my wings. My rough hold had him growling against my skin, and the pheromones of pulsing desire he was releasing were almost enough to distract me.
Almost, but not quite.
He finally noticed my wings and paused. “You like the risk of being out here where anyone could find us, don’t you? It turns you on almost as much as I do.” He took another inhale. “Your arousal is the most sensual thing I’ve tasted in the air tonight.”
Well, enough with that.
The vampire was more powerful than I’d given him credit for, and I couldn’t deny he was affecting me. I needed to remember why I was there before I broke my commitment to Beatrix and let the vampire have his way with me. Something I was certain to regret in the morning.
“How about we move this along? Less words, more action,” I suggested while hardening my wings and preparing to end my façade.
Only, someone else had entered the alley, and if they came any closer, they would find out what happened when they screwed with my agenda.
Chapter 3
Thankfully, the newcomer didn’t step any closer, remaining in the shadows, and his presence didn’t distract me enough to get in the way of the task at hand. Though, it was close. Whoever lurked behind the wooden crates was fae and likely from Fae Islands. Very few of us left our so-called perfect realm permanently, and I’d need to figure out his motives. Though, before I could, I focused back on the vampire who currently had his tongue running along my neck.
“Watch the fangs,” I murmured, then positioned myself to the side before deciding my first move.
Not for another second could I underestimate Dante. There was a reason Beatrix asked me to take care of this particular problem for her, and I wouldn’t soon forget that, even if I wasn’t aware of the exact purpose.
“Ahh, but my fangs are the second-best part of me,” he cooed. I ignored him, along with the desires he’d managed to induce within me.
The fae stranger inched closer, so before I had two opponents to deal with, I had to make my move on Dante.
My fingers gripped the bloodsucker’s hair. He merely thought I was being rough again until I yanked his head back and slammed it into the bricks behind us.
“What the hell?” His fangs extended fully, and his previously mysterious eyes bled through with crimson.
Ignoring his outburst, I pooled magic in my palm and flung it toward his chest while he was still against the wall. Just a little something to keep him immobile until Beatrix showed up to claim her vampire, as long as she made it soon. Though, a part of me preferred she didn’t. Toying with him for a while didn’t sound like the worst idea.
But Dante was faster than I’d given him credit for. My magic hadn’t reached him before he whirled around me in the blink of an eye. Before I could turn around, his foot slammed into my back, right between my wings, causing them to buckle and wrap around me, throwing my weight off balance.