I’d assumed she was only exacting justice for a wrong done to a fellow female, not to avenge something done to her.
Dammit, Danika.
I should have known she wouldn’t limit her activities to hacking, something safe and behind a computer. Someplace where I wouldn’t have to get involved and could protect her from afar.
When the Little Rabbit had come on the scene, I’d known her identity immediately. It wasn’t just the name, something I’d given her. It had been the causes she’d picked, the people she’d gone after. Danika had a need to destroy everyone who hurt the vulnerable. Always had.
This was just fucking great.
I felt the back of my neck prickle with anger. “Why didn’t anyone tell me it was Danika?”
“Mr. Samir, sir. He has a strict rule—if one of the Kings handles the situation, then consider it handled.”
Another brother to punch in the face. He deserved it more than Rey. Danika was his actual blood, his baby cousin.
“Are they on the floor now?”
“Yes.”
I stood and moved in the direction of the one-way glass disguised as a large oversized antique mirror in the gaming room. Amir followed close behind me.
I had a clear view of the VIP section. Devani Patel sat at a table with Connor Danberry and a group of other men and women. There was one empty seat near Connor I could assume was left open for me. Devani was dressed to the nines as usual in some designer gown that probably came straight off the runway. Devani was a dangerous player. Other players never saw the cunning and deadly creature underneath because they were so enthralled by the package. She was one woman I’d always want on my good side.
Shifting my gaze, I tried to get a better look at Danika with no luck. She was blocked by a man speaking to someone at an adjacent table. All I could see was a heavily jeweled wrist, a bracelet I was very familiar with, comprised of diamonds and sapphires so dark they almost looked black. Immediately, I had the feeling I was about to get a surprise when she finally came into view.
And that was a complete understatement as the man shifted.
God, she was fucking gorgeous. Her lips were painted a deep rich burgundy, her eyes were smoky, and her hair cascaded in long, wild curls down her back. The dress she wore screamed confidence and clung to the incredible body I’d spent more nights fantasizing about than I wanted to admit.
This wasn’t the pampered princess from the other night, but a seductress in her element and in the middle of holding court with a group of underworld bosses with ties to international syndicates.
Amir cocked his head to the side as he studied the group. “Do you think she has something concealed on her tonight? Though she is covered in that long-sleeve gown, it is pretty form-fitting to hide anything.”
For a split second, I had the urge to knock his head against the wall for staring at her body in that way. Then I got myself together.
It was his job.
Weapons were forbidden on the premises and everyone went through metal detectors before they went into the club. The fact Danika was able to get anything through my security even once said she had skill beyond the average player. Amir’s question was valid.
“I’d say she’s been carrying something every time she’s been here. And I’d bet Devani is as well.”
I had no doubt Danika’s weapon was hanging from the long collection of gold chains she had around her neck that dipped down her very low neckline and hugged her full breasts.
My body stirred, knowing the innocent Danika wasn’t so innocent. Maybe she wasn’t so untouchable as I’d made her out to be. That meant going after her wouldn’t be as forbidden as Kir and everyone liked to tell me it was.
“The ladies are cleaning up.”
From the look of it, Danika was the one cleaning up with the bulk of the chips loaded in front of her. A large man I recognized from my younger years stood behind her, watching every move everyone made, as did other security sprinkled around the other players at the table.
Danika threw chips into the center of the table and two players folded, leaving the two friends in the game. Danika said something to Devani that caused everyone to laugh and Devani raised the stakes. The women held each other’s gazes, neither giving anything away.
No one spoke a word as they set their cards down, face up. Noise erupted around them.
Devani mouthed, “Bitch.”
Danika shrugged.
“That’s my cue to join.” I glanced behind me. “Clear out of here. Before you go, set up a game and then lock all outside access.”
“Done.”
I moved toward a different set of doors leading into a group of hallways that opened to the bar area of the gaming room.
“Welcome back, Mr. King,” the bartender, James, said when I came into view. “Your usual?”
“Yes.” I turned my attention toward the tables and my gaze locked with Danika’s.
Shock, then something else filled her deep hazel gaze.
She moved in my direction, with smooth, calm, and calculated steps. That damn dress should have been illegal. The fact it was long sleeved only accentuated how low the neckline dipped. If it wasn’t for the strategically placed jewelry, the inner curves of her beautiful breasts would be completely on display.
Damn, this woman had me thinking thoughts I had no right to. She wasn’t mine. Besides, I wasn’t a possessive man.
Hell, with any other woman the rules were clear.
No attachments. No expectations. No future.
But then again, no other woman was Danika Dayal.
“Hello, Nik. I wasn’t expecting to see you here.” Danika set her clutch on the bar and leaned her elbow next to it as she looked up at me.
Though I towered over her in height, there wasn’t an ounce of the uncertainty I’d sensed in her only a few nights earlier. The woman before me wouldn’t be intimidated.
Which, of the two, was the real Danika? Or were both an act? I planned to find out the answer.
To hell with what Kiran had said. She’d walked into my world and that meant she was now fair game.
From what I’d learned tonight, she spent a lot of time gliding between polite society and the darker depths of the jungle.
“Are you sure about that? There is an empty seat at the table Connor reserved for me.”
“There are always rumors of who will show up. I believe things when I see them. Since you are here, I have a business proposition for you.” She shifted, reaching over the counter to take an olive from the martini James set in front of her and revealing a slight glimpse of a gold and black design that could only be a tattoo on her shoulder.
She followed the direction of my eyes and straightened, as if I’d caught onto something she wanted to keep hidden.
I touched her shoulder, now covered by her black gown. “I wouldn’t think the Shah princess would cover her body in ink.”
“I’m not a Shah.” Fire flashed in her gaze as she brushed my fingers away and just as fast, I caught her wrist.
“That’s right. You’re a Dayal, playing in a den full of predators. What are you doing here, Danika?”
“Let me go, Nik.” Her pulse jumped under my hold and her eyes dashed to my lips, and instead of wanting answers, I had visions of dragging her to my office and pushing her up against a wall to get my fill of that luscious mouth.