Addict (Hunter #2)(6)

“Not at all.” The demon flicked lint off his tailored coat. “He would be perfectly upset with me if he knew I was anywhere close to his one true love. Unfortunately, his one true love turned out to be a whore.”

I rolled my eyes. I wasn’t going to be offended because a demon called me names. It was in their job description. “Are you going to continue to insult me or get to the point?”

Was my espresso ready? I was starting to lag.

“You’re a tough one, aren’t you,” the demon purred, his lips curling upward. “You’re going to be fun. I like a challenge.” He pressed a piece of paper in my hand. “Here’s the address for a rather exclusive club downtown. I’ve made sure your name is on the list. Be there at two a.m. My brother needs you.”

The demon started to walk past me. I put out a hand to stop him.

“What’s wrong with Gray?” Even I could hear the tension in my voice. I was sure the demon could feel it.

He knew he had me. It was right there in the way his lips curled up in victory. “If you want to find out, come to the club. I’ll be waiting for you. And don’t you dare bring that vampire with you.”

The demon walked out the doors as the barista walked up with my food. I stood there holding it as the Porsche sped off. The door opened and my uncle walked in.

“Kelsey? What’s up?” He snagged the bag I was carrying. “Nice, I could use a sandwich.”

I gulped the espresso as I followed my uncle back to the limo. I watched as he wolfed down my sandwich. It didn’t matter. I’d lost my appetite.





Chapter Two



My appetite had come back with a righteous vengeance two hours later as I sat in the elegantly appointed private dining room in Ether. I’d only been to Dev Quinn’s notorious nightclub once before, but if he had his way I would be a permanent fixture. He probably saw me more as a member of the security team than a guest. I looked across the table and thought that Devinshea Quinn probably saw almost everyone as a potential employee.

“I hope your flight was good.” The prince was all smiles and cordiality. He was third in line for the Seelie sidhe throne, but the Fae were much more interested in the man for his status as a fertility god. “I certainly wish Marcus had allowed me to send my private jet for you. It would have been infinitely more comfortable for you and your boyfriend.”

“Marcus is an environmentalist, I’m afraid,” I murmured as a perfectly cooked steak was placed in front of me. It was a lovely bacon-wrapped filet the size of my fist, and there were two of them. I wondered if there were a couple more somewhere.

“Marcus is stubborn. I’m sure turning down my generous offer was his last insult. From now on when you fly you can use the jet. You’re Lee’s daughter and Zack’s niece. Like it or not, you’re a member of our family, and I want you to feel like one. Anything you need, you only have to ask for it.” Quinn was apparently playing good cop today. He was all charm, and when he wanted to pour it on he really could. When he focused on you, you felt like the only person in the world.

The steak melted in my mouth. Quinn was wrong about Marcus. He really was an environmentalist. He belonged to all sorts of green political groups and he always flew commercial. First class, of course, but commercial. He’d told me vampires should be concerned about the environment. They would have to live here for a really long time, but it didn’t surprise me that Quinn thought it was an insult.

My boyfriend and my boss did not get along.

“Did Zack get the paperwork done on your friend?” Quinn asked as though it was an everyday, ordinary occurrence for one to have to get Council approval on whom one slept with.

“I filled everything out. You have your paperwork, Mr. Quinn.”

He enjoyed his steak and the Chianti that paired with it. “I’m looking forward to getting to know this man. He must be special. Where did you meet?”

“A nightclub.” It had been Ether. Quinn had introduced us himself. I had been a large part of his “push Marcus out of town” plan. I was kind of looking forward to the moment when he realized it hadn’t worked. “He loves dancing.” Marcus did, though not hip-hop or anything modern. He’d been teaching me to tango, but it always got me so hot we ended up going at it on the floor. I thought of something else. “He’s also an excellent cook.”

For a man who hadn’t physically eaten food in millennia, he watched a lot of Food Network. When it became apparent our bonding was completely successful, he’d been thrilled. Marcus is a particular class of vampire called academics. They aren’t the physically strongest of vampires, but their mental powers are unmatched. They can bond with certain females on such a profound level that they can taste the food she eats. He’d promptly banned protein bars.

Quinn sat back, taking a drink from his wine glass. His lips turned up in an arrogant grin. “I’m happy you found someone. I’m surprised Marcus allowed you to date, but I’m happy if you’re happy. You’re practically glowing, so he’s doing something right. I think I was the one who told you this man was out there.”

I felt my lips curl up. “If I remember correctly, you told me Marcus Vorenus would be a good lover.”

Quinn’s eyes changed suddenly, flooding with that emerald green that signaled the emergence of the ancient fertility god who shared the faery’s body. I’d been told the god’s name was Bris and he had a completely different personality from his host.