Hunt the Darkness (Guardians of Eternity #11)(31)

Bliss had once worked for Viper in his Chicago club, and the lethal predator had proven a talent for creating an atmosphere that had demons flocking to enjoy the entertainments. She’d also revealed an innate cunning that Viper was swift to appreciate.

He’d given her a small fortune and told her to create a fantasy.

An order she had more than fulfilled.

Crossing the marble floor, Bliss allowed a smile to curl her lips.

“Hello, gorgeous,” she murmured, her low voice an invitation to sex as she slid her cold gaze toward Sally. “Did you want your dinner cleaned and put in costume? She would make a pretty enough slave girl.”

Sally stiffened, outrage overcoming her fear. “Slave girl?”

He placed an arm around her. Not only from the need to publicly claim her as his property, but to keep her from doing something impulsive.

His mate was just crazy enough to launch a spell that would wreak havoc and end up getting them both killed.

“We aren’t here for the entertainment,” he informed Bliss, not surprised when she strolled forward to run a crimson-painted nail down the leather of his jacket.

He’d crossed paths with the beautiful vampire several years ago and she’d made it clear she wouldn’t say no to some up close and personal attention.

“Are you sure?” She parted her lips to expose her extended fangs. “I do private shows for very special customers.”

He grasped her fingers that had roamed beneath his jacket, his expression hard with warning.

“I need a private room and a human dinner,” he commanded, glancing toward Sally who was staring at the far wall with a fierce pretense of indifference. “With apple pie.”

Bliss scowled, not pleased at being rebuffed.

It didn’t happen often.

Probably never.

“I have no idea if we have apple pie or not.”

He allowed his power to rattle the priceless marble statues set in shallow alcoves.

“Order out.”

Realizing he wasn’t playing, Bliss went from offended female to gracious hostess.

“Your wish is our command.” Turning with a fluid grace, she headed toward a pair of fluted columns that opened into a hallway. “This way.”

“Has Cyn arrived?” he demanded, his arm remaining around Sally’s rigid shoulders as he urged her to follow Bliss’s brisk pace.

“Yes, he’s enjoying the baths.”

Roke rolled his eyes. Typical. Cyn was a born hedonist who indulged his varied passions whenever the opportunity presented itself.

He would have to fetch the vampire and bring him to Sally, even if it did mean leaving her alone.

There was no way in hell he was exposing her to the sight of dozens of vampires lost in their bloodlust.

Pushing open a door, Bliss stood aside to wave them into the room that reflected the theme of a Greek villa. A circular space, it had an abundance of marble with fluted columns and a domed ceiling that was painted with a half-naked Pandora opening her box to release chaos.

Thankfully, the stark room was furnished with several white sofas circling a crackling fire that burned in a pit in the center of the marble floor.

Sally should be comfortable enough while he went in search of Cyn.

Turning toward the female vampire who hovered near the door, he allowed her to glimpse the predator inside him that would destroy anyone or anything that threatened his mate.

“This woman is under my protection. I would be very displeased if anything were to happen under your watch.”

“She’ll be safe,” Bliss promised, sliding a cunning glance toward the pale-faced Sally before returning her attention to him. “You, however, might get a little roughed up before I’m done with you.”

The husky promise was still floating in the air as Bliss closed the door, leaving him alone with a female who had already threatened to turn him into something nasty.

Slowly turning, he met her icy glare.

“A friend of yours?” she demanded in overly sweet tones.

“No,” he denied without hesitation.

He wouldn’t play games, not with this.

“She acts like she knows you very well.”

He shrugged. “Our paths crossed several decades ago. I wasn’t interested then, and I’m not interested now.”

She glanced down at the music box clutched tightly in her hands. “She’s very beautiful.”

He stepped forward, his fingers cupping her chin to tilt back her head. His brooding gaze swept over her fragile features, lingering with regret on her guarded expression. She wouldn’t soon forgive or forget his rejection.

“But she’s not you.”

Her eyes darkened. “I would think that was a big fat bonus.”

“Never.” His thumb brushed her lower lip. “I want you. No one else.”

She frowned in understandable confusion.

Shit.

He was worse than an angsty teenage girl.

Logic told him to keep her at a distance, but his instincts refused to obey. He was desperate to pull her into his arms and offer her the comfort she needed.

“Roke—”

“You’ll be protected here,” he interrupted. One disaster at a time. “Bliss might be a pain in the ass, but she wouldn’t be in charge of Viper’s club unless she was one hundred percent loyal to him.”