My gaze finds her boy-toy before I look at her again. “That guy isn’t even old enough to drink yet.” Rolling my eyes, I can’t help but laugh when she giggles playfully.
“Oh come on, like you are? Also, I was having fun. His older brother is a hottie, so I did have a plan,” she tells me conspiratorially. I sip my drink, allowing my gaze to rove the room, taking in the faces of the men and women who are all draped in designer clothes and exquisite jewels. Aelin’s hand lands on my arm, her fingers wrapping around my wrist before she whisper-hisses, “Who is that?”
“Who?” I turn to where she’s staring to be met with a man who looks like he’s just stepped off the film set of some rough motorcycle club movie. He doesn’t look like he fits in here with his leather jacket and black tee. His boots are dusty, his jeans fit too tight, hugging muscled thighs as he saunters deeper into the room. His midnight-black hair reminds me of my best friend’s, and his tanned skin speaks of someone who’s been outdoors in the full sun all day, every day.
Dangerous. That’s the word to describe him.
“Now that is a man,” Aelin murmurs more to herself than to me because I can’t drag my gaze away. Menace emanates from him as if he were wearing it like a cologne. But then he makes a beeline for my father, which has my mouth dropping open in shock. The two men seem to know each other, but Dad pales when his gaze lands on the stranger. “Uhm…” My best friend’s voice filters into nothing when my father disappears with said stranger into the hallway, talking heatedly as they go.
“Uhm, is right,” I tell her, my attention now torn between catching up with Aelin or following Dad to find out what’s going on. My gaze snaps back to where my mother seems completely oblivious to everything as she laughs and flirts with someone in a suit who looks like he’s got one foot in the grave.
The emcee announces that dinner will soon be served and requests everyone to take their seats. All the while through dinner, Dad’s face is a picture of pure dread. I lean over and whisper in his ear, “Are you okay?”
He chuckles. “Of course I am.” The fake smile is back, lying to me directly to my face. It’s the second time in my life he’s done it, and my gut churns with unease. “Why don’t you enjoy your dinner, sweetheart?” he tells me, nudging my chin with his knuckles in a gesture that usually would calm me down. But after what I’ve witnessed, it leaves a sinking feeling in my stomach.
3
Lycan
The paperwork is in place. There’s nowhere to run now because tonight, I’ll be meeting her. I’ve been flicking through her social media for a few days now, taking in every photo I can. I’ve devoured her with my hungry ogling, and my predatory fangs are ready to sink into the sweet, supple flesh of Scarlett Bardot.
The one photo I’ve saved is of her in a beautiful red dress, the color of blood. The sleek, silky material hugs her curves like a second skin. Her long hair is draped over one shoulder in a thick, auburn braid. The thought of her with those flowing locks over her voluptuous tits makes my dick hard. She’s not skinny, with curves enough to grip and manhandle, but even so, I’m certain she’ll be able to bear children. All I need is one son.
Horatio didn’t know what he was setting his daughter up for when he walked into my world and wanted to play with the big boys. The dollar signs in his eyes flashed as he learned about everything that Heaven could gift him, a place to delve into the darkest fantasy, but also a place you could lose your soul to the devil. To me.
When Kahn arrived back from the gala, he told me exactly what Bardot had said; he gave Horatio the ultimatum. The payment will be his daughter’s hand in marriage.
And then Kahn informed Horatio Bardot I will be bringing the contract to him personally. While we dine with the beauty, I’ll assess her to ensure she’s completely oblivious to who I am and why I’m there.
I should have been at the gala to hammer the final nail in the coffin, but having my right-hand man do it, allowing me time