line of people waiting to get in and checked our coats in the entry hall.
The first thing I noticed when we passed through the heavy velvet curtains and into the main club was the undeniable party atmosphere. The music was loud, the chatter and laughter louder, and everyone was dressed in theme. It was like we'd just stepped straight into The Great Gatsby... except with strippers. Yep, two parallel runways jutted out from a stage, each with a gorgeous but scantily clad dancer working the pole. The left was a gorgeous blonde girl with an incredible body, and the right was a guy in nothing but a tiny, sequined Speedo.
"Equal opportunity nudity," I commented with a grin, "I like it."
Archer rolled his eyes, then turned to speak with Steele too quietly for me to overhear—not that I was paying a lot of attention to him—when a familiar face appeared out of the crowd.
"Kate!" Dallas boomed, rushing forward and sweeping me up in a hug that took my feet off the ground. "I'm so glad you came. I didn't think Breezie could pull it off."
"She didn't even tell me you were coming," I replied, giving Bree a small frown of confusion over Dallas's shoulder. She just gave me a small smile back and shrugged.
"I'll get some drinks," she offered. "You can help me, Kody." She grabbed his arm and hauled him after her before he could fully protest, and I realized Archer had already disappeared.
Apparently whoever he'd come here to meet with, I wasn't invited into the conversation. It made me all kinds of irritated that he'd snuck off like that when it was my life in question. Then again, I knew nothing of the dark world they all lived in. It was all too likely I'd make some social blunder and get us all shot at. Again.
"You can probably put me down now," I told Dallas with a laugh, and he reluctantly set me back on my feet.
Steele moved closer, possessively placing his hand on my waist and shifting me a step away from Dallas. It was such a stupid, testosterone-filled move that I couldn't help rolling my eyes. Dallas wasn't a threat. Far from it. But I wasn't going to waste my breath trying to convince Steele of that when he was in full possessive mode. Besides, it was kinda hot.
"I'm surprised to see you here, Moore," Steele commented, his voice low and cold.
Dallas's easy smile faltered a second as his eyes flashed to Steele's face. "All of Hades' clubs are neutral zones," he replied in a careful, even tone. "I'm not breaking the rules by being here."
Steele gave a small incline of his head. "Make sure that doesn't change. I'm not in the mood to send Ferryman a reminder tonight."
Dallas's smile totally slipped from his face at that thinly veiled threat. "I think the reminder you all sent to Zane and the Reapers was enough, thanks." He shifted his gaze to me, his brow creasing with concern. "I'm worried about you, Katie. Maybe we can talk tonight... alone?"
Steele's hand tightened on my waist, and Dallas flicked a nervous glance at him before pasting an all too fake smile back on his face.
"Anyway, let's go see what Bree's ordered for us. I don't trust that girl's choices in liquor." Dallas laughed, but it was a forced sound as he headed in the direction Bree and Kody had gone.
I paused Steele before we followed, placing my flat palm against his hard stomach.
"I know you guys have a lot of secrets," I said, shifting so I could meet his eyes and show how serious I was, "and I've been all kinds of patient with you, regardless of everything else going on" —like my stalker mail reminding me that they're all liars—"but that patience is running out."
Steele sighed, but it wasn't a frustrated gesture. It was more a sigh of resignation. "I know, babe," he replied, meeting my eyes without flinching away. "Trust me, it's on my mind more than you realize. Kody's too."
I pursed my lips, unable to help asking, "But not Archer’s?"
Steele's gaze shifted away from mine a moment, looking over my shoulder and across the club with a frown pulling his brow. "Arch..." He trailed off with a small grimace. "Come on, let's find the others. This is supposed to be a night out for you, Hellcat. Have fun with your friends; we're just here to make sure no one tries to kill you."