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Then it hits me.
Vera. That damn do-gooder halo of hers is going to send me to hell at the mob’s hands.
Marco takes my smaller hand in his larger one. He’s warm to the touch whereas my fingers are icy cold. He rubs them between his and blows on the tops before feeding my arms into the sleeves. Rinse and repeat for the other side.
I’m kind of left speechless that either of them would care about someone they don’t know. Maybe they want to be nice to me, get me to follow them, and then whack me in a dark alley on the east side of town.
I swallow harshly. But I don’t see death in their eyes when I look between them. I only see worry and something else. Interest. For a stranger?
All I can think of is what have I stepped into? This whole damn ruse of playing the maid and getting intel on my brother’s possible whereabouts has blown way out of proportion.
I lift my eyes to Marco’s then Alaric’s. “I know you killed someone tonight.” I dangle the dangerous information out there knowing this could backfire. But I have an idea and it just might get me out of here and away from the chaotic temptation they stir inside me.
Marco grunts. “You would be wrong. I didn’t end anyone’s life.”
My arm shoots up automatically and the sleeve falls to my elbow. I jab a finger into his chest. “I have a video that says differently.” I can’t seem to shut up. For every counter he comes back with, I have something smart-ass to say. I can feel the burn of his eyes boring into mine. I only wish I could see the dark depth of his irises. That way I could tell him to fuck off properly.
“It was foolish of you to tell the man out front to stop me from finding you.”
My face drains. “Dear God, did you kill him, too? Is that where Ryth is? Hiding another body?” Kevin was the nicest teddy bear once you got past the rough exterior.
Alaric shrugs like hurting people is no big thing. “He’ll remember why we are called the Lords of Chaos. But no, I did not kill him. I could use a man like him. I like how he tried to protect you. It’s not his fault he’s no match for a man of my experience.”
Instead of doing the smart thing and shutting up, I keep digging in the jabs. “Do you hear your arrogance, or have you come to be immune? And stop touching my hair.” It’s distracting and I like it.
“Enough.”
My body clenches along with other parts of my anatomy that like the bite in Marco’s tone.
“You are coming with us.”
Nope. Not happening. I have no desire to die. Or worse, become a pussy cat for the three Lords of Chaos and chained to their basement wall for their entertainment.
Shaking worse than a drug addict needing a fix, I force myself away from their intoxicating heat when a group of drunk college girls bust into the corridor leading to the bathrooms.
Both Marco and Alaric pivot their bodies at the sudden noise. Shoulder to shoulder they form a reinforced wall of steel in front of me. I use the distraction to my advantage. I dodge around them and run as fast as I can. I can unpack the instant protective mode they assumed around me later. Right now, I need to put lots of distance between myself and temptation.
I dodge spiked heels on my toes, swinging hair, and bad tequila breath. The second I am on the opposite side of the gaggle of drunk chicks, I make the mistake of looking back.
Marco hasn’t moved from where I left him. But Alaric is nowhere to be seen.
“You,” he snarls, pointing straight at me. The sudden boom of his voice sends the chicks parting down the middle like the Red Sea.
There’s heat in his deep voice and a note of warning.
Good thing I am hard of hearing.
I retrace my steps back toward the bar where I left Vera. If nothing else, a nice right hook will do her some good and make me feel a thousand pounds lighter. She can forget girls’ night.
I’m so focused on my target, I completely miss the drunk dude staggering my way. I’m brought up harshly when a hand lands on my upper arm and tightens.
“Ouch! What the fuck?” I am jerked to a full stop so fast that I nearly fall flat on my ass. Only the bar digging into my back keeps it from happening. I try to pry the hand off me but this ass hat who has a hold of me is much stronger. I grab his wrist and look up at the man to see a drunk fifty-something with bloodshot eyes pointing the skinny end of his beer at me. “Another! Right now!” The stench of beer rolls off him in waves.
I try to jerk my arm free, but he’s not letting go. “Find a waitress asshole. I don’t work here.”
My pulse pounds in my ears. His fingers dig into my arm despite the oversized jacket. I shake my arm but he’s not letting go. “Get off me, damn it!” I anxiously glance over my shoulder to see how much distance is between them and me, but Marco is gone too.
“I said now bitc—” that is as far as the unfortunate drunk asshole gets before he’s flying over the top of the dancing crowd. He lands with an audible thud.
