Page 57 of Hers to Claim

“Well hopefully the rest of the night impresses.”

She stood on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “I can’t wait.”

Dante directed her onto an escalator that gave an impressive view of the Chandelier Bar as they rose to the second floor. He lowered his head to say, “We’ve got that corner reserved right there. Everyone riding this escalator will be able to see you.”

She swallowed hard. “See me doing what?”

“See you smiling and laughing and having a wonderful time.” He grinned and pitched his voice lower, “See you blush when I lean to whisper something dirty in your ear.”

Her fingers clutched his arm as they got off the escalator. “Then what?”

“We’ll have a drink or two there, then head to the club where I intend to rub up against your fabulous ass until I can’t stand it anymore.” He dropped his head to kiss her shoulder before angling her toward the bar. “Then we’ll see what comes up.” He chuckled into her skin.

Mari felt flushed as they moved to the hostess stand. The smiling redhead showed them to their table that had a curving bench. Rio and Dante sat on either side of her as she looked around the balcony. The view to the lower level was screened through a curtain of sparkling lights.

Dante leaned back with an arm behind her. “You look stunning tonight, especially up here.”

She leaned toward him and put a hand on his chest. “Thank you. So do you.”

He slipped one hand around to the nape of her neck and pulled her closer to cover her mouth with his. She murmured into his kiss. From the opposite side, Rio stroked her shoulder with two fingers when the server came to the table to take their order and she reluctantly pulled away.

They ordered small plates and drinks, and then talked about music until everything arrived. She hadn’t known that it was a passion that Dante and Rio both shared until that moment, though their tastes ran in distinctly different directions. Rio liked Latin beats, while Dante was more a club music guy. They both promised to send her playlists as everything arrived at their table.

She had let Rio suggest her drink, which was a very fancy tequila she no longer remembered the name of, but she would remember the aromatic tingle of it tickling down her throat for a long time. When Rio saw how much she enjoyed her drink, he wore the smile of a satisfied cat as he polished off the remains of her pork belly buns. In turn, she stole pita chips dipped in a yummy veggie dip that Dante had pushed her way in favor of sneaking a couple bites from Rio’s chicken and waffles.

They ordered another round of drinks and settled into a comfortable conversation about the party and other events that were coming up soon. The next time she kissed Dante, he tasted like maple syrup, and she let him pull her closer, until she was almost in his lap. It felt so normal to be out on a date in the bright lights of the city and kissing her boyfriend.

She settled into a pleasant buzz and couldn’t remember a time when she’d been so carefree. That was why it came as a surprise when someone who was not their server walked up to their tableand said in a deep voice, “It’s been a while, Mario. It’s soniceto see you again.”

Rio jerked next to her, his glass falling to the table to shatter loudly. One of the servers bustled in their direction to clean up the glass, but Rio waved her away with a growl. “Vincent. I guess you didn’t run away like a coward after all.”

The man who stood towering over them at their table was beautiful and callous and looking at him made Mari clench her teeth so hard her jaw ached. His black hair brushed the shoulders of his impeccably tailored suit. “I still have matters to attend to here. Including dealing with the mess that you and your compatriots have caused.”

Rio launched to his feet, sending the shards of glass tinkling to the ground.

Vincent raised one hand and a wave of calming magic rolled out from him. Everyone around him except Rio seemed to relax slightly; the servers moved less frantically and the patrons were less animated. “Before you charge over here to tear my head from my body, you should know that I have the phoenix.”

Rio stopped in his tracks, every muscle in his body tense. “You’re not lying.”

“I’m not. And if you so much as touch me, you’ll never find him.” Vincent tilted his head. “Oh, you really thought he was dead. How sad.” A cruel smile broke over his face. “No, he’s locked safely away. You know I always had a soft spot for that one.”

“What do you want?” Rio’s voice was low as all of the aggression melted from his body language.

“What would you give me for him?” His liquid silver eyes pivoted her way for an instant. “How about an even trade for Basilio’s daughter? She’s not my type, but I would cut her once in a while just to hear her cry.”

Rio stepped closer to the seraphim, interposing himself between her and him. “Take me and let him go.”

Mari reached for Rio to stop him but Dante wrapped an arm around her waist and held her back.

“What fun would that be?” Vincent said with spiteful smirk. “I want something that means something to you. I know how little you value yourself, Mario. I had a hand in shaping it.”

She hated this man with every fiber of her being. “Leave him alone.” The glassware on the table in front of her rattled with her fury.

Vincent stepped to one side to focus on her. “Interesting. I had no idea things had progressed so quickly.” His eyes swept to take in Dante and his face settled into a considering expression when his attention returned to Rio. “Think on what you’d give up to get your friend back. I’ll be in touch.”

Rio moved to stop him, but a burly man with deep brown skin and glowing red eyes intercepted him when Vincent turned away. “Stay where you are, kitty cat. Don’t want to start a fight where all the normies might get scared by the teeth and claws,” the bodyguard drawled with a menacing leer.

They glared at one another until Vincent disappeared from sight, and then the bodyguard nodded and turned away.

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