Page 6 of Marked
His face empties. “No.”
I glower at the cold anger in his voice. “Fine. Enjoy your evening.”
Turning on my heel, I walk through the tables and try to ignore the burning ice of his gaze on my spine.
Chapter 3
Ruin
I watch her walk off through the club. The damn bits of silk barely cover the sapphire-blue bottoms of the lingerie she wears. Her full ass strains the fabric, beckoning my eyes and everybody else’s.
She’s all woman. Thick and curvy. Her fucking breasts are perky under the thin top. One I can’t believe her boss is letting her wear. Even the little sway of her stomach is sexy as hell.
Every inch of my body is hot, burning, and her flash of temper only made it worse. It takes everything in me to remain in my seat. The urge to flit after her and shield her from every pair of eyes in the room is a real ache. One I have no business feeling right now.
Or ever.
My length throbs, persisting. “Fucking kill me,” I breathe.
Tanner smiles. “Aww, does Ruin have a crush?”
I turn, slowly, to look at him. Some of his laughter dies and a bit of his beast shines through his eyes. “Did you fucking see what she was wearing?” I ask.
Gage pulls a hand rolled smoke out of his jacket pocket and lights it with a small burst of power. He inhales. “I’m pretty sure everyone did.”
My hands tighten into fists around the edge of the table. There’s a harsh groan as the metal caves under my strength. “Watch it,” I warn.
Tanner’s teeth elongate in his mouth. “Once again, pretty sure everyone already has.”
I lunge.
Only Gage’s vise-like grip keeps me from climbing over the table. The Fae warrior sighs around his smoke, the slim, glowing rod bobbing. “Tanner, stop.”
Tanner crosses his arms, sulking. If it’s possible for a six-four shifter to sulk.
The chandeliers dim around us and bright spotlights land on the dais.
The big man from downstairs, Vic, steps up on the platform. Sweat beads on his brow under the brilliant glow. “Ladies and gentlemen. Good evening and welcome to Carnage.” He offers a rigid smile, flashing a gold-capped tooth. “Unfortunately, our next act has been canceled due to Draven’s overzealous dinner.”
Several cries of dismay drown out the low chuckles.
Vic raises a jeweled hand. “However, I have taken it upon myself to put together a little something special. A lottery, as it were. How about a night with one of our prized beauties?”
Excited rumbles taper through the room, growing in volume and swiftness.
The spotlights move, weaving through the patrons before alighting on a now familiar frame.
Lilah stills, her eyes wide like a deer in headlights. Her fingers mottle around the empty tray in her hands, and my heart begins to beat faster. She didn’t know.
Right?
“If she walks up there ...” I mutter.
Gage holds me harder. “I know.”
The blonde hostess walks over to her, trying to give her a friendly nudge. Lilah swats at her with real anger and below that, fear.
I’m at the edge of my seat before I can blink.
