Page 73 of Lady of Darkness
I wrap my arms around myself as I take it all in. I’m wearing jeans and a black sweater with my combat boots. Tonight wasn’t a fancy job; it just required comfort since we were on the roof of a building a couple of blocks away from our target. The guys are all wearing suits, so at least they look like they fit in here. I twirl around to find Gideon holding a glass of whiskey out to me. I hadn’t even seen the wet bar situated in the living room.
“Thanks,” I tell him, sipping it slowly.
My nerves are on fire. Aside from the night they killed Luka, and the subsequent airplane ride back to England, all five of us haven’t been together like this since then. Inthisway. Just thinking about it, about the way we were all so connected… my chest begins to flush.
Alaric walks over to me and wraps an arm around my shoulder, directing me to one of the Chesterfield sofas.
“Relax,” he whispers, his breath skirting down the skin behind my ear.
“I am relaxed,” I lie, sitting down petulantly.
They all sit down–Alaric and Gideon on either side of me, and Theo and Sterling across from us. The fire snaps and crackles, filling the silence. I look anywhere but into their eyes, instead focusing on the spines of the books on the bookshelf.
“Your training is complete,” Alaric muses from next to me.
I stiffen. “Really? Already? But, I still have the other slideshows–”
“You’re ready,” Gideon says from my right side. “The slides will always be there.”
I press my lips together. “I don’t feel ready. I didn’t even know how to use a sniper rifle.”
“But you did it,” Alaric says. “You are running five miles. Soon, it’ll be the requisite ten miles. You’ve been trained on weaponry, our history, and our future targets. Theo will get you up to speed on the technology aspect. However, today we received last-minute information about a target andyoueliminated him.”
I fill with pride. “I mean, I guess–”
“Learn to take a compliment, Harlow,” Alaric growls, his large hand gripping my thigh. It sends shivers down my spine when he squeezes it. “Let’s toast.”
I hold my glass up as all four guys hold theirs up.
“To Harlow,” Sterling drawls. “Our Lady of Darkness.”
My throat catches as I finally meet their eyes. They’re all watching me with darkened expressions, and I realize that tonight is a turning point for them. And for me. It’sacceptance.It’s the union of five souls merging into one. After tonight, I’m in it for good. This is my life. And they’re all waiting for me to change my mind.
Waiting for me to betray them again.
“To being your Lady,” I say slowly. I look at Alaric as I sip, and then I set my glass down and lean back against the couch. “Now what?”
Alaric downs his drink quickly and places it on the side table. Then he reaches into his coat pocket and pulls out a gun.
“Want to play a little game?”
My breathing catches when I look at the weapon. Small. Black.Lethal.
“What kind of game?” When I gaze up into his eyes, he’s staring at me with dark amusement.
Cocking his head, he leans forward and gestures to the gun with his hand. “Pick it up.”
My heart races as I reach forward, holding it in my hands delicately. They’ve trained me on how to handle a gun properly, how to shoot, how to pop the safety on and off… but as I place it in my lap, I have a feeling their idea of a “game” is a lot more sinister.
Because as much as I want to believe these men are normal… they’re not.
Even if they rescue me.
Even if they cuddle with me.
Even if they build me up to make me stronger.
At the end of the day, they’re monsters in suits. And by being here with them, so am I.
