Onyx pursed his lips. “Nothing.”
Nico didn’t look convinced, but let it go, pulling Onyx closer. Dex tried not to stare or have any jealous feelings about how sweet and possessive the gesture was.
Ollie hurried over, holding out a shot for Dex.
He shook his head. “No, thanks. I’m good tonight.”
Ollie pulled his hand back, the clear liquid sloshing. “You want it, Harper?”
“Let’s share.” Harper took the shot and had a sip, his face scrunching at the taste. “Wow, maybe not.” He handed it back for Ollie to finish off.
Dex had another look around, finding not so much as a hint of familiarity in the surrounding figures. Luc would make him wait, wouldn’t he?
They didn’t linger by the bar. It was too loud to have a conversation, so there wasn’t any point once the drinks were done. Ollie dragged Dex to the dancefloor, pushing through the throng of people.
It was even harder to see who was around in the midst of it all. Lights flashed and the air seemed to vibrate with the beat. It would be difficult for Luc to find him. They could be five feet apart in this crowd and not know it.
Was this going to work?
Dex pushed the question aside. He had to forget about Luc and enjoy himself. He hadn’t been clubbing much this summer, only a few nights here and there, and letting loose would do him good.
He pulled Ollie close, and they danced like they had hundreds of times before. Dex relaxed into the familiarity, vowing to stop pushing Ollie away. Knowing he could rely on his best friend, he had to do a better job of reaching out.
They moved as one, no space between them. It was the first time at least one of them wasn’t single and open to hooking up. Admittedly, Ollie had no idea Dex wasn’t looking for a one-night stand.
Over Ollie’s shoulder, Dex caught a glimpse of Dante watching them closely.
Dex leaned to speak in Ollie’s ear. “Dante doesn’t mind that I’m dancing with you?”
Ollie shook his head. “He’d rather hang back, but I’m determined to dance with him at least a little.”
Dante held himself stiffly, more like a statue than anything, but didn’t appear uncomfortable. Not with that content, almost wondering expression on his face. Dex could believe he was satisfied watching his mate have fun.
He couldn’t help taking stock of his surroundings one more time. There were so many people. Harper and Ash danced like there was no one else in the room, and Onyx was almost hypnotizing as he moved. Nico certainly looked under his spell.
Dex’s heart clenched. Being around couples had neveraffected him before, but these weren’t couples. These were fated mates. They’d be together forever.
It doesn’t matter. I don’t want that. Dex had to convince himself.
He failed, imagining dancing with Luc along with the other demons and their mates. He imagined belonging to this group as much as everyone acted like he did.
Dex’s chest tightened. Why did he have to want the impossible? Ollie wouldn’t party with someone who’d attacked him, no matter what he said about forgiving Luc. The Devil wasn’t part of this group, and neither was Dex, so he danced like the music pulsing in his ears was all that mattered.
Eventually, they had a break, and Ollie went to say something in Dante’s ear.
Dex scanned the dance floor. “I’m getting water,” he shouted to Harper before pushing into the throng of people.
He headed toward the main bar, gaze snagging on anyone tall. He caught sight of a man with wavy black hair and his heart skipped, his insides tightening in anticipation. Dex pushed closer, and the man turned, revealing an unfamiliar face.
A weight settled over Dex. He shouldn’t have asked Luc to hunt him when he was out with Ollie and the other demons. It would have been better on his own. Then he wouldn’t be thinking about mates and forever.
Dex reached the bar. No one around even reminded him of Luc.
He pushed forward, waiting for the nearest bartender to look his way. The man moved quickly back and forth, pouring drinks and grabbing bottles of beer with impressive efficiency.
As the bartender paused for a moment to take an order, a flash of the club’s lights revealed a figure looming behind him, his face in shadow, horns curling along his head, and eyes glowing crimson. A split second later, thefigure was gone.
Dex’s pulse raced, and he looked frantically around. Luc was lurking behind the bar, hiding behind an invisibility illusion.
