The whole room lights up, casting a new scene before us.It would be tastefully decorated if we were living in the Victorian period.Dark wooden furniture, rich reds and purples embedded in the woven rugs, dark panelling lining the walls, and an open fireplace—I can almost imagine stockings hanging from it at Christmas.Three large sofas complete the room.
“It’s not so bad with the lights on,” she says with little conviction.
I want to argue.I preferred the gloom.
You can’t fear what you can’t see.
“Stay with her whilst I get the bags.”
“Hurry, though,” Willa says before I get to the door.“I’ve no idea how she’s going to feel when she wakes up.”
I quickly make my exit.Willa is right.What the fuck is Hayami going to think when she wakes up to find she’s in Belial House with only me, Willa, and the darkness?
TEN
FENRIR
TWO MONTHS AGO
“What the fuckare we doing here?”I hiss down my mouthpiece to Willa, who’s watching Hayami as intently as I am.
Seemingly unaware of our unease, Hayami stands at the bar in five-inch stilettos and a figure-hugging black dress, looking like a peacock amongst a flock of pigeons.
“This is the bar she wanted to come to,” Willa reminds me.
“Yeah, and I told you what kind of bar this is.”I don’t need to add that this isn’t on the list of places that have been okayed by Markus for Hayami to visit—a list that consists of clubs and bars all owned by Devall.Willa already knows this and is turning a blind eye.She has a soft spot where Hayami’s social life is concerned.
A man shimmies past me wearing a fishnet tank top, clearly showing his pierced nipples and tattooed chest.
“It’s not our job to decide where she goes,” Willa answers through my earpiece.
She’s on the other side of the bar, watching Hayami from a different angle, ensuring that we cover all bases.She steps back to let a woman with a tray of drinks through the throng of people who are dressed—and I use the worddressedlightly—in short skirts, open shirts, tops that barely cover their breasts, and some that don’t cover them at all.
“Unless it compromises her safety.”I sweep the crowded room again but can’t keep my thoughts at bay.What are we even doing here?
In the four months I’ve been assigned to Hayami’s security team, she’s never gone to a bar like this.Hell, she often doesn’t leave the house unless it’s to go shopping.She hates clubs and bars.Until now, it seems.
“How does this place compromise her safety?”Willa challenges me.
My eyes roll involuntarily.“People come here for more than a drink.Take a look around.”
She doesn’t follow my instruction, just keeps her eyes on Hayami.She must know what I’m referring to: the flesh on show, the gyrating hips, the wandering hands, and the adventurous tongues.
“I sense no danger here, and we don’t have to worry about concealed weapons,” Willa says.“Besides, she’s an adult, and she’s free to explore whatever things she wants to.”
“You and I both know that’s bullshit.”I know what she’s getting at, but this isn’t Hayami.
Eight weeks ago, she asked me not to let anyone touch her at that stupid ball.Yet tonight, she walked into this bar despite me telling her what kind of place it is.I swear she hitched up her hem and flicked her hair over her shoulder like she was advertising herself, making sure everyone could see what was on offer.
But I’m still working on the rule that no one is to touch her.
Luckily, thanks to us being present, no one has approached her.
What is she playing at?Why are we here?If she doesn’t want guys to look at her, then what the fuck is she doing in a place like this?I’m so confused, but I won’t be deterred from my job.As far as I’m concerned, everyone is a threat.
“Hey, big guy.”A person approaches me.I’m not sure what gender they are, as their hair is short with silver highlights, their make-up bold and colourful, and their upper body is ripped under the tight Lycra top that’s stretched across their chest.“How far down do those scars go?”They wink and trail their hand across my pecs.
I glare at them, and they drop their hand.
