His fingers lingering on my skin made me think twice.
“They do well with daily rounds of discipline,” Lucifer suggested.
I was ready to rip his eyeballs out with my bare fingers.
“She is learning. Slowly.” Kendrick shifted his eyes toward me before enjoying a sip of his drink.
“How did you hear about our organization?” The question drew Kendrick’s attention.
Kendrick chuckled. “By one of your members as you well know. Given we used to roam in the same circles many years ago, he was well aware of my tastes. As you obviously already know, I frequented many clubs in New York, but after a while, their offerings no longer allowed for the scintillation I needed. After learning of my proposed move, he suggested I consider something more to my tastes.” He took the opportunity to pull me closer, stroking me as if just another one of the pets in the room.
“Which member was that again?” Lucifer asked, the spark in his eyes easy to see even in the dim lighting. They were trying to trip Kendrick.
Kendrick wasn’t buying it. “While I completely understand your concerns for your exclusivity, I’m no longer interested in playing word or name games. Catcher is a man I consider trustworthy, which is the only reason I’m here.” As he continued brushing his fingers down my neck, I shuddered from his touch, which caught Lucifer’s eye.
Lucifer’s watchful gaze continued. “As I mentioned, Hunter is not a game player and I believe we can respect that. You’ve all had ample opportunity to cast your doubts and double-check our guest’s credentials. He has my vote. What say you?”
“I believe he’ll be an excellent fit.”
One by one they voted, except for the man who’d just entered the room.
“About time for you to join us. We have one more necessary vote. Catcher, I’m certain you’ll want to play catchup with your old buddy. No pun intended, of course. Your vote very much counts.”
Catcher took a deep breath as he approached, studying me first and for a few seconds too long. With his Phantom of the Opera mask, most of his face was hidden, the shadows keeping the rest in a dark silhouette. “Drake. I’m very happy you took me up on my suggestion. Welcome to our group.” He held out his hand and for a split second, I sensed Kendrick tensing.
But he didn’t miss a beat, accepting the handshake. “Yes, well, I must admit, the introductions to the club have been… annoying.”
Everyone laughed and Catcher returned his attention in my direction. The look he was giving me was unnerving.
The heat of the man’s gaze made my skin crawl, especially since he was remaining in the shadows. Catcher was the inside man who’d provided Raven Intel with information through Maverick. An informant.
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Catcher laughed.
God. His voice. I knew his voice. From where?
When he stepped into the light, his eyes immediately fell down the length of my body. While they were the eyes of a hungry man, a typical response for the repulsive men who believed they owned every woman they beckoned with their little finger, there was much more to the moment that struck me hard.
So hard my legs began to shake.
I knew the chin, the position of the dimple and the strong jaw. I knew the scar underneath his bottom lip caused by him running through a patio door as a little boy. And I knew the intensity of his ice blue eyes.
I also knew every inch of his body under the expensive suit.
The strong muscles and single tattoo, covering the scar from being accidentally shot with an arrow by his own brother.
Everything.
The first man I’d ever fallen hard for.
The first man who’d told me he loved me.
The first man who’d touched me even when I hadn’t wanted to be touched.
The man who’d taken my virginity.
A man who’d used the art of seduction to get what he’d wanted then had walked away.
And a man who’d been close to my father for as long as I could remember.
