He squirts even more accelerant on the fire. “Sounds good.”
I grasp Rosalie’s arm through the thick cotton. “Are the socks protecting your feet enough? I can carry you.”
She jerks free and pads toward the motorcycle. “Not a chance.”
Cute. Definitely cute. She grabs the waistband of the sweats to keep them up, obviously trying not to trip over the bottom that has now unraveled.
Infinitely fuckable. For the first time in much too long, I anticipate a future. A good one. In doing so, I make a mental note to ban all gum chewing in my organization from now on.
SIXTEEN
Rosalie
Hours after watching the casual murder of three men, I scoot myself back in the booth and drink my fourth apple martini. “This was a good idea.” I look at my two best friends. Alana sits to my right and Ella to my left, and both of them seem to be shimmering in the air. I should probably slow down with the alcohol.
Alana leans forward, her hazel eyes blurry. “I can’t believe you haven’t called the police.”
Ella shakes her head, her blonde hair piled up high tonight. In a light-green dress, she looks more sprite-like than ever. “You can’t, right? I mean, you’re his attorney and there’s no imminent threat.”
I pluck the apple slice from my now empty glass and pop it into my mouth to enjoy the sweetness. “I think that’s right. Even though I’m a witness, I don’t think I can say anything. Besides, they were shooting at us first.”
“There is that.” Alana is dressed in her signature aquamarine-colored dress. We’re drinking in the VIP lounge of the hottest new nightclub in town, Dark Mirror Lounge. I note multiple security guards at several points. They’re all here for Alana.
“I’m surprised Thorn let you out,” I joke. “What, are there only ten armed men in here?”
Alana snorts delicately and finishes her margarita. “Are you kidding me? Those are only the men you can see.” She blows a kiss to a security camera in the corner.
My mouth drops open. “He hacked into the security system?”
She shrugs. “Most likely. But that makes it easy for me to go out for a while, you know?”
I actually don’t know. Thorn seems to be a bit much for me. Although, I’m now somewhat of an accomplice to a man just as dangerous. Why are dangerous men so sexy? There’s something wrong with the female brain. “What is it in us that’s drawn to bad boys?”
Alana shrugs. “I like feeling safe. If anybody so much as flicks my ear, Thorn will cut theirs off.” Her eyebrows draw down. “Wait. That seems wrong. Right?”
Heck if I know. Being safe is definitely an aphrodisiac.
Ella waves for the waiter to bring another round. “My guess is that dangerous bad men are good in bed.”
That’s probably true. The memory of the wild orgasm Alexei forced on me flashes through my brain. My sex clenches. That’s it. My body is a moron not listening to my brain. But don’t hormones and sexual attraction come from the brain? “I’m losing my mind.”
Alana snorts. “Welcome to the club.”
Ella smiles as a cute waiter brings over three more drinks for us. “I kind of like having security in place.” She looks around at the thick mahogany tables and tasteful and somehow flowery decor. “I feel like nobody—even my evil stepmother—can get to me here.”
Alana reaches for another margarita. “Believe me, nobody can get to you here. Thorn has every exit covered.” She sounds happy, so I don’t give her too hard of a time. I can’t imagine ever giving up that much of my own freedom, and my thoughts fly unerringly to Alexei. He does seem to be rather bossy, and I need to set limitations soon. Although I’ll never admit this to anybody, but I slept peacefully for the first time in eons with him in my bed.
Ella kicks me lightly beneath the table with her high-heeled pump. “What is that look on your face?”
Heat instantly fills my cheeks. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Oh, yes you do,” Alana says. “Come on, dish it. I’ve seen Alexei. He’s seriously hot. You’ve only told us part of the story, right?”
While I’d told them about the events of the day, I hadn’t told them that he’s staying with me.
“Come on,” Ella coaxes. “You never could keep a poker face, at least not with the two of us.” This is true.
While I can bluff in court plenty, I can’t lie to my two best friends. “Fine.” I give them a full lowdown on how he’s staying with me.
