Page 23

“I expect you to stay close, attend to my needs, and keep the vultures from stabbing me in the back.” Beneath the dazzling display of wealth and prosperity, Tiberius’ party was a minefield of political unrest and hidden agendas. Many in attendance disapproved of her very presence here. After all, she was the lowly burlesque dancer who’d landed the Council’s mage and was rumored to have murdered him. At times she suspected Tiberius invited her to his gatherings just to stir dissension. Regardless, she’d learned to navigate the shark-infested waters, using these events to her advantage.

Liam eyed the crowded room. “Thinking you might want to reconsider your circle of friends.”

She peered up at him. “You expect me to believe you don’t do business with people you abhor? Everyone who walks into Howlers is a close friend?”

“That’s different.”

“How so?”

“At Howlers, someone messes with me, I beat the shit out of them and show them the door. I sure as hell don’t bat my eyelashes and make nice.”

She tightened her grip on his arm. “Subtlety is an art form. Tonight, you will practice restraint. There are a great many people here who could ruin us both with the snap of their fingers if you were to offend them.”

He chuckled, the sound failing to put her at ease. “You, of all people, should know the wordssubtletyandrestraintare not part of my vocabulary. I think you brought a bull into a house of glass for a reason. I also think you feel threatened by this bunch, and you thought a show of muscle would put some of them in their place. You dragged me here to make a statement. If what you really wanted was subtle, you’d have brought Armond.”

Perhaps he had a better understanding of the game than she gave him credit for. Still, it had taken her years to make these connections. Connections that put her in a position of power. Connections she needed in order to finish her shelter. She couldn’t have Liam threatening her hard work.

She leaned in close, pressing her body into his chest, purring, “Liam, my darling.” His eyes dilated, and he circled an arm around her back. Once she was certain she had his undivided attention, she set the heel of her stiletto on his foot and levered her weight on it. His pain-filled grunt filled her with satisfaction. “Embarrass me, and I’ll show you why they call me the Black Widow.” She delivered her threat in a sultry voice, batting her lashes. After a moment, she removed her heel and smoothed the front of his suit coat, smiling. “See? Subtle.”

The heated look in his eyes, along with his slow exhale, took her by surprise. Goddess save her. Was he turned on by the threat? Warmth unfurled in her belly.

Before she could analyze the revelation further, a voice snared her attention. “Vivian!”

She spun to find none other than Tiberius Steele striding her way.

As usual, he cut a striking figure in his navy pinstriped suit with its crisp kerchief. While not as muscular as Liam, Tiberius was by no means a small man. His head was clean-shaven, while his pointed Van Dyke beard and narrow mustache were elegantly trimmed. Humans would place him in his late fifties—if he were a mere mortal. Vivian had always found him attractive, if not intimidating. With his very presence, he dominated a room.

When he reached for her, diamond cufflinks glinted at his wrists. “Tiberius, so good to see you.” She kissed his cheek, enjoying the scent of his exotic aftershave.

He swept her an appreciative head to toe, letting his hand linger at the small of her back. “Vivian. Gorgeous, as always. Not even the moonlight can compare to your beauty.”

“You are ever the charmer,” she simpered. “But my heart is impervious to such pretty words.”

“Can’t blame a male for trying.”

And he had been trying for quite some time. More than once, he’d made it clear he wanted her in his bed. It had become increasingly difficult to refuse without insulting the powerful man. Angering Tiberius Steele would prove disastrous. He knew far too many of her secrets.

A firm hand grasped her elbow, towing her away from the magister. Before she could utter an objection, Liam wrapped an arm around her waist, drawing her into his side. She gritted her teeth. And there went Rule Number One. Again.

Tiberius narrowed his eyes at Liam’s possessive posturing. “New toy, Vivian? This one doesn’t seem to know his place yet.”

She pressed her lips together, grating, “He’s still in training.”

“Tiberius Steele.” The magister extended his hand to Liam. “And you are?”

Liam eyed the hand he offered with disdain. His voice a low growl, he said, “The male who’s taking her home tonight.”

“Liam, you overstep yourself,” she snapped, tone icy. “I’ll not have you insulting our host.”

Tiberius clenched his fist at his side, his smile drawing tight. “Not to worry, Vivian. Like your impervious heart, it will take more than that to pierce my hide.” He adjusted his cuffs beneath the sleeves of his coat while taking Liam’s measure. The muscle ticking in his jaw portrayed his annoyance. “Liam, is it? Your face. It’s familiar, but I can’t place it. Where are you from?”

“Here and there.” Liam met his eyes, his stare unblinking.

“Liam is an old friend. We’ve only recently reunited,” Vivian offered before steering the conversation into safer territory. “Tell me, how is your nephew doing? It’s dreadful what happened to Lord Steele at his casino opening. I dare say that explosion rocked the entire building.” There was no need for her to feign concern. In this pack of jackals, Marcus was one of the few aristocrats she truly respected. Like Vivian, someone had threatened his life. The difference being they’d nearly succeeded when they’d planted a bomb in his car.

Tiberius turned his attention back to her, the hard lines across his brow softening again. “My nephew isn’t well, I’m afraid. It was only due to the efforts of my team at Legacy that he survived at all.” Legacy Laboratories was Tiberius’ private company. It specialized in artifacts, extinct races, lost magics, and dark medicine.

Vivian’s heart sank to think what her old friend may have been subjected to in his uncle’s laboratory. She was all too familiar with scientists and their experiments. “I stopped by to see him the other day and was turned away. The guard said he wasn’t receiving visitors.”