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That’s a whole other form of torture.

CHAPTER SEVEN

ORION

The feel of her body against mine lingers in my mind for long moments as I try to gather any semblance of control.

But it’s useless.

There’s a reason I’ve kept myself away from her, and it’s not the least of which because my life isn’t ready for her yet.

No. It’s because I knew as soon as I felt her in my arms, there would be no going back. My obsession would be too far gone to allow her out of my sight.

I look over my shoulder from the edge of the VIP section, and a rough growl escapes my throat at what I see.

The fat, balding man has his hands on her while his friend watches with disgusting interest. I can’t allow this to play out.

I storm toward one of the bouncers and watch as his eyes widen. I’m not masked tonight, but that’s because I’m not here as the Hunter. A perk of having two identities is the ability to watch your target from two points of view, and tonight it is as the businessman rather than the crime boss.

“I want her in a private room,” I rumble, pointing straight at Ember but keeping my eyes trained on the bouncer. If I look back the way I just came, I’ll pull the gun from the back of mypants and put two bullets in each of the men that currently have their hands on what doesn’t belong to them.

He looks me up and down before turning to where I’m pointing. “She’s busy, man. Pick someone else.”

I glare at him as my hands clench into fists. Maybe I can spare a bullet for this asshole too. “I don’t care. I want her.”

He huffs and says something into his earpiece that sounds a lot like an insult, but I ignore him. If it gets me closer to having Ember all to myself, I don’t care what means come to that end.

“What’s your name?” He huffs out the question.

“Orion Henderson.”

His eyes widen, and I can’t help but smirk. Most people who live double lives are lucky for one of their personas to be feared. But both of mine are. Both of mine are the things that go bump in the night, and I know before the bouncer even repeats the name that I’m getting exactly what I want.

I’m known for being ruthless in all walks of my life, and even someone as low level as this bouncer knows better than to fuck with me.

He nods. “Lucas is coming down now if you’d like to wait in private room B for the girl.”

I swallow down the anger that simmers at the way he describes Ember, but I can’t expect him to know she’ll soon be queen of my empire.

Without a word, I turn on my heel and move toward the private suites they keep for their most influential clients. Lucky for me, I fall into that category.

I slip into the room and look around, my brows pulling together as I try to work out how I can make this work without her seeing my face.

Eyeing the leather couch in the corner and the small stage in the center of the room, a plan starts to fall into place in my mind.

I flick the lights off, leaving only the dimmed-down lights on over the stage before moving to the couch and pushing it farther into the corner until I’m sure the shadows will conceal my identity.

Any minute now, my pretty little flame will walk through that door, and I’ll be face-to-face with her for the first time since the night we met.

Since the night that both our lives changed irrevocably.

CHAPTER EIGHT

EMBER

Am I relieved to be away from creep one and creep two?

Absolutely.