Page 11 of Blood, Bones, and the Bratva Bogeyman

ME

You won’t know if you don’t show up.

DANE

I’ll be there.

“Well, looks like I need to go get ready to watch some fireworks because something tells me tonight is going to be explosive,” Sunni says, climbing to her feet.

That pull in my gut says she might be right.

Dane curls his fingers around my hip and leans his mouth close to my ear so that I’m able to hear him better. “Do you want me to grab you a drink?”

“Are you going to drug it?”

He laughs awkwardly but shakes his head. “No.”

Truth.

“Grab me a glass of Devil’s Mark on the rocks?”

Dane pushes his way through the people, and I don’t take my eyes off him until the crowd swallows him.

“Do you think it’s wise to accept a drink you didn’t order, Ms. Blackwell?” my security lady, Lucetta, remarks.

Lifting my hand, I wiggle the finger that has the plain silver band on it. “I won’t take the first sip until I know for sure.”

Lucetta has been in my security detail since I was ten years old. She’s more than just my guard—she’s my confidante. My friend. Something we’re not supposed to have in this life, but when you’re only allowed so much leash, you pull that bitch as far as it’ll go.

She shakes her head and runs her eyes around the club. “We have men on each exit and scattered throughout the club. You’re as safe as we can make you in here. Stay out of trouble.”

“Where would the fun be in that, Luce?” I tease, grabbing Sunni’s hand and pulling her into the crowd.

Sunni and I move along the dance floor. Our bodies roll, our hips shake, and our asses bounce as we move to the beat. Soon, Dane joins us, passing a drink my way. I put my back to his chest and roll my hips as I dip the ring down into the liquid. Only when it comes back safe do I lift it to my lips.

The warmth of the bourbon burns the back of my throat as I drink it down.

Dane’s hands settle on my hips, using his hold to guide my movements. Closing my eyes, I lean my head back against his chest. This is the last time we’ll ever be close like this, and I’m enjoying the feel of him. There’s no feelings involved with Dane, but he’s been familiar to me for the last few months. I won’t miss him when he’s gone. Probably his dick but definitely not him.

His lips drop to my neck, and my body goes haywire again. Except, it’s not pleasant like it was when it happened with Konstantin.

I let out a yelp when a shock hits where Dane touches. “Motherfucker.”

“What the hell was that?” he yells over the music, rubbing his hand across his mouth.

Shit. It wasn’t just me that got hit with that shock.

The cooling relief of the flash bond with Konstantin floats over me, and I know before I even search for him that he’s here.

Bloody hell.

five

Konstantin

Mybodywentrigidthe moment Misha informed me that the security I had placed on Cressida said she was at Embers nightclub.

With her fucking boyfriend, Dane.