Page 43 of Kiss of Seduction (Court of Chains #1)

Five small stages had been set up in the Court of Chains, each with a hefty steel pole solid enough that it didn’t wobble. All of them were occupied, but the other stages may as well have been empty. Everyone was looking at Evie.

Early in the evening, she’d ascended the stage with the confidence of an expert. Evie had worked as a pole dancer since she was eighteen, and while she’d taken the job out of necessity at the time, she’d grown to like it. And she loved the stage.

The music in the Court of Chains wasn’t the same as what she was used to. It wasn’t low and sensual like it was in the Love Light. Not energetic and rhythmic like the songs she used for her classes and not at all like the classical pieces Varro had enjoyed. It was heavy, loud, and carnal.

She didn’t know what songs would play. She had no routine prepared.

She could just lose herself to the beat of the music and ride the invigorating feeling of dancing for an audience until it made her smile so wide it hurt.

She ascended the pole, spinning and stretching and sometimes dropping such a far distance it made the crowd gasp and then hoot as they realized her falling had been a conscious decision.

She rose, she spun, she laughed. And all the while, she could see her newfound friends laughing along with her.

Lily looked in awe, Blake ecstatic, and Sam smiled so softly it was barely noticeable.

Whenever Evie needed a break, she fell into the group of women who dragged her to the bar, smiling and laughing.

“Goddamn, Atkins,” Blake said after a few trips back and forth. She eyed Sam and coughed. “Anderson.”

“Surprised?” Evie said, grinning. “Thought I was lying, huh?”

“Exaggerating,” Blake corrected. “I didn’t think people could move that way in heels.”

“Blame it on years of practice. I nearly broke an ankle twice learning it.”

“Who taught you?” Sam asked. She’d been quiet most of the night, seemingly happy just to be present.

“No one at first. Took classes later on when I could afford them.” Evie brushed her hair back theatrically. “I hardly needed it. I’m a natural.”

Blake cackled. “Cockiness looks hot on you.”

“As does that outfit.” Lily’s voice was more slur than not. Her gaze was distant, and she was wearing a goofy smile.

“I think you—” Lily was interrupted by a hiccup. “I think you have the attention of everyone in here. I saw someone salivating before.”

“That may have been your reflection in a shot glass,” Evie said. Lily made a face at her.

Blake and Evie had wheedled Lily enough that she’d joined them for a round of shots, and then one had turned into several while Evie was away on the stage.

Evie was barely buzzed, while Lily looked like she’d drained the bar. The poor woman was plastered.

Evie would feel bad, but she and Blake hadn’t pushed her that hard. Lily had wanted to be more than tipsy.

“I think you’re done for the night, missy,” Blake said.

“ Nooo …” Lily whined and Evie laughed seeing her lean against the bar. She looked out at the crowd with the slow, confused gaze of someone too intoxicated to know they were staring.

Evie was about to voice her agreement to cut Lily off when she noticed Blake and Sam looking at someone behind her. Blake’s eyes widened, and Sam’s face lit up in wonder.

“Woah. Those are some cool contacts.”

Evie tensed. She knew who the two women had spotted. She turned, looking right at Natalya’s smiling face.

She wore an elegant black dress and suit jacket that hugged her in all the right ways. Her dark hair fell in bouncy, beautiful curls, and her violet eyes glittered. And she looked highly amused.

“You’ve been drinking.”

There was a too-long pause as Evie stared at her. She hadn’t expected Natalya to be there, and the sight of her made Evie’s heart feel like it had floated into her throat. She was suddenly beyond thankful that the club was dark. She had a feeling she was blushing.

“A little.” She’d only had the one shot and a few sips of a drink, but the words came out in a way that made her sound drunker than she was.

Natalya turned to the man standing behind her. He was huge, olive-skinned, and wearing long fingerless gloves and a black shirt that was too tight over his chest. He had red, slitted eyes.

“Alcohol is a poison, Drago,” Natalya said. “When you were told to look after the girls, protecting them from toxins should have been high on the list.”

“Apologies, La—” He stopped himself. His voice was like thunder. “Apologies, Natalya.”

Natalya smiled at him, not really upset. Then her eyes found Sam, and the smile dropped. She suddenly looked not only angry but downright threatening.

Sam didn’t notice. Her eyes were locked on Drago, her lips parted. He stared at her in turn, face unreadable.

Then Sam noticed Natalya’s steely gaze and quickly turned away, hunching against the bar.

“What is she doing here?” Natalya was still staring at Sam.

“I invited her,” Evie said, making Natalya switch her attention back to Evie. She looked surprised, and Evie shrugged. “She was lonely.”

Natalya’s demeanor remained tense for a few more moments, but then she eased. She smiled with an oddly genuine appreciation that made Evie feel like she was still on the stage, spinning around the pole.

“You really are sweet,” Natalya said.

The compliment, said so easily and in front of everyone, stunned Evie into silence. It was saved from being awkward when a very drunk Lily moved past the two fiends, only just avoiding touching Natalya.

“ You! ” Lily was aiming at the shadow of a man standing behind Drago and Natalya. Evie hadn’t noticed Aleksander was there.

Lily poked him in the chest, and Aleksander looked so genuinely shocked at the behavior Evie had to cover her mouth to hide her smile.

“You’ve been ignoring me,” Lily slurred. She took a step back, stumbled, and Aleksander grabbed her.

“How drunk are you?” Aleksander’s voice was ice. It sent a chill down Evie’s spine, but Lily was barely affected.

“Not very.” She scowled at him, looking annoyed and not at all convincing.

“You said you wouldn’t have more than two drinks.”

Lily gave him a challenging look, the effect of which was lost by how much she was wobbling.

“They were two big drinks.”

“We should have cut her off earlier, sir,” Blake said apologetically. Aleksander ignored her. He grabbed Lily’s chin, making her look at him.

“How much did you drink?”

“Get off me, you brute.” Lily pushed off him, but Aleksander kept his hand on her arm. It was lucky. She would have fallen otherwise.

“Rich of you to worry,” she said. “You’re never here. It’s not like you care anyway.”

Lily was so gone Evie doubted she even knew what she was saying. Despite it, the comment sent a flash of hurt over Aleksander’s face. He eyed Natalya, who gave him a smile.

“I don’t require an escort. And it seems your precious flower needs some attention.”

Aleksander nodded, dragging Lily off towards the elevator. He looked grave, but he moved her slowly, taking care not to hurt her.

“ In vino veritas ,” Natalya said. She turned back to Evie, glancing at the nearby stage. “Nice show, by the way.”

Not even the dim club could save Evie from the effects of that comment. She knew she was red in the face.

“You saw?”

“Some of it. You looked like you were having fun.” She nodded at the shots lined up on the bar. “By the look of things, you’ll have fun for a while.”

With how angry Aleksander had just been with Lily, Evie suddenly got anxious. She had told Natalya she was going to the floor to dance. Not to get drunk.

“You’re not mad, are you?”

Natalya understood her concern without her having to say it.

“Aleksander’s upset because Lily promised not to overindulge. You’ve made no such promise. Besides, I know you can handle things in excess.”

If the comment was meant to tease, it worked. It worked way too well.

Evie chuckled nervously and lowered her eyes to the floor. It was one thing to have Natalya speak to her like that when they were in private. It had a whole other effect when there were people around.

“I’ll be out of the high-rise for a few hours. Aleksander wanted to check in on Lily, and I figured I’d do the same to you.” Natalya was smirking. She’d noticed Evie was flustered. “Drago will be here. If you need anything.”

Evie glanced at the red-eyed fiend leaning against the bar. She understood what Natalya meant with the comment. Drago would protect her if she was in danger.

“Don’t wait up for me,” Natalya said. “It’ll be late before I get back. If everything goes right.”

“Is there a chance it won’t?” Evie said, suddenly worried. It was dangerous outside the high-rise, at least more dangerous than it was to be within it.

Natalya offered her a calming smile. “You look cute when you’re concerned. I can take care of myself.”

Evie didn’t doubt that. But the concern rising in her chest was there no less.

“Are you sure?”

A flash of annoyance went over Natalya’s face. “Yes, Evie. I’m sure.”

“I haven’t seen you since yesterday,” Evie said weakly. “And I just… I don’t want you to get hurt.”

Though the words were true enough, there was more to them than just worry. Evie felt the same strange tenseness she had in the dance studio. A churning feeling in her stomach of not wanting Natalya to leave. It was similar to how she’d felt when she first got to Chicago. Missing her presence.

When a knowing smile crept onto Natalya’s face, it was obvious she’d noticed a hidden meaning in what Evie had said.

“Is that all?” Natalya took a step closer. Even with the heavy smell of sweat and alcohol permeating the club, her signature scent of lavender was unmistakable. “Seems like you’re feeling a little needy, darling.”

Her tone was cursedly effective, switching Evie’s worrying into a far less innocent emotion. She hadn’t been prepared to see Natalya like this. High on the excitement from dancing.

“I’m not needy,” she whispered. It sounded like a lie. She only realized it was so when the words were already out.

“And now you’re lying too.” Natalya’s eyes shined. “That’s not very polite, is it?”

Her gaze trailed over Evie’s body. She lingered on her bare stomach and her cleavage. Finally, on her mouth, and then back to her eyes.

With Natalya looking at her like that, Evie’s throat tied into a knot. No noise could come out.

“Stay near the bar, Drago,” Natalya said, not looking away from Evie.

“Yes, Natalya,” Drago rumbled. His attention was still on Sam.

“I have a little while before I have to go.” Natalya cocked her head, looking like a predator who had cornered prey. “And I’d like a moment alone with Evie. If she has the time.”

By her tone, Evie had a feeling about what she wanted to do with that time. Though Natalya was busy, she always made sure to be with Evie for at least a few hours each day. Some days they just talked. Most days, they didn’t.

Natalya was insatiable, and Evie didn’t mind one bit. Especially not when she held Evie in her arms afterward, sending calm into her body. But it had all happened in the apartment. Never so publicly.

“Sure,” Evie said finally. “Yeah, that’s… that’s no problem.”

Natalya guided her through the club towards a set of steel stairs leading to an observation platform high above. Red rope marked the area as off-limits. Natalya opened it and led Evie up the stairs.

When they made it to the platform, Evie was surprised at what she saw. Facing the railing were two steel thrones. Behind the seats, out of view from the club below, was a chest and a set of couches.

“What’s this for?” Evie had to speak loudly to overpower the music. Then she froze as Natalya moved up behind her.

“Privacy.” Her mouth was right by Evie’s ear. The desire in her voice was more than obvious, and it destroyed any interest Evie had for where they were. She didn’t care. She only cared about that voice.

“You think I’ve been neglecting you today?

” Natalya’s voice was easily heard, even with the blaring music.

“By how you were staring down below, you obviously think so. And then you lie to me when you know I have business elsewhere. You thought your neediness was more important than my responsibilities, so you acted impolite in order to make me stay.”

That hadn’t quite been her intention. But it became it the second Natalya had looked at her with such obvious want in her eyes.

“Well… it worked, didn’t it?” Evie managed to keep her voice calm through the first few words, but then Natalya’s fingers trailed down her arm, shooting sparks of delight through her body. It made her voice quiver.

“So you admit you were trying to manipulate me?” Natalya chuckled. “ Bad girl .”