Page 66 of Red Fury

Roman laughs. “No offense taken. So, this isn’t your vibe?”

“I prefer smaller, quieter. I like good food and…”

“Good company?” He lifts his brows.

“Of course.” I smile.

He glances to the right and then puts his tumbler down. “Would you please excuse me for a moment?” he says, standing. “I need to say hello to some friends of mine. I’ll be right back.”

He leans down, his voice dropping to something more intimate. “Promise me you won’t go anywhere, not even if you see your friends. I’ll send my people to fetch them and bring them up here. Your friends are more than welcome in the VIP section.”

“That’s very generous of you,” I say, genuinely surprised by the offer. “Thank you.”

“My pleasure.”

He walks away toward the main VIP area.

I sip my cocktail and watch the crowd below. My view of Fury and the others is obscured. I try to get a visual by leaning to the side.

Holy crap.

Kozlov is on his way back here, and the others are with him. Fury, too.

For just a moment, I think of running or hiding, but there is nowhere to go. I’m being silly. I had planned on facing them…him before long. Just not this soon.

I sit back down and take a big fortifying gulp of my drink before crossing my legs and sitting up tall.

I belong here just as much as they do…just as much as he does. The asshole!

Then they come around the corner, and Fury’s eyes lock onto mine across the space. I watch his expression shift from interest,to shock, to something much darker. He looks me up and down as he approaches, his jaw ticking with barely controlled anger. His eyes are blazing with a fury that has nothing to do with his name and everything to do with finding me here.

He looks pissed.

“Claire!” Webb exclaims as soon as he sees me, moving forward to embrace me. “What a wonderful surprise! I had no idea you were coming to Black Blood tonight.”

“Hello, Laurence,” I say, returning his hug with what I hope looks like genuine pleasure. “Fancy meeting you here.”

I don’t get the same warm welcome from Fury, who mutters the barest of greetings while maintaining his distance. The temperature between us could freeze the entire club.

Just then, Thompson arrives with the redhead in tow, and I get my first close look at Fury’s potential conquest for the evening. She’s stunning, with great curves and glossy hair and the kind of confidence that comes from knowing every man in the room wants her.

She immediately plasters herself against Fury’s side, her hand resting on his chest like it belongs there. My dragon wants to gnaw it off.

“I’m Bella,” she announces with a bright smile, introducing herself to both Roman and me before turning her attention right back to Fury. She has stars in her eyes and an adoring smile.

I work at keeping my expression neutral, but inside, my dragon is snarling. Okay, maybe I want to gnaw off more than just her arm.

“I ran into Thompson at the hotel,” I explain, forcing my voice to remain light and casual. “He mentioned you were all coming to Black Blood, and I was feeling a bit bored, so I thought I’d join you. I hope that’s okay?”

“It’s more than okay!” Thompson says, pulling me into an enthusiastic hug. “I’m so happy you’re here. This night just keeps getting better and better.”

Roman moves behind my chair, his hand coming to rest on my back in a gesture that feels distinctly possessive. “What a wonderful surprise that the friends you were meeting are also my friends. It seems like quite a coincidence.”

There’s something in his tone.

“We should sit and enjoy the evening,” he continues, surveying our group.

Thompson starts to pull up additional chairs, but Bella waves him off with a laugh.