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C harlotte waited impatiently at the back of the long line. People laughed, yelled, and talked amongst themselves ahead of her, all of them sitting at different levels of drunkenness, waiting for their turn to be let into the club.

Unfortunately for Charlotte, she was dead sober. She couldn’t wait to get inside, down a few drinks, and hit the dance floor. She was exhausted. This week had dragged on, and she was ready to let her hair down.

Where the hell are you, Ava?

Charlotte looked around, annoyed. Ava had been relentless in getting Charlotte to come out to the club tonight, and she wasn’t even here to meet her yet.

Typical fucking Ava .

The entire world was supposed to run on Ava time, and there was to be no complaining about it, either.

Charlotte’s long, honey-blonde hair hung in loose curls down to her waist, the sides pulled back into small braids. Her small blood-red halter top showed off her petite waist and molded perfectly around her breasts, or as Ava liked to call them, her ‘money makers.’ Her tiny black skirt only just covered her butt, and the thigh-high black heeled boots finished off her outfit.

It’s time to slut up , were Ava’s exact words when she had convinced Charlotte to come to the best club in town, where the rumored rich folk were supposed to frequent. When Charlotte had finally gotten home from work, she’d found this outfit laid out on her bed with a little note next to it.

You’re going to look hot, bitch, with a little heart drawn next to it.

Charlotte had rolled her eyes, frowning at the tarty outfit her friend had picked out for her to wear. She nearly ignored it to put on something she’d be more comfortable in, but Charlotte knew if she didn’t wear it, she would never hear the end of it.

Charlotte leaned to the left, peering once again down the long line, but it didn’t appear to be moving at all. She looked above the door at the bright white neon sign standing out against the black bricks.

Fallen Angel.

Nice name. Hopefully, the club is just as good on the inside, she thought, as someone grabbed her ass from behind.

Charlotte whirled around, ready to give a stern glare to whatever drunken slob tried to grope her, but her frown disappeared when she found Ava standing there, grinning at her.

“You liked it, didn’t you?” she giggled, her long black hair blowing in the slight breeze.

Charlotte gave her a quick once-over, taking in her round cherub face, stunning high cheekbones any supermodel would die for, and brilliant smile, then scanned her slut up outfit, which consisted of a tiny black strapless dress that looked like it had been painted on, and black six-inch heels covered in gold spikes.

“Always.” Charlotte smiled back, instantly forgiving her for being late.

“You look hot, bitch!” Ava said, giving her an approving once-over.

Charlotte rolled her eyes, ignoring her. “So, who is this hot stranger you’ve been keeping as your dirty little secret?”

Ava had been getting obsessed and spending all her spare time with some mystery man.

I am totally not jealous about it , she lied to herself.

Ava’s face took on that wistful look she always got when she fell in love with her new flavor of the month. “He’s tall, tanned, and give-you-an-orgasm-on-the-spot handsome. I think we will have a July wedding and then honeymoon in the Bahamas,” she said dreamily.

Charlotte burst out laughing. “You truly are crazy. But the way this line is going, you won’t get to see him tonight. It hasn’t moved an inch since I’ve been here.”

“Have you learned anything from the how to live with being so hot lessons I’ve been giving you?” She tsked, shaking her head as she somehow managed to climb under the rope in her tiny black dress, motioning for her to do the same.

“What are you doing?” Charlotte asked, trying to bend without flashing the group of guys behind her.

Should have worn a longer skirt.

“A bit lower, and you would have taken me to heaven,” she heard one of them say.

The group burst out laughing.

Charlotte quickly glanced back at the group of guys. The one who had spoken wore a white buttoned shirt and blue jeans, his dark hair cropped close to his scalp like he was fresh from the Marines.

Charlotte’s cheeks heated, but like always, Ava came to her rescue. She leaned over Charlotte’s shoulder, flipping him the bird.

“You wish you were good enough to handle all of this,” she snapped, waving her hands at Charlotte. Then Ava looped her arm through Charlotte’s, pulling her toward the front of the line. “We are bypassing this line, honey, and walking in like we own this joint. It’s called V.I. fucking P, baby.” Ava grinned at her as they walked past everyone.

Ava was swaying her hips, strutting to the front of the line, causing a lot of wolf whistles from the drunken men and hateful glares from the women.

When they reached the front, two large, burly men stood in front of the giant double doors, arms crossed over their chests. They wore black attire and had a menacing appearance, as if they would murder their own mothers just for fun.

The music from inside the club was thumping so loud that Charlotte just wanted to get inside and have some fun. It had been a while since she’d been out on the town, so Ava had better deliver on her the best night of your fucking life promise she made when Charlotte agreed to this. The look of the bouncers didn’t seem to faze Ava one bit. She looked at them like they were her long-lost friends.

“Tank, my man, how’s things tonight?” she said to the first bouncer.

Charlotte’s mouth fell open as the bouncer suddenly smiled.

“Ava, we’ve been expecting you, little lady. Your name’s been put at the top of our list,” he said, giving her a wink.

“Well, duh,” she answered with a hand on her hip while flicking her hair over her shoulder with the other. “I have my beautiful girl with me tonight as well,” she added, pointing at Charlotte. “She’s my plus one.”

The bouncers both laughed, shaking their heads as the one she’d called Tank unhooked the rope. “Why, of course, little lady. You two have a good night now and let us know if anyone gives you any trouble,” he said, letting them through.

“Sure thing, Tank,” Ava said, batting her lashes as the second bouncer stamped their wrists with a VIP stamp and opened one of the doors for them to enter through.

Ava grabbed Charlotte’s hand, pulling her into the club. As they walked in, Charlotte gazed above them, watching the ceiling twinkle with millions of tiny stars. It was beautiful. The glow from the lights above illuminated the black tunnel they walked through until they found themselves at the edge of a giant dance floor. The club overflowed with people.

Shiny golden veins ran through the black dance floor. To the left, a beautiful black bar ran the length of the club, the bottom glowing neon white, which ran all the way down to the floor. There were bar stools occupied by men and women all chatting, laughing, and drinking the night away.

What blew Charlotte away the most was the ceiling. When she gazed above the dance floor, there were the most beautiful women she had ever seen. Some were perched on swings, swaying, while others dangled from long black bits of fabric, wrapping it around their legs and waist as they swung above the crowd. Each one wore beautiful, intricate bikinis of all colors and had decorative wings arching from their backs, matching their colored outfits.

Fallen Angels, she thought with a smile.

As Charlotte looked past the flying girls, she realized the club had two stories. There was a whole other floor above them, and in the back right-hand corner of the top floor, there seemed to be a giant room, or office, with floor-to-ceiling windows.

The giant wall at the far side of the club where the office was had the most stunning artwork she had ever seen. The detail of the giant silver wings spread across the black wall captivated her. In the center, there stood a massive, black, carved door guarded by two giant, muscled men. They had roped off the whole doorway, and a blue neon light glowed above the door.

VIP ONLY

“This place is amazing,” Charlotte said to Ava over the thumping music.

“See? I told you you’d love it. Now, let’s get a drink and dance our asses off,” Ava said, pulling her over to the bar, squeezing them in between a couple of guys. Ava waved a hot, shirtless barman over. “Two vodka and Red Bulls, handsome.” She smiled, giving him a wink.

“Don’t you want to go and find your dirty little secret?” Charlotte asked her with a laugh.

Ava screwed her face up. “He might be the sexiest man I’ve ever seen, but he can wait till I’ve had some drinks and fun with my girl first. Hoes before bros, remember? Plus, he will be upstairs talking business or whatever it is he gets up to. He will come and find me when he’s ready.” She paid for their drinks and handed Charlotte her glass.

“Now, skull up, bitch. It’s time to finally get your sexy ass laid and pop that cherry of yours,” Ava said with a grin as she clinked their glasses.

Charlotte laughed, shaking her head as she swayed to the music.

* * *

Three hours later, Charlotte was dirty dancing with Ava on the dance floor. She’d had way too many vodkas, and Ava had made her have a variety of shooters, which she was pretty sure all had names with something sex-related.

Charlotte couldn’t remember the last time she’d had this much fun. She grinned as she twirled her arms in the air, throwing her head back as she and Ava tried to dance as low and sexy as their outfits would allow. They were both lost in the music’s beat pumping loudly through the club. Every now and then, she got the feeling someone was watching her, but she simply shook the feeling off and kept enjoying herself.

“Time for another drink. I will meet you at the bar. I need to go to the bathroom. Order me a Jack and Coke and another blow job shooter,” Ava ordered as she headed off through the crowd.

Charlotte made her way through the packed floor, finally pushing up to the bar and planting herself on a bar stool. When she nearly slipped straight off, she laughed at her drunken self and held on to the top of the bar like her life depended on it. The handsome barman, Chad, who’d been serving them most of the night, walked up to her laughing.

“What can I get you, Charlotte? How about water?”

Charlotte stared at the man with a horrified expression. “Listen up, hot stuff. There will be no water service tonight. I will have a vodka Red Bull, Jack and Coke, and two blow jobs, thanks,” she slurred, grinning at him.

Did I really just slur as much as I think I did ?

Chad simply shook his head with a laugh and went to get her order. Once he’d handed her the drinks, Charlotte looked around for Ava. Seeing no sign of her, she shrugged her shoulders and slammed back her shooter.

“Well, hello, beautiful. So, are you going to take me to heaven now or what?” said a voice from behind her as a hand pinched her right butt cheek.

Charlotte turned to find the man with the Marine’s hairdo from earlier in the night. “Get bent,” she snapped at him, turning back to her drink.

Where the hell was Ava?

“Oh, come on, don’t be like that,” he said, sliding up beside her and gliding his hand over her ass. The man reeked of alcohol and was slurring his words worse than she was.

Charlotte slapped his hand away. “Don’t fucking touch me,” she said, her drunkenness making her braver than normal.

His demeanor changed from playful to angry in a heartbeat.

This can’t be good, she thought, his expression scaring her a bit.

“You’re just a little fucking cock tease, aren’t you? Now, let me have a feel,” he whispered in her ear and grabbed her breast, squeezing so hard it hurt.

Charlotte reacted instantly, throwing her drink in his face. He moved his head back with a look of shock, and then she slapped him in the face hard enough for his head to whip to the side.

She froze in disbelief that someone would actually grab her in that way and was even more shocked that she’d actually stuck up for herself and physically hit someone. Something she’d never done her whole life. Charlotte quickly scanned the crowd again for Ava, panic rising.

The man turned, glaring at her. “You fucking whore,” he spat.

Charlotte was too drunk to react fast enough, the man leaning forward and slapping her so hard he knocked her off the stool.

Charlotte slammed into the ground. She could taste blood and knew he’d split her lip as she sat up, dazed, her head spinning. She could see the man stepping over her with his fist raised to strike her again, but before he could bring his fist down, a hand wrapped around his wrist, stopping him.

* * *

Roman had been upstairs in his office for the last hour with Maalik and Phoenix, discussing the information they’d tortured out of the last demon they had captured when he’d seen a beautiful honey-blonde girl weave her way through the crowd to the center of the dance floor. The moment he had laid eyes on her, he had gotten rock hard.

She looked like an angel but was dressed like utter temptation, in one of the shortest, sexiest skirts, a blood-red halter, and goddamn, those heels! It was as if the devil had made her himself.

He could have sworn he’d seen her before.

He frowned… The server girl? Surely not?

He couldn’t take his eyes off her. She was even more beautiful with her hair free of that tight bun she’d worn earlier in the evening.

While his brother had been trying to explain what he and the other fallen angels had discovered, the way she moved her body as she danced had distracted him. The sensual way she rolled her hips, how she would throw her head back, eyes closed, with a smile on her face, lost in the music. He’d nearly come in his pants right then and there.

Maalik, finally sick of Roman not paying attention, came over to the window to see what he was staring at. “Ah, the cocktail server that caught your eye earlier. Charlotte, I think her name was.” He smirked.

The memory of the gray-eyed beauty, her dazzling smile, popped into his mind. “That it is,” he answered, mesmerized by her.

By the look of Maalik’s tense stance and the way his eyes had turned black, the raven-haired girl currently grinding on Charlotte in the most provocative way had caught his attention, and not in a good way. He looked like he’d seen a ghost.

“Who the hell is she dancing with?” Maalik whispered, his voice tortured and broken.

Phoenix made his way over to the window to see what the fuss was about. His sandy blond hair was short at the back and sides but longer on top. His fringe was pushed to the left side, out of his amber eyes. It also hid part of the two long scars that started above his eyebrow and ran down his left cheek, finishing just below the corner of his mouth.

Phoenix had been another unfortunate angel to fall into Hell. A creature imprisoned in one of the pits attacked Phoenix while he was trying to escape, resulting in his transformation into a half-angel, half-fire being. They’d spent years researching, trying to help him figure out what had done this to him, but none of them could be sure. Some guessed a fire god. Others, an ancient fire elemental. When they had first fallen, an old solitary witch told him he had the fire blood of a Phoenix running through his veins. A mythical race from before their time on Earth. Since then, the nickname Phoenix has stuck.

“What the hell are you two staring at?” he asked, scanning the crowd, his gaze landing on the two women. “Ah, my current groupie has arrived.” He smirked.

“Who?” Maalik and Roman both snapped, their heads whipping toward him.

Roman wanted to kill him. The idea of another male lusting after her had him wanting to smash his fist into the wall. For the first time in centuries, he could feel his beast, hidden deep down inside, rearing its angry head. A brief memory of the monster that had bitten him when he had fallen into Hell flashed through his mind.

What the fuck is wrong with me?

Phoenix frowned at their behavior. “Ava, the dark-haired nymph in the painted-on black dress.” He grinned, eyeing her. “Look at those spiked heels! She drives me crazy, and I haven’t even slept with her yet.”

Roman swore as Maalik punched Phoenix square in the face. The movement was a blur. He’d moved so fast. Eyes still as black as night, fangs bared, he had backed Phoenix up against the window.

“You will stay away from that woman,” he hissed. Then he said something to Phoenix in a low, menacing tone in a language Roman didn’t understand. By the look on Phoenix’s face, he didn’t know what Maalik was saying either.

Roman grabbed Maalik, pulling him off Phoenix. He’d never seen him lose his cool… ever, especially toward one of his brothers.

“What the fuck, Maalik?” Phoenix said, wiping blood from his face.

Maalik shook himself, eyes returning to their usual green. “Sorry. I don’t quite know what came over me. Looks like you’re not the only one distracted tonight, Roman,” he added with a scowl, looking back at the dance floor, his face becoming haunted as he stared at Ava.

“Look, Maalik, I didn’t know that someone else had claimed the girl. She’s all yours, bro,” Phoenix said, shrugging it off.

Maalik opened his mouth to say something, only to close it again with a shake of his head. “Shall we continue with our discussion?” Maalik asked, standing as still as a statue, his eyes never leaving the dance floor.

As the hours went by, Roman didn’t move from the window. Mind you, neither had his brother. He’d wanted to murder every drunken man who tried to grab Charlotte and dance with her. The anger surprised the hell out of him, seeing as, besides the odd quickie in the club bathroom with whatever drunken woman wanted it, he hadn’t bothered or taken an interest in a female for centuries. He didn’t have time for things like that. His attention was and always had been on his fallen brothers and trying to get them home.

He’d tried to pay attention to what Phoenix and his brother were trying to tell him, but he kept scanning the crowd, his gaze seeking her out. Finally, her friend left her side, disappearing through the crowd toward the bathrooms. The minute the dark-haired girl vanished from his view, Maalik stalked out of the office without a word to either of them, slamming the door behind him.

“What the fuck is his problem?” Phoenix asked, sipping on his rum and Coke.

Roman shook his head. “I have no idea,” he mumbled, watching Maalik glide through the crowd effortlessly, headed in the direction the girl had just gone.

Seems like my brother has found tonight’s dessert, he mused, his gaze searching for his blonde beauty again. When did she become his? He frowned to himself.

Roman stilled. A drunken man in a white shirt had started harassing Charlotte. His whole body tensed as he watched her slap the man for touching her.

Touched what’s mine! his thoughts screamed angrily.

Roman couldn’t figure out why he continued to think of her as his when he didn’t even know the girl. He shouldn’t care whether someone was trying to touch her or not… but he did.

“Roman, are you even listening to me?” Phoenix walked up to him.

“I’m going to rip his heart out,” Roman roared, watching as the drunk man slapped Charlotte back, knocking her off the bar stool.

He could feel his eyes glowing red as anger consumed him. Phoenix quickly stepped away from him, eyes wide.

A red haze fell over his vision. For the first time in a millennium, he forgot himself, his eyes glowing as he stormed out of the office, leaving a startled Phoenix staring after him.

Roman flew down the stairs two at a time. Get your shit together. He focused as a couple of drunken people at the bottom of the stairs scampered away in fear at the sight of his red eyes. Despite reining in his fury and feeling his eyes return to normal, he couldn’t control his speed as he moved across the room. He was behind the asshole who’d struck Charlotte in a heartbeat, grabbing the man’s raised fist as he went to punch her.

Roman could feel the man’s fragile bones snapping, causing the human to whimper like a child. The corner of his mouth lifted into a cruel smile.

“Like hitting women, do you?” he asked the man calmly, although inside he was seething. His emotions continued to shock him.

“S-s-s-sorry!” The human howled in pain.

Roman’s gaze fell on Charlotte. She was sitting on the ground. Her tiny skirt had ridden up her golden thighs, giving him a glimpse of black lace. Need slammed into him, his cock, if it was possible, getting even harder.

She moved her arm, brushing her long, wavy hair out of her eyes, and he saw the blood trailing from the corner of her mouth. The sight snapped him out of his lustful trance, anger taking over him anew.

“I should rip your heart out and ram it down your throat, you insignificant piece of shit,” he growled.

“She was being a cock tease… P-p-please, don’t hurt me.” The drunken man started sobbing.

“Cock tease,” Roman said furiously, punching him in the face and breaking his nose. Blood poured out, running down onto his white shirt. He moved to hit him again when Phoenix came from behind, grabbing his arm.

“What the fuck, Roman? Do you want to kill the poor guy? And with everyone in the club watching you…” he whispered, clearly shocked by his behavior.

Roman stilled, gazing around him. All eyes in the club were on him, snapping him out of his angry haze.

What the fuck am I doing?

Staring at the now bloodied, sobbing man, Roman let him go, shoving him away. “Get the fuck out of my club, and don’t let me see you here again.” He glared at the man as his group of drunken friends grabbed him, dragging him toward the exit.

Roman looked back at Charlotte. She was still on the floor, staring up at him, scared. He knelt in front of her. Without realizing he was doing it, he went to brush his fingers along her cheek where the man had struck her. She flinched, and he quickly dropped his hand to his side.

“I will not hurt you. Here, let me help you to your feet,” he said softly, holding out his hand.

She sat there for a moment, chewing on her swollen lip, causing him to inwardly groan and wonder what her lips would taste like. Finally, she cautiously placed her small, delicate hand in his and let him help her to her feet.

“Thank you,” she slurred timidly as she placed her hand on her forehead with a frown.

“Are you okay?” he asked, wondering why the hell he even cared. He didn’t even know this woman, and yet he’d almost killed a man for striking her.

He needed to get rid of her, get someone to take her home. For whatever reason, he just couldn’t think straight with her here, and he had important matters to attend to. The other angels would be here soon. He really needed to get his shit together. Even so, for some unknown reason, he was worried about this woman.

“I feel dizzy,” she said, swaying.

Roman placed his hands on her shoulders to steady her, the feel of her smooth skin sending warmth through his palms. That simple touch had him throwing his little pep talk to himself out the window.

“Come to my office, and you can sit down out of the noise. We can make sure you’re okay. I’m Roman. I own this club,” he told her, wrapping his arm around her and leading her through the crowd toward his office.

Phoenix just stood there, staring at him. “What the fuck are you doing?” he whispered low enough that only he could hear.

Roman glared at him and kept walking. What the fuck am I doing? he thought angrily. I’ll get her to my office, make sure she’s fine, and then hunt down her friend to take her home and never see her again.

It was the least he could do, considering that she had been assaulted in his club, right?

As he got her upstairs into his office, he closed the door behind him, shutting out the music, then gently sat her down on the leather lounge. He moved to the large window overlooking the dance floors. Most humans didn’t realize that the club had been split in two. There was a brick line running down the window; on the left side was the normal human side of the club, while on the right side was the supernatural side of the club, where all sorts of immortals and creatures came to relax, unbothered by the humans. Roman closed the blinds to give her some privacy and keep the beings on the other side of the club safe.

“Can I please have some water?”

Roman looked over at the golden-haired beauty he was now alone with. She sat on the couch, staring at him with those big, beautiful, almond-shaped eyes, seeming a little nervous.

“Of course,” he replied, walking over to the small fridge behind his desk and retrieving a bottle of water. His fingers brushed hers as he handed it to her, warmth flooding through him. “Are you okay, Charlotte? It is Charlotte, isn’t it?” he asked as he crouched down in front of her.

She leaned closer as she took the water, staring as if mesmerized by him. “Yes,” she whispered.

“Charlotte. What a beautiful name for a beautiful woman,” he whispered back, gently lifting his hand and brushing his fingers along her delicate cheek, unable to stop himself.

When had I gotten so close to her? he thought, as her breath fanned his face, the rise and fall of her chest quickening, drawing his eyes to her luscious breasts.

Need slammed into him as he slowly ran his gaze back up to land on her succulent lips. Before he could stop himself, he gently pulled her face to his, claiming those lips for his own.

Just one taste , he told himself, but as soon as their lips touched, a small moan escaped her. He knew it was over. When he tasted her, he groaned back in response to her decadent flavor, like he was sampling the heavens itself. He could taste the lingering chocolate from whatever shooters she and her friend had been slamming down, and it only made him want to taste her more.

Roman tilted his head, deepening the kiss so his tongue could explore more of her mouth. As he did so, he gently leaned her back, pushing her onto the couch, her breasts crushing against his chest.

Want to feel them so bad, he thought, wanting to tear his shirt off as well as her poor excuse for a top.

Instead, he settled for running his hands along her neck and then down to claim her breast. He could feel her nipples hardening through the thin material, making him groan in agonizing pleasure. Where had she been his whole life? She made his whole body come alive. He felt like he’d been in a numb haze for centuries, sleepwalking through life. But now, here in this moment, with this mortal woman, he was finally awake. His need for her consumed him, making him lose all sense of the world around them. Never, ever, had he craved or needed a woman as he did Charlotte. He didn’t understand it, but right now, he didn’t care to. He just wanted more of her.

“So beautiful,” he murmured as he gently kissed her neck, then blazed a trail down to her breasts.

Charlotte arched her back, moaning with pleasure. “Feels so good,” she gasped, her voice slurring as she threw her head back against the couch, giving him unspoken permission to do with her as he wished.

It was the slur in her speech that jerked Roman out of his lustful haze. He frowned, coming to his senses, the scent of alcohol overwhelming. How could he have let himself lose control like that? She was in no condition to make any rational decision for herself right now, he realized shamefully. He quickly stood, giving himself a shake. His body protested violently; his cock strained hard against his pants. He felt her loss immensely, his mind screaming at him to touch her warm body again, to steal just one more kiss. He growled at himself, frustrated.

“I apologize,” he told her, backing away as she quickly adjusted her top, her cheeks turning pink with embarrassment.

As she pulled down her skirt, he caught another glimpse of the black lace between her legs and stifled a groan. He hadn’t had the chance to touch her there. He’d lost control so fast. Her taste still lingered, his body almost shuddering at the loss of her touch, the loss of those plump red lips. His body was on fire.

“I’ll have someone find your friend and make sure you both get safely taken home,” he said, turning and bolting out of his office as fast as he could. “What the fuck am I doing?” he snapped at himself as he abruptly stopped outside, shutting the door behind him.

He had nearly taken her there on the couch when the poor woman had been physically assaulted less than fifteen minutes ago. Never in his life had a woman ever made him lose control of himself. There was something about her that made him forget himself. The fact that his eyes had glowed when she’d been hurt was a clear warning that he needed to stay away from Charlotte.

I need to get her out of here before I walk back in there and rip her clothes off, he thought, and God knew that wasn’t all he wanted to do. He could still taste her and feel her warmth.

“Where the fuck is my brother?” he mumbled, running his hand through his hair, annoyed at himself. He was acting like a horny human boy.

“I’m here, brother,” Maalik said as he made his way up the last of the stairs, stopping in front of him and looking him up and down.

Roman realized what he must look like. Charlotte must have fisted his clothes. His shirt was wrinkled, and half his buttons were undone.

Don’t remember that. Must have been when I was paying too much attention to her breasts, he thought, the image instantly filling his mind.

Maalik looked about as on edge as Roman was. He had messy hair, a strained face, and blood trailing from the corner of his mouth.

“I need you to find Charlotte’s friend and take her home immediately,” Roman snapped, running his hands through his hair. “Are you alright?”

Maalik nodded stiffly. “I will get Phoenix to do it. I can’t be near her friend right now.”

Roman stared at his brother. His whole body was tense, his eyes wild and black as the night. He seemed crazed, as if he were about to snap. Roman didn’t know what was wrong, but in that moment, his brother appeared every bit the dangerous predator he had been turned into. His vampire side seemed at war with his angel side, and he was pretty sure the vampire was winning. Roman slowly nodded, pointing to the corner of his mouth, casually giving him the heads up that he still had dinner on his face.

“Tell Phoenix he is to escort them home and then get his ass back here. The others will arrive any moment.”

Maalik nodded, running his hand roughly through his hair as he wiped his mouth with the other. His eyes closed briefly as he licked the blood from his hand, his body shuddering.

Roman was stunned at this public display. Never did Maalik openly drink blood in front of people. It was something he always did on his own time, away from the others. Away from humans. Maalik finally snapped out of his momentary bloodlust, glancing at Roman. He gave his head a small shake, pulling himself back together, eyes returning to their normal color. Roman ignored his behavior.

“And tell Phoenix he is not to touch Charlotte,” he added, his anger flaring at the thought of Phoenix trying to seduce her.

Maalik nodded, taking off down the stairs.

Roman watched his brother for a few moments, concerned at the odd way he’d acted. He’d never seen him this way, he thought, glancing back at the door to his office. All thoughts of Maalik disappeared as Charlotte’s image slammed into him. He knew if he went back in there, Charlotte wouldn’t be going home, so he turned and stalked away.

I need a stiff drink , he told himself as he stormed over to the bar.