I exited the bathroom and struck a playful pose. “How do I look?” I asked.

“It’s about time,” Kade said, tucking his gun into his holster before glancing up. I did a little twirl for him, gratified when his eyes widened slightly.

“Holy shit,” he breathed.

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” I teased, giving him a similar once-over. He’d opted for black on black, big surprise, and looked so good I wondered exactly how much time we had before we had to leave . . .

Kade approached me, taking my hand and leading me to the table. “Let’s try and fit one more thing into that dress,” he said. “Put your foot on the chair.”

Wondering what exactly he could be doing, I obeyed, lifting my foot to the seat of the chair. Kade reached behind him, then inched my skirt even farther up my leg and fastened a thin knife sheath to the top of my thigh. His cologne drifted to me and I inhaled greedily.

“The knife isn’t big, but it’s sharp and it’ll do some damage,” he said, tightening the strap. I tried to focus on what he was saying and not on the feel of his hands touching me. His face was mere inches away and my eyes dropped to his mouth as he spoke. I must not have been that successful in concealing what I was really thinking, because he suddenly asked, “Are you even listening to me?”

I quickly nodded. “Of course,” I said. “Small but sharp. Got it.”

Kade’s lips twisted in a smirk as he gazed intently into my eyes. “Somehow I think your mind’s on . . . other things.” His fingers drifted farther up my thigh to lightly touch between my legs. I sucked in a breath, my nails digging into his biceps.

He leaned forward, putting his lips to my ear. “You look like you want to be fucked,” he murmured, sending my pulse into overdrive. He easily pushed aside the scrap of lace that covered me. I bit back a moan as a long finger pushed inside me.

“So wet,” he whispered against the skin of my neck. “Tell me you only get that way for me.”

But I couldn’t speak, my whole attention focused on the slow slide of his finger inside me.

“Tell me,” he repeated, withdrawing his finger. He brushed my clit, then circled the entrance to my body, teasing me. “Tell me you only want me.”

“Just you,” I managed to gasp. “I only want you.”

“Tell me no one gets you dripping wet like I do,” he said, his words a low growl in my ear. His finger slid inside me again and I clung to him, trying to stay on my feet.

I pried open my eyes to see Kade watching me. The expression on his face was fierce, his blue eyes blazing.

“No one makes me wet like you do,” I repeated, my voice breathless. “Only you can do this to me.” It felt freeing to say what he’d ordered me to say, as strange a dichotomy as that sounded. The words seemed to have an effect on Kade, too, because before I knew it, my panties were gone and he was unzipping his pants. A moment later, my dress was hiked to my waist and my back was pressed against the wall as Kade buried himself inside me.

It was hard and fast, and Kade’s tongue in my mouth kept my noises to a minimum. I came in a shuddering climax only seconds before Kade, then we were both panting for breath as he kissed his way down my neck. My legs were hooked around his waist and when I let my feet slip back to the ground, my knees trembled under my weight.

I heard the sound of Kade’s zipper as he put himself to rights and I tugged my dress back down.

“Gimme a minute,” I said against his mouth, his lingering kisses making me regret pulling away. I returned to the bathroom to clean up and put my underwear back on. My eyes were bright and my cheeks flushed, but I couldn’t make myself regret the immensely satisfying interlude with Kade. My body was humming with pleasure and I couldn’t help a satisfied smile as I reapplied my lipstick. It was good to know Kade was as susceptible to me as I was to him.

The plan seemed solid. Find this guy Lazaroff, figure out what he had on Keaston, confront Keaston, then Kade and I live happily ever after without having to look over our shoulders, and Blane is at last free from his uncle’s machinations and able to live his own life.

Of course, everyone knows what they say about the best-laid plans.

They always get shot to hell.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

The four of us checked out of the motel, then drove both cars to the location, what with Blane and Kade wanting to cover all the bases, and we met up on the sidewalk in front of the place.

Blane and Kade were dressed in suits that I knew cost thousands of dollars each. Kade wore entirely black—black slacks, black silk shirt, black jacket. Blane wore deep charcoal gray with an identical black shirt. Side by side, Kade with his inky-black hair and Blane with his dark blond, they looked mouthwatering, two sides of the same dangerous coin. The expensive fabric of their suits enhanced the hard edge of their collective presence, making them appear formidable and deadly.

Branna looked gorgeous in her silver dress and I noticed with more than a little envy that her waist was narrower than mine. She carried a small clutch bag and I wondered if she had a knife strapped to her thigh like I did.

Although the three of them had spent the afternoon planning, trying to think up all contingencies, the extent of my role seemed to be “stick close and don’t get hurt.” I hoped that would be as easy as it sounded.

“Ready or not,” Kade said in a little singsong voice, his lips twisting as he looked to Blane, who gave a curt nod, his expression much more grim than Kade’s.

The entrance was guarded by two huge guys, twins by the look of them. I ignored them as I hung on to Kade, his arm wrapped around my waist. Branna was similarly draped on Blane. Money changed hands and we were allowed to pass. We followed a third guy into an elevator with red fabric covering the walls. He didn’t speak and let us out on an indeterminate floor.

The hallway was shadowed, dark wood paneling the walls. Heavy, antique brass sconces glowed on the walls, lighting the way to a set of double doors with long, twisted wood handles. The carpet was thick and red, an oriental style that seemed vaguely out of place. It felt like we were going into a place run by vampires who took Hollywood stereotypes way too seriously.

Kade clasped my hand as he opened the door. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart, and sent up a prayer that we’d all be okay by the time tonight was said and done.

The room was full of people, the noise hitting us as we walked in. They surrounded what I could see were gaming tables. Not like in Vegas, with flashing lights and bells, but serious card tables that were for serious players. A few of the patrons looked our way when we entered, most taking a quick glimpse of Blane and Kade before returning their attention to whatever they’d been doing.

I could pick out the security guys immediately, especially since they didn’t seem to try and hide their presence. Big men, the guns attached to their hips visible, though all were dressed well, which seemed to be a theme. If I’d been worried we might be overdressed, that fear was immediately put to rest. The men were dressed in suits, and the women—a minority of probably one to ten among the men—were wearing dresses as slinky as mine or even more so.

I had a sneaking suspicion that most of those women were actually prostitutes. Nice.

Blane and Kade leisurely circled the room. I kept my eye out, counting the security guys and seeing if I could find any exits other than the doors through which we’d entered. A table with two empty seats sat in one corner and Kade headed toward it.

“Mind if we join you?” Kade asked those seated at the table in general, his smile thin, his eyes calculating. None of the men objected, so the dealer gestured for Blane and Kade to sit. Several pairs of eyes took in the cut of Blane’s and Kade’s suits, the Rolex on Blane’s wrist, the flash of metal at Kade’s side.