Chapter Two

A grin lit her face when she saw her Jetta waiting for her in its parking spot, it was the one expense she had given in to. Her car represented freedom giving her the feeling she could go anywhere.

We can’t leave the planet.

The voice in her head reminded her that although she was human, it was alien. She was always the kid that stared at the stars at night and wished she could find a way to become part of NASA. In the back of her mind, she knew it wouldn’t happen, but she always told her friends that she was an alien. Maybe that’s why she didn’t have that many friends. As she grew older, she learned to keep those thoughts to herself, but even now she yearned to see what was beyond the stars.

At least it was the only voice that remained. She spent years putting the other voices to rest. They all slept affording her peace and quiet. At times she missed them, but then she reminded herself that if she wanted to make it in the real world, she had to blend in with the movers and shakers.

The feeling of being hunted tickled the area between her shoulder blades making her turn around to search the darkness for a pair of eyes. There was nothing, no one looking at her, but her senses insisted that just because she couldn’t see anyone didn’t mean she was alone.

She gave a tiny shrug and turned around to find Sage standing on the other side of her car.

“Hey, I didn’t see you there. Are you okay?” Sage lived in the last apartment on her floor. They never got along all that well, but it didn’t mean she wanted to see her beat up and that’s exactly what she was.

“He’s hitting you. I knew he was, but you always deny it.” She went around the car to look at her. “Let me help you, Sage. I can take you somewhere, get you away. Call the police.”

“No police, please. I’m taking care of this.”

“How by letting his fist use your face as a punching bag?”

Sage flinched, but she didn’t care, she was worried about her life.

“I have a plan. I’ll be long gone by morning, and I’m never coming back. Trust me, please. Don’t call the cops.”

“I have to do something I can’t just walk away from you looking like this.”

“I will be fine.”

“Sage, what are you doing, bring your ass back now.”

“Fire.” She stopped to look at her, waiting for her to tell her only her friends had the right to use her nickname. “Fire, if you really want to help me, pick up your phone if I call.”

“I will, I promise.”

“I promise I will escape tonight.” She ran off with her arms covering her ample chest so that she could move faster.

She picked up her phone and looked at it debating on whether she should call the police, but that had already been done. Sage always made an excuse, and they ended up leaving even though they didn’t believe her. She tucked her phone away and got into her car with a prayer that she wasn’t lying and that she would escape tonight. No matter what if she received that call she’d do everything she could to help her.

It took several deep breaths along with rapid blinking before she could pull out of her spot. She took a minute to look around, once again the area between her shoulder blades was itching.

There was no doubt about where she was going, right now she needed to see a friendly face. Her eyes went to the rearview mirror; there were headlights staying at a steady distance behind her. She slowed down to see if they would pass her but they slowed down and sped up when she did. The acid in the pit of her stomach burned her. These weren’t good times for black women or any women. She told herself she wasn’t scared, but she was lying. Maybe she was just imaging that someone was following her.

No, that car was following her and paranoia was raising its head to confirm her suspicions. This was not a voice she reminded herself it was just a feeling one that was screaming for her to be alert. What did it feel like to be hunted? Did your senses light up and make your body more sensitive to what was happening? She didn’t know, but she wanted to get to The Wolves Den, they would protect her.

She slowed as she came closer to the street the bar was on. The last time she came here her car stopped refusing to go any further. Ven, Deja’s adopted son, said she wouldn’t have that problem anymore. She hoped he was right as her foot hit the gas. Whoever was following her was about to turn down the street, and she didn’t want to be seen.

Her car moved forward smoothly picking up speed bringing a smile to her face. The car she thought was following her turned the corner and cruised down the street. She stopped not wanting to bring whoever it was to the club where her friend worked. The car got close to the intersection and then turned the side street like whoever was in the car couldn’t see her. What just happened? She turned around and never saw the vision of the street behind her disappear.

Her life felt like it was spiraling out of control but she didn’t know why. She drove on until she came to the club. The building in front of her looked like a grand gentlemen’s club which is why Deja probably didn’t call it a bar. The steps were wide and led up to a grand looking porch with a column on each side. The club had large wooden double doors as the entrance. They were thick and shined like they were polished every day.

She gave herself a once over look in the side mirror of the car feeling a little nervous. The outfit she was wearing was meant to get attention. The dress was short hitting mid-thigh, it was a vibrant red that made her skin pop. She paired it with black accessories to mute it just a little and a pair of heels. Her hands tugged on it making her think she should have went with something more sedate; then she remembered she was thirty and kicked thoughts of sedate to the curb.

She climbed the stairs and opened the door hoping someone was in there since it seemed so quiet. Sound assaulted her ears when she stepped inside. The club went quiet, the eyes of the men who were in there all focused on her. Talk about feeling like prey, every one of them looked like they could eat her up.

Tall, they were all tall and muscular. Had she inadvertently stepped onto the set of a calendar shoot? Where else would you find so many good-looking men in one place? She took another step, and the door closed silently behind her.

“Fire?” Deja came from around the bar running to her. She grabbed her in a bear hug. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

She tugged at her hand directing her to the bar.

“Cole, this is my friend Safire.” It was said loud enough, so that whole club heard her.

“Nice to meet you, Safire.”

“Fire, please. Any friend of Deja’s is a friend of mine. Nice to meet you also.” She gave him a big smile. Cole was a huge man and yet managed to look graceful behind the bar.

He reached out and took her hand giving it a firm shake. His hand was warm, but it left her cold. There was a small chill that went down her back. When it was polite, she withdrew her hand worrying about herself. Since when did a fine man leave her feeling chilly?

He’s not the right one.

The voice in her head had been telling her that all her life. It was the last thing she wanted to hear on her birthday.

“What would you like to drink?”

“First drink on me. Can I get a dance with that drink?” A teasing voice came from the crowd.

There was a low growl that stirred her stomach and made her pussy spasm, any thoughts of the voice teasing her evaporated. Instead, she looked for the animal that made the noise and wondered how she could be reacting to it. The animal she found stood on two legs with mesmerizing green eyes that caught and held her.

Her throat worked trying to say the world help, but nothing came out. She was dry and in need of a drink.

She kicked all her doubts to the curb when she looked at him. Today she was going to do whatever felt right to her.

“What are you drinking?”

Her eyes watched his perfectly chiseled lips move and wondered what they would feel like on hers. Was this lust at first sight? She had seen men before that she wanted or thought she wanted, but this intense attraction was catching her by surprise. Her body betrayed her as her nipples hardened from nothing but the sound of his voice.

He was tall seven foot at least. His dark brown hair fell over his forehead not quit touching his eyes. His skin was on the gray side, some sun and vitamin D should take care of that. Not that it mattered he was so sexy he could be tinman gray, and she wouldn’t care.

Her tongue came out to try and moisten her lips, no luck. “Umm, something sweet with a kick.”

“I have just the drink for you.” He strolled behind the bar ignoring both Cole and Deja as he made her drink.

He placed it on the bar and slid it to her using two fingers. Out of the corner of her eyes, she could see her friend reach for her drink while her male caught her. Maybe she should go with something she knew? Picking it up, she brought it to her nose taking a deep whiff of it. It smelled so good she had to try. She took a drink from it and moaned. This had to be the best-tasting alcohol in this club, and it had a nice kick that mixed with the heat in her stomach and made her want to climb the man in front of her. Would he want to come home with her?

“I love this. Can I have another?” She drained the glass and held it out.

“What’s your name?” He took the glass from her holding it in his hand.

“Safire, but my friends call me Fire. You can call me Fire; I’d love to burn you.”

“I don’t burn easily, Fire but your welcome to try. I think we need to switch your drink. What do you prefer?”

She just stared at him. She preferred the drink he made for her split all over his body so she could lick it up.

“Make her a daiquiri the cold will slow her down.”

“I like daiquiri’s.” She threw her friend a look that said tomorrow she had words for her, but tonight she wanted to get to know Mr. Tall, gray, and handsome. What was his name?

She’s just watching out for us.

That was enough to stop her in her tracks. She got rid of the voices years ago, ignore.

“I don’t know your name.”

“Declyn.”

“Declyn,” she said it slow and sexy. He moved subtly adjusting himself, and she smiled. It was very rare when she said to herself she had to have someone. Right now, she had to have Declyn, even if it was only for a night. He was calling to every voice, every need she ever had.

“I hope you like peach.” He handed her the daiquiri and then watched as she raised the glass to her lips.

“Dance?”

She nodded afraid she’d swallow her tongue if she tried to say yes. Declyn came around the bar and stretched out his hand; it felt a bit sinful to slip hers into his. His grip was firm and hot. His thumb casually caressed her hand as they walked onto the dance floor. He made a low comment to a man, then a slow sexy song played. He drew her into his arms holding her tight. Her extra curves didn’t seem to bother him.

His body rubbed against her providing proof that her curves were not a turn-off. She rested her head on his chest as her body went up in flames.

I love the feel of his arms around me.

You should be careful.

He won’t hurt us.

Says who?

She ignored the voices, they always told her they would be back one day. This must be what happens when you turned thirty.

“You’re holding me so tight.”

“Am I hurting you?”

“No, I like it. I just never had anyone hold me so tight.”

“Perfect.”

“Perfect?”

“Yes, I believe I will be a very jealous male when it comes to you.”

“Oh.” She tried to put some space between them as a picture of Sage’s face floated before her.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m not looking for a man to control me, abuse me, or make my life miserable.”

“I’m a very Alpha male, but you’ve already proven you’re a very Alpha female. So, I will try to control you; you will resist, we will clash and then make up. You will listen if your life’s in danger that’s not controlling that’s caring. I would never physically or mentally abuse you or abuse you in any other way. If your life is miserable, then mine will be too, that’s unacceptable.”

She tilted her head back and laughed. “You know you don’t get to keep me, right?”

“Who knows maybe you’ll want to keep me.”

Damn intriguing man, she already felt like a fly in a spider’s web, but she didn’t want to be free. Her head was pillowed on his chest while she was enjoying the heat and the thick muscles she was lying on.

“I’m not a very Alpha female,” she whispered not wanting him to give the wrong impression.

“Why do you think that?”

“If I were Alpha I would be working for some company doing a nine to five instead of making my way in the world by the seat of my pants. There would be people following me.”

People follow your website, looking for the next painting.

“I think you’re Alpha. I also think you’re beautiful.”

“Thank you, but this is your first time meeting me. Tomorrow after the alcohol has worn off will you say the same thing?”

“I saw you the day you came to warn Enzo and Ven what happened to Deja. I knew you were beautiful then. Also, I have not had a drink tonight. The only one slightly drunk is you.”

They broke apart when the beat of the music changed.