In his suite, Cortez informed her he had some business to take care of and would have to leave her for a bit. She was fine with that. There were things she needed to take care of anyway.

Before he left, he took her lips in a scorching kiss and then whispered in her ear that he had a surprise planned for her later.

She laughed and teased, “Well, it’s about time you stepped up your game.”

He replied with a heart-wrenching grin. “I haven’t even started.”

Her heart leapt at his words as her mind tried to work the statement with a key that didn’t fit. She couldn’t let herself read too much into it. It would only hurt her more in the end. Tonight was all they had.

Unless….

Could she confide in him? Could she trust him with everything? Her darkest secrets his to accept or exploit? Could she swallow her pride and ask him for help with the Twins? It was a lot to ask for. Exactly the type of thing a user would do. She couldn’t be like that. She couldn’t stand it if he saw her that way.

But what if…what if she could stay with him?

She planned to set aside some time to give it all some serious thought, but right now she desperately needed to feed her siren. She had threadbare control as it was. Without Cortez here to distract her with his glorious body and seductive words, she was ready to snap.

After a quick shower, she changed into one of her Kenzi-shopping-spree outfits and then retrieved the dress meant for Goldie as a replacement for the one she—ahem, Cortez—had ruined.

In the elevator, she checked her phone. Cole hadn’t replied to her text yet.

The lobby was peppered with people lounging on sofas, waiting for a particular show to start in one of the sections of the club. Others lined up at the front desk, checking in for the night. A large-bellied man with a rutty face and two giggling women in evening gowns entered the elevator she’d just vacated. She’d have wished the trio a good night if she wasn’t trying so hard not to burst out in song and suck away their energetic life-forces. It was early yet, and this crowd wasn’t big enough to fulfill her needs. She’d only overdo it and potentially drive them insane….

Then she’d be trapped in a room with wild-eyed patrons drawn to the source of their madness. Cortez would certainly wonder what she was then…if she survived the melee.

She needed to hurry. Dante’s place should be pretty packed by the time she arrived, and would be more conducive to her needs. Before speaking with Dante, she’d take the stage and re-fill her energy, get her fix without taking too much from any one person.

Outside Ever Nights, the sky was dimming to that rich evening blue that heralded the night. Her skin itched in the dry air. Goosebumps fanned out over her arms. She rubbed them, trying to shake away a sudden, inexplicable feeling of dread. Something was off. She felt odd.

I’ve waited too long. Any second now I’ll lose control.

She hurried off in the direction of The Pit, her heels clacking with each step. The walk seemed a thousand miles long, and her resolve was tested a couple times; once when she passed a homeless man, tempting her to break her silence, then again when she crossed paths with a horde of teens loitering in a park. Both times she’d clenched her teeth and held her breath, fighting past her macabre urges.

It had never been such a relief to see that cracked, gravelly asphalt and flashing broken sign that read DAN E’S IT.

Naia hurried past Fred, the bouncer. He gave a curt nod, and then said something into his radio.

Inside, her mouth dropped. She’d never seen the place so stuffed with people—standing room only. A little unexpected, but oh so perfect. She overheard a conversation about ticket prices and missed opportunities. Someone else mentioned Ever Nights. Was there a coveted event happening there tonight? Whenever Ever Nights put on a huge show, The Pit got some of the spillover.

On stage, one of the exotic dancers who’s name Naia couldn’t remember, Shannon or Sharon maybe, was in the middle of a striptease. Off to the side, the mic used to announce each act was waiting as if just for her. She didn’t even plan to ask, she’d just run up there and do her thing when Shannon/Sharon finished up.

Unfortunately, she never got her chance.

A big, meaty hand gripped Naia by the arm and yanked her back. She stumbled at the unexpected momentum and swiveled her head to see that it was Dante, dragging her to his office. Inside, he shut the door, and then roughly plopped her into the chair across from his desk.

“What did you find out?” His raspy tone was half demanding, half threatening. Dark eyes bore into hers, and she audibly swallowed. Had he always been this menacing?

“I-I haven’t found anything.”

Both brows lifted nearly to his hairline before drawing together above his narrowing eyes. He placed both his hands on her armrests and then leaned in, too close for comfort. “You haven’t found anything?” The words were almost a snarl, too aggressive to be a question. “Have you even been looking?”

“I did…a little.” He sneered at that, but before he could say anything more, she rushed out, “You were right. He was interested in me. He, uh, took me away from the club for a few days. I could hardly say no. We just got back today.”

Dante took that in for a moment, then, eyes flashing, he smiled in a way that made her shiver, his fangs on full display. To her relief, he backed off and took the seat behind his desk. “He found you irresistible, did he?”

For the moment. She nodded

He laughed. “So predictable.” His hard gaze settled on her again. “If you have nothing for me, then why are you here?”

“I was hoping to work a shift tonight.”

He leaned back and steepled his fingers. “You’re here to waitress for me?”

“To sing,” she corrected. “I need some money, you see, and I need to keep my vocal cords strong. Cortez likes having me around, but he won’t give me a job. I still have bills to pay and—”

“Darling girl. Why didn’t you just say so?” He reached in a drawer and retrieved a wad of cash. Several hundreds landed on the table in front of her.

She gazed at the bills as though they were a nest of snakes ready to strike. A sour sensation churned in her stomach.

“Not enough?” He licked his fingers and counted out more bills.

“It’s not that. I…I don’t think I can keep spying on Cortez.”

Dante went still mid-count, staring at her as though he hadn’t heard her correctly. Or maybe he expected her to retract the statement under his threatening glare.

“The money is generous...but it’s just not worth the risk. I’m not cut out for spying on people. And I can’t stand the lies. I don’t want to do it anymore. I can’t. It’s not right. Besides, I don’t believe there’s anything for me to find, anyway. I mean, I think his business dealings are pretty clean.”

“Nonsense. There’s definitely something for you to find. You just need to look, you silly girl.” Another flash of his fangs had her pulse revving.

He stood and scooped up the cash, sidestepped the desk, and pulled her to her feet by the arm. He led her back through the throng of people, her siren gnawing at her insides, and ushered her out the front door where the night crushed in around her.

He shoved the cash into her palm. “You have a job to do, and you will do it, won’t you?”

“I…”

“This isn’t a request.” His fierce expression was reminiscent of her nightmare, only this was no dream. A primordial urgency took over, an undeniable primal awareness of prey to predator. Except this wasn’t some primitive trick of the mind. This was bonafide instinct screaming to be heard. Her sense of self-preservation forced a slow nod. She realized if she didn’t do as he asked, he might actually hurt her.

“Good girl. Start with the basement, where the vampires feed.” He whirled her around by the shoulders and sent her on her way, patting her on the ass for good measure.

Woodenly, she took one step in front of the other, absently clutching the cash to her chest. As the sudden sense of danger tweaked her nerves, the siren in her went mercifully quiet. Thank God, because she had so much more to worry about now.