Seaside Sanctuary (Whisper Softly #2)

Prologue

The dance floor vibrated with the deafening beat filling the bar.

As usual, the nightclub was packed—Saturday night was party night, after all.

Colored lights pierced the dim room and bounced off the gyrating bodies crowding the dance floor.

The black walls and red accents throughout Visions, the hottest dance club in the area, gave the place a dangerous edge.

Some people were there for a good time, while others were looking for someone to hook up with for either short- or long-term companionship.

And for at least one person, it was the perfect place for hunting.

Glancing around, he searched for his prey. She was there somewhere, and hopefully, it wouldn’t take long to find her. Anticipation tingled through him.

Who’s the lucky lady tonight?

“Wanna buy me a drink?”

He turned and almost smiled at his good fortune. He didn’t have to find her—she had found him.

Her blonde hair was teased high, and heavy makeup covered her face. Trashy. Exactly what he was looking for. She was a little older than the women he usually preferred, but with her curvy body poured into that tight red dress, he could overlook her age.

Slipping easily into the heavy Southern drawl he used while hunting, he smiled. “Sure, darlin’. Order whatever you want. It’s on me.”

The woman giggled and asked the female bartender for a whiskey, neat. The man tossed a twenty onto the bar but avoided making eye contact with her. The staff was running nonstop tonight, and he doubted anyone would remember him, but it was always better to be careful.

“My name’s John,” he lied loudly into his target’s ear. “What’s yours?”

“Dafffne,” she slurred before downing the whiskey in a single swallow.

Perfect.

A thrill shot through him. Daphne was already thoroughly drunk, making this far too easy. A flicker of disappointment surfaced. Maybe next time he’d look for more of a challenge, but tonight, she would do nicely. No reason to turn down a gift dropped right in his lap.

He motioned for another refill and tossed a few more bills onto the dark oak bar before picking up the fresh shot and handing it to her. “Well, this just happens to be your lucky night, my lovely Daphne.”

She swallowed the honey-colored liquor and giggled even louder this time. Resting a hand against his chest, she stepped closer. “Why’s that, babe?”

“Because you met me, that’s why.” He flashed an easy smile. “What do you say we get outta here and have ourselves a private party?”

“What’d you haf in mind?”

She wobbled on her high heels and grabbed his shoulder. The whiskey was doing its job faster than he expected. She had gone from seductive to sloshed in under fifteen seconds.

Taking a clear plastic bag from his pocket, he swung it in front of her glazed eyes until her attention fixed on the tiny white pills inside.

She let out a drunken purr. “Oh, Johnny, you read my mind.”

“Well, come on then.” He nodded toward the rear exit of the club.

Hesitating, she glanced over her shoulder. “I shhhould let my frens know I’mmm leavin’.”

Her tongue was getting thicker by the minute. If he didn’t get her out of there soon, he’d have to carry her, and that would attract attention he didn’t want.

“You’ll never find them in this crowd. Come on, baby, I’ll have you back in an hour... tops. Let’s go have some fun.”

She seemed to think it over, her gaze dropping to the bag still resting in his palm. Her body swayed toward him, and he caught her around the waist before she lost her balance.

“Are you shursh?”

A knowing grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. “Positive. You can trust me.”

He guided her through the crowd toward the back exit while quietly humming “Luck Be a Lady” by Frank Sinatra beneath his breath.

Three hours later, as the club prepared to close, her friends complained that Daphne had disappeared without telling anyone she was leaving. At least she hadn’t been their ride home.