Chapter 3
Emmeline
Fury was the bane of my existence.
So were men.
That’s why being here was a bad idea.
I had five seconds to reel in my anger before unlikely candidate number ten sat down.
“Hi,” he said, staring. “Wow. You are fucking beautiful. I can only clearly envision how you’d look writhing underneath me.”
“I beg your pardon?” This had to be a joke, a prop sent over by Donatello to make his point.
He was watching, his stare as close to a leer as the dangerous man could offer.
Some people within the family organization said the man had no conscience, no ability to feel guilt of any kind.
While I’d never seen him hunt, capture, and kill a man, I’d heard stories that should make my blood curdle.
Not this girl. I’d thought his acts of loyalty and bravery were delicious.
What was I doing? Being silly. The man was annoying on any day of the week.
“A decent icebreaker. I’m certain you’re heard every other line. I just wanted to be different.”
I glanced at the contestant’s nametag and sighed. There was something annoying about the name Bartholomew and I wasn’t certain why. “Well, you did that. Tell me, Bartholomew, what do you do for a living?”
“Surgeon.”
“Oh, saving lives must feel incredible.”
“Cosmetic surgeon.” Now I understood why he was scrutinizing my face. He was checking to see how much money he could make from working on me.
Evidently, I touched myself because he laughed.
“Don’t worry, Emmeline, you are perfect.”
A few seconds later, I realized he’d used my entire first name, not Emme that was on the nametag. My instincts were to grab my purse, which I did. After that, I yanked the sheathed Japanese dagger into my hand, finding the handle. “How did you know my name?”
My voice was gritty, threatening and the poor guy opened his eyes wide.
“I’m sorry. I just assumed. My sister’s little girl is named Emmeline and we call her Emme.”
Damn it. With rage in my mind, I threw Donatello a very nasty look. His crazed insistence I was in danger had made me an instant fucking maniac. That had obviously been his intention. “Ah, yes. A natural assumption.”
Poor Bartholomew was obviously a little freaked out. Maybe he even sensed I had a weapon in my hand. However, the guy made the cardinal mistake of reaching across the table and gripping my forearm.
A split second didn’t have time to pass before Donatello pushed his way off the wall, unbuttoning his jacket and preparing to reach for his weapon.
I shook my head so violently my speed date’s eyes opened wide. Bartholomew’s fingers curled and he jerked away as if burned to a crisp, even shoving back the seat the moment he’d thrown his head over his shoulder in Donatello’s direction.
The closest tables were suddenly paying attention to the mild ruckus. I always knew when someone noticed a weapon by the deer-in-the-headlights wide eyes they presented. Great. At this point, I would get Kylie and myself tossed out.
With exaggerated lip movements, I mimed ‘get out.’ Even for the handsome but annoying Italian, he should easily be able to read my lips. If not, I’d be happy to provide a more personal experience.
At least Donatello got the message, backing off. Like a vampire disappearing into the night. Maybe he could use his bat wings to fly away.
“I can tell we’re not suited. It was lovely to meet you.” Bartholomew backed away quickly, fading into the shadows of the bar. The poor guy would need tequila after the experience.
So would I.
Donatello was still on edge and once again, I shook my head, snarling even as the final date slipped onto the seat.
“Well, hello there,” I purred. Why not try to be nice?
The four minutes went by quickly and I was a free woman. Jerking up from the table, I was the first to drop off my score cards to be tallied then immediately headed for the bar.
Kylie joined me seconds later. “What’s he doing here?”
“You mean Thor?”
She giggled. “Donatello is not that bad. At least he’s one of the handsome ones. Given the way the two of you act around each other, I’d say it would be a marriage made in heaven.”
“And I’d say bite your tongue. He’s annoying.”
“He likes you.”
“Oh, please. We hate each other. Yes, he’s sexy, but he’s off limits. Plus, he is without a doubt the most irritating man I’ve ever met. He thinks he’s much smarter than I am.”
“Well, don’t worry. It would seem he disappeared.”
When she nodded toward the main floor, I casually glanced over my shoulder. Why was I holding my breath? Hoping he’d left or that he’d stayed?
Stayed.
If only to give him a longer piece of my mind.
“Well, thank God.” I grabbed yet another glass of wine while determining how best to handle the invasion of privacy with my brother. Alexander would get a piece of my mind.
“Let’s enjoy ourselves while the host tabulates the results. Should take a few seconds. They cram them into the system. Let’s grab a barstool.”
Kylie led us to the bar, which was just outside the commandeered room. While I still didn’t see any sign of Donatello, I knew instinctively he was present. He was like a raptor waiting to strike, a venomous snake on a hot summer’s day, a predator in the wild stalking his prey.
Still angry, I pretended like I was paying attention. When Kylie finally purred as I’d done a few moments before, I quickly learned why.
The speed date she’d seemed very cozy with was on his way over.
“I’ll see you later,” she said. “You’ll be alright?”
She meant even if I wasn’t chosen. “I think I can handle some alone time.”
“Even if you need to find a way home by yourself?” She was way too excited.
Her speed date was handsome. Now why had I bypassed him right away? I obviously wasn’t on my game. “Trust me. My car is only a couple blocks away. Go have fun.”
She allowed the hunk to take her arm and they were immediately chatting. Meanwhile, I turned around, my fingers tight on the glass.
Of my many odd abilities, one of them was to sense a presence even a few feet away. Every human being had a unique electrical vibe surrounding them. While I’d lost some of my ability to read a person’s identity from that alone, I always knew when someone was watching me.
Or stalking, whichever the case.
He moved closer, close enough his cologne gave him away.
“Alex.”
“It would seem we were paired together.” His voice was even deeper than before.
“Were we?” Very slowly, I turned around to face him.
While the bar’s décor was that of a witch’s lair twelve months out of the year, the eerie glow from black lights illuminating goblins and ghouls created an entirely different shimmer. His face appeared to be glowing, his expression darker.
More possessive.
Hmmm… He was even more interesting.
“Yes, and I must admit I’m pleased. Would you mind if I joined you for a drink?”
I took a deep breath. “Why not?”
The drink turned into a decent conversation, but I was beginning to think his actions were somewhat oppressive.
When I stood, so did he.
“Where are you going?”
Was his question tossed out more gruffly than it should be? Maybe. “Just to the ladies’ room. I’ll be right back.”
Alex seemed tense until I placed a hand on his chest. Then he was all smiles as he’d been before. While I’d almost found his dominating qualities tolerable, I’d learned enough about my personality to know when I said enough, it was enough.
I headed into the restroom, taking a couple of extra minutes, even refreshing my lipstick while I gained some perspective.
He was a nice man and we’d hit it off. What was wrong with suggesting we enjoy a coffee another day?
Convinced that was an excellent compromise, I headed into the darkened hallway.
What I hadn’t expected was to see Alex standing against the wall, waiting for me. Red flags went off.
“I thought we could hit another bar, maybe one that’s quieter.”
He didn’t seem possessive, merely a man asking a lady out on a date. “Honestly? I’m a little tired after tonight’s festivities. Why don’t we exchange contact information and we can try and grab some coffee sometime.”
“That would be great. I’ll walk you to your car.”
“Okay.” I was no fool about men. I also had no intention of providing him with anything but an email address that couldn’t be traced to where I lived or worked.
Until he passed a few tests, Alex wouldn’t learn any more about me.
His smile was genuine and I reminded myself Donatello was partially to blame for my extreme caution.
We headed to the door and he was perfectly polite, gently placing his hand in the small of my back.
However, once outside, we’d only taken a few steps when a car came close to the sidewalk. There was no danger of the driver hitting us, but he reacted. He caught me off guard, pushing me around the corner of the building to a less popular street and shoving me against the brick exterior.
“What the hell are you doing?” He was mere inches away, his fingers digging into my arm. My reflexes were instant and I had one palm shoved against his chest.
“Just keeping you safe. It’s a dangerous place out here. I suggest we go have that drink.”
Don’t punch him in the face. “You seem to forget I’m tired.”
He inched closer and now, I was uncomfortable. “And you seem to forget I’m not a man who’ll take no for an answer.”
Well, this had gone to hell in a handbasket quickly. “Alex, I don’t think so. In fact, I don’t think this is going to work out at all.” When I scooted around him, I realized he’d pulled me off the main road and away from the larger crowds for a reason.
He snagged my arm, whipping me back and against the brick with so much force, my breath was knocked from my lungs before I could make a sound.
“And I said we’re going to have a drink together. I know you, darlin’. I know exactly what you like and more important, what you need.”