Page 9 of Desperate Vows

She stood and lifted her chin. “Consider it done.”

“I’d say don’t kill anyone, but we both know you won’t listen.” I smiled.

Her lips curved up. “Do you have a tux ready for tonight?”

I shook my head.

“It’ll be ready when you get home.”

“Thank you, Thea.”

She rounded the desk and stopped in front of me. “Do you want me there?”

“No, Claire saw you earlier today. I don’t want them to think we’re making any moves. We aren’t ready yet.”

“All right. I’ll see you later, Lucas.” She walked to the door and paused. “Be careful. I’m not the only snake out there.”

I acknowledged the warning as she walked out of the office. If nothing else, I’d witness Claire interacting with Franklin. Perhaps that’d tell me what I needed to know without ever asking a question.

The thirty-minute drive to Nocturnal gave me too much time to think, and most of my thoughts centered on Claire. I couldn’t understand why I was fixating on her. She was a Benoit. That alone meant she couldn’t be trusted.

She’d told me not to believe Franklin, but I didn’t have any reason to believe her either. I’d seen the fear in her eyes, though. The way her body and voice trembled. There was frightened, and then there was terrified.

No matter how many times I told myself that there was no such thing as coincidence, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Claire had no idea her father would be darkening the doorway of my restaurant. Then again, what if they’d rehearsed that encounter? Trying to make me lower my guard, make me think I could trust one of them?

By the time I arrived at the party, my head was killing me, and I was no closer to figuring out what I believed. My decision to attend against the wishes of Ari and Alexander nagged at me. Their reservations were understandable, and we’d already lost enough people. They didn’t want to lose me. I got it, but they didn’t make the promise that I made to Mom… to destroy Benoit. It felt like he was being handed to me on a silver platter. I just needed to be careful of the C4 strapped to the underside of it.

I wasn’t sure what I was expecting, but this unassuming brownstone wasn’t it. I’d have driven by completely unaware this was where Franklin and his ilk met, especially with a name like Nocturnal. I’d expected something more gritty-looking.

I was greeted by a woman—make that a girl, I realized as I got closer. There was no way she was legal, and she had on a skimpy outfit that would have earned Thea a reprimand and a demand for a clothing change. What was this little girl doing out here at this club? The answer to that question sickened me, and it was hard to ignore the urge to sweep her off her feet and get her out of there. She should be home with her parents, doing homework.

Yes, I valued her life, but there were others out there in Benoit’s organization just like her, and this was one for the many. I tried not to look at her as I walked in. The sadness, dejection, and fear couldn’t be ignored. What was worse was that I used to trade in this.

When I point my finger at Franklin and call him a monster, I had four pointing back. If it wouldn’t devastate my little sister, I might find a way to take myself out with Franklin. Two devils getting their due at the same time. I wouldn’t even pray for absolution as I went.

Pushing the painful thought away, I stepped inside. It was darker, much darker than the outside would suggest. No, oppressive was a better word. Demons lived here. I knew because the ones lurking in this place were old friends of mine.

“Lucas,” Franklin greeted me almost immediately and shook my hand. “I’m glad you could make it.”

The man I met earlier today and the man standing in front of me were two different people. Senators, members of Congress, and other influential people were the reason for the change. Franklin was playing the part of Dr. Jekyll tonight, but I saw Hyde just below the surface.

“I couldn’t, in good conscience, turn down such a gracious invitation. Thank you for welcoming me into your club.”

“Why don’t I introduce you to a few of my closest friends?”

As he was introducing me to some of the guests, I spotted Claire, and her back was turned to me. She was…making me wish I could skip the introductions.

The demur little librarian from earlier today had turned into a siren. Claire Benoit was the rose under the glass in a room full of over-made, over-teased, mundane women.

The floor-length red dress she was wearing popped against her creamy white skin, and the back plunged almost indecently. It hugged every curve and defied gravity. I imagined rubbing the back of my hand along her spine and relishing the feel of her soft skin against my calloused hands.

The more people Franklin introduced me to, the thinner my patience wore. I had yet to see Claire from the front, and the curiosity was killing me. If she was as delectable from the front as she was from the back, I’d be taking a cold shower when I got home.

When I realized we were moving in her direction, it was all I could do to keep myself from bolting forward, grabbing her, and taking her somewhere much more private.

“Claire,” Franklin said.

She turned with the grace of a ballerina, and every thought I had was chased away. She was downright breathtaking. Shock registered on her face, but only for a moment. “Hello, Daddy.”

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