Page 78 of Angel Of Darkness

Not this place.

“If the stories are true,” he told her, voice deep, “this spot is one of Sam’s favorite hangouts.”

A place named Temptation? Packed with breasty strippers? Yes, she could buy it as a hangout for a fallen angel. Especially that Sam jerk.

Her gaze slipped to the stage. A woman was walking away, a woman with long blond hair and a confident, can’t-get-me stride. The men were staring after her in open-mouthed lust, but she didn’t look back.

Keenan pushed through the crowd. “There he is.”

Her head turned to the right. Yes, like she’d forget that guy. Sam was headed to the back, and he paused only long enough to yank open a “Staff ” door.

Keenan curled his fingers around hers and hauled Nicole with him. They were moving quickly, pushing through the crowd and?—

“What’s your rush, sweet thing?” A tall, muscled biker grabbed her left hand. “Why don’t you just stop to have some fun?”

She had stopped. He’d yanked her to a stop. “I’m not part of the entertainment,” she snapped. Did she look like one of the half-dressed chicks strolling around?

His hot gaze swept over her. “You could be.”

“No,” Keenan said very definitely. “She couldn’t be. Now get your hand off her or?—”

But the biker wasn’t letting go and the men sitting at his table all looked nice and pissed and ready to rumble.

The biker taunted, “Or what? You gonna make me let her go?”

Keenan’s left hand shot up and shoved against the biker’s chest. The guy flew back, about ten feet, and crashed into the side of the stage. The new stripper on the stage screamed, but the DJ kept right on playing.

“Yeah,” Keenan murmured. “I am.”

The biker’s buddies scrambled to their feet.

“You really don’t want to mess with me.” Keenan’s voice was flat. “But if you want to try…” He shrugged. “Let’s go.”

They didn’t try. They didn’t move.

Keenan inclined his head in a nod. “Then stay the hell away from us.” Then he was guiding her again as they headed for that closed door.

Hurrying, Nicole had to point out, “I could have taken him, you know.” Stop thinking I’m human.

His hand pushed against the wood, but he spared her a hard glance. “I know.”

“Then why?—”

“I was just in the mood to kick some ass.”

She shook her head. “You know, you just don’t sound like an angel.”

“Maybe I was never a good angel.” His eyes went flat and hard. “But then, humans have most of the lore wrong anyway. Most of us were created to punish and to kill.”

“And to protect?” Nicole whispered. Because Keenan was protecting her.

He didn’t answer. He shoved open the door and stalked down the narrow hallway. Half-dressed women filled the space. Some called out invitations as they glanced Keenan’s way. Nicole glared at them. Maybe she was in the mood to kick some ass, too.

“Sam!” Keenan’s voice boomed. “Get out here!”

But Sam wasn’t appearing.

A small guy with bright red hair and dark eyes eased from a shadowy corner. He was the same male Keenan had spoken with when they first came into Temptation. His name had been Ray or maybe Ron?

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