Page 60 of In Prey We Trust

“Negotiate with me, my King. I’m ready to plead my case.” Her eyes twinkle as she puts her hand on her hip, arching her back a little in a move that probably works on my brother.

Hell, if it wasn’t so dangerous in this joint, it’d probably work on me; who am I kidding?

“One, do you have your knife?” She nods and I frown, wondering where the hell it’s stowed. “Two, I need you to stay where I can see you, no matter what. Even if I’m not close by, I have to be able to see where you are.”

“Got it. Stabby weapon, stay in sight. Anything else?”

Rolling my eyes, I sigh heavily. I have to be crazy doing this shit, but I’m still going to have Fitz tip the media off once we’re inside. “We see the soft Dolly at home, but here? You need to be Delores Drew, heir to Lucille Drew’s throne. No mercy, no favors, and no quarter—otherwise, there could be trouble.”

Her bright red lips spread into a knowing grin and I watch as her posture changes immediately. The warmth in her expression and tilt of her head turn regal as she gazes back at me with an arched brow. “Like so?”

She looks like she’d stab a bitch with her heel, so yeah, that’s what I asked for.

“Excellent. Come inside with me and we’ll see what trouble we can get into.” Taking her arm, I transition to my own ‘Khan heir’ deportment as we stalk to the entrance of the bar quickly. I open the door for her, letting her make the entrance I knew she would before I step in behind her.

“Your Majesty,” the bartender dips his head and I sneer.

“Where are the rings?” I bark without acknowledging his misstep. My father would have him killed for calling me that and most non-Khans know it. It’s his favorite trap and most cruel test of loyalty—which King do they acknowledge.

“Down the hall, through the curtain, and take the elevator to the ground floor,” someone offers from the crowd.

Dolly doesn’t speak, just surveys the room as I give them a sharp nod. Once we move, the noise resumes in the bar and I lead her down the cramped hallway. “See what I mean?” I whisper.

“Yep. Act like royalty and be feared like royalty,” she responds. “I know what to do.”

Good thing she does because I’m not sure I know what the fuck I’m doing at all.

Animals

Delores

Felix couldn’t have surprised me with his date choice if he’d donned a grass skirt and done the hula. I mean, he’s always the one bitching about letting me put myself in danger. This is decidedly not safe and our lack of backup makes it even more dodgy. But he looked sincere when he said he wants to trust me, so I’m following his rules for the moment. I don’t mind his bossy, royal ‘Sir’ stuff if he’s not being a dick and the dominant thing is fucking hot in the bedroom.

Control is Felix’s weakness, and for now, he can have it.

We step into the elevator and my tiger cuts his eyes up briefly to let me know there’s a camera in here. I clocked it when I walked in because Fitz has been teaching me about stealth and being aware of my surroundings is lesson one. We haven’t gotten to lesson two yet because he’s waiting until I’ve honed my skills to his satisfaction and, much like his brother’s bossiness, I like Fitz the spicy teacher. Nodding imperceptibly, I move closer, facing my date and straightening his collar. It doesn’t need it, but he takes that moment to lean in and brush his lips against my ear.

“You need to behave down here, Princess. Remember, I don’t need saving, even if it looks like I do. Everything has a purpose.”

My facial expression doesn’t give away what he said, instead I tip my head back and close my eyes as if he’s being naughty. That’s a much more interesting picture for anyone watching security, even if it goes public somehow. I don’t know what Felix thinks we’re going to find out in this place, but there has to be more to our trip than letting me put on a show for a bunch of criminals. I turn my head to nuzzle his cheek briskly so I can reply.

“I’ll do everything exactly how Lucille would; cross my heart.”

That covers a broad spectrum of crimes and punishment, but he doesn’t need to know that yet.

“Good girl,” he says before his teeth sink into my earlobe firmly.

I shudder, cursing the effect of his tone on my barely there undergarments. My pants are tight enough that any friction will drive me crazy, but he’s not even touching the money spots. Evil, evil king. Pulling back, I pretend to air kiss his nose and stand tall as we reach the bottom floor where the doors open. Before I move, I scan the scene while Felix holds the doors open, noting everything I can until I stride out. His lips curl for a moment, then he offers his arm as we walk into a cavernous underground with gambling tables, a bar, TVs hanging from the ceiling, and an enormous sunken area halfway to the other end that must be the fighting ring.

This place runs under the bar and most of the parking lot outside, I realize suddenly. They’ve put a strip mall full of seedy shit on top of their highly illegal operations underground. No one would assume this place is down here unless they knew and the amount of money lying on tables, being counted by roving cashiers or bet on the fights has to be astronomical. There are easily three hundred slimy assholes—both rich and poor—assuaging their addictions in this weird cave of vice.

I feel eyes on me as we walk past the roulette table, so I look over at Felix with a haughty smirk. “Where shall we start tonight, darling?”

The yellow of his tiger flashes at me, and he cocks his head to the ring. “I’m feeling bloodthirsty tonight, Princess.”

Something about the way he responds trips my wires, but I nod, allowing him to lead me over to a booth by the entrance. Felix arches a brow at the cougar running the gate and the cat swallows hard, scrambling out of his chair to find someone else. I’m not sure what’s going on yet, but apparently, lowly mountain cats don’t serve the king.

“Excuse me.”

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