Page 13 of Toxic

Hawk doesn’t even spare him a glance. His eyes are locked on me, a predatory gleam in their depths. “Leave us, James,” he commands, his voice brooking no argument.

As James scurries away, Hawk approaches my table. The air between us crackles with tension with unspoken challenges and barely restrained desire.

SIX

The discreet entrance of the Pleasure Den looms before me, a portal to a world of shadows and secrets. I adjust my cufflinks, a subtle gesture of control before I step into the realm where control is both currency and illusion. The doorman, a stone-faced sentinel, nods imperceptibly as I approach. No words are necessary; my presence here is expected, anticipated.

As I descend the dimly lit staircase, I feel the weight of the mask in my hand. Sleek, black, with minimal embellishments – a reflection of my own carefully cultivated image. I place it over my face, feeling the cool leather against my skin. It’s a second skin, really, another layer of the armor I wear every day.

The Den unfolds before me, a tapestry of opulence and mystery. Candlelight flickers, casting dancing shadows on ornate walls. The air is thick with the scent of exotic spices and top-shelf liquor, a heady mix that speaks of indulgence and excess. Soft jazz mingles with electronic beats, creating an otherworldly ambiance that sets my nerves on edge.

My eyes scan the room, taking in the masked figures that glide through the space like specters. But they’re all irrelevant, mere background noise. I’m here for one person, and one persononly. Devin. The woman who’s become an obsession, a riddle I’m determined to solve. My sources confirmed her presence, but in this sea of anonymity, finding her will be its own game.

I move through the crowd, my senses hyperaware. Every brush of fabric, every murmured conversation could be a clue. A woman in a zebra mask sidles up to me, her hand trailing along my arm.

“Looking for company tonight, handsome?” she purrs, her voice dripping with invitation.

I don’t even spare her a glance. “No,” I reply, my tone cold and final. She recoils as if slapped, melting back into the crowd.

Then, across the room, I see her. Even behind the delicate black mask adorned with intricate silver filigree, her presence is unmistakable. Devin moves with a confidence that sets her apart, her lithe form draped in a dress that seems to shimmer with every movement. The deep crimson fabric clings to her curves, the slit up one thigh offering tantalizing glimpses of skin with each step.

A familiar surge of desire wells up inside me, hot and urgent. My body responds instantly, a primal reaction I can barely control. I want to cross the room, to claim her in front of everyone. To let everyone know she’s mine. But I tamp down the urge. We’re playing a game of shadows and whispers tonight, and I intend to savor every moment.

She’s in her element here, and it’s intoxicating to witness. But then, a disruption. James Holbrook, a long-time business associate I’ve never particularly liked, approaches her. His body language is unmistakable – the slight lean in, the too-wide smile visible even beneath his gaudy gold mask. His hand reaches out, touching her wrist.

White-hot rage flares in my chest, consuming me. Holbrook is a known womanizer, and the sight of his hands on Devin makes me want to tear him limb from limb. I imagine thesatisfying crunch of his bones breaking under my hands, the way his eyes would widen in terror as he realized his fatal mistake. It takes every ounce of control not to storm over and end him right there.

But I force myself to wait, to observe. This is a test – for her, for me, for us.

Devin’s reaction is perfect. She’s polite but distant, her body angled away from Holbrook in a subtle rejection. I hear her cool reply, “I make it my business to know many things. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I prefer my own company.” Pride mingles with my possessiveness. She’s not interested in his advances, but the very fact that he dared approach her, touch her, makes my blood boil.

It’s time to intervene.

I move through the crowd like a predator stalking its prey, people instinctively parting before me. My eyes are locked on Devin, a hunger I can barely contain burning within me. As I approach, a hush falls over our corner of the room. I feel the shift in the air, the prickling awareness that spreads through the gathered guests.

Holbrook opens his mouth to speak, but his words die on his lips as he notices me. Recognition flashes in his eyes as he takes in my mask. He knows who I am, even if he doesn’t know why I’m here. Good. Let him feel the fear.

“Raptor,” he says, his tone full of nervousness. “I didn’t realize you’d be here tonight.”

I don’t even spare him a glance. My eyes are fixed on Devin, drinking in every detail of her. A predatory gleam burns in my gaze as I command, “Leave us, James.”

As Holbrook scurries away like the insect he is, I approach Devin’s table. The air between us crackles with tension, unspoken challenges, and barely restrained desire.

I extend my hand, falling easily into the charade. “It’s rare to see new faces here. I’m Raptor.”

Her hand slides into mine, cool and soft. The touch sends electricity racing up my arm.

“Silver,” she responds, playing along seamlessly.

The irony of the moment isn’t lost on me. We both know exactly who the other is, yet we dance this delicate dance of pretense. It’s exhilarating.

“Care to dance?” I offer my arm, curious to see if she’ll accept.

There’s a moment of hesitation – real or feigned, I can’t be sure – before she places her hand in the crook of my elbow. “Lead the way.”

On the dance floor, our bodies move in perfect synchronicity. It’s as if we’ve done this a thousand times before, which, in a way, we have. Every encounter, every subtle manipulation has been its own kind of dance. But this... this is different. The heat of her body so close to mine, the scent of her perfume – something exotic and spicy – filling my senses. It takes every ounce of control not to pull her flush against me.

“You move with confidence,” I observe, my voice low, rough with barely contained desire. “Have you been here before?”

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