Page 70 of The Darkest Night

Chapter 33

Nikolai’s facegrew frosty as their cab pulled up outside an exclusive strip club near an intersection off West Broadway.

“Why didn’t we take the car the coven gave you?” Miles grumbled when he alighted from the vehicle.

Mae dragged her distracted gaze from the glitzy facade before them.

“Because I don’t want to owe them anything,” she told the sorcerer firmly. “Not until I know where I stand with them.”

Bryony had had her people deliver a brand-spanking-new SUV to her address just as they were headed out. It even came with car insurance and additional extras.

“They only mean to help,” Violet protested.

“I’m not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, but I doubt that favor came with no strings attached.”

From Nikolai’s expression, he agreed.

Mae became conscious of a battery of stares. The line of people outside the strip club was ogling her. She grimaced.

Have I got something on my face?

She realized their interest had been captured by something behind her. The women’s cheeks bloomed with color, their expressions growing hungry.

“I see you’re wearing the outfit I chose for you.”

Mae turned. Vlad was strolling down the sidewalk, a group of hulking bodyguards framing him. He wore a black, tailor-made suit and vest, the red buttons and jewel cufflinks matching his silk shirt and leather brogues.

The incubus looked like sin and smelled like heaven.

Vlad raked her figure with his gaze, his eyes telling her he liked what he saw. Mae told her libido to calm the heck down.

Great, now we look like a couple.

She sneaked a peek at Nikolai from under her lashes. The sorcerer was studying Vlad like he was making notes of vital points to sink a knife in later.

The outfits Vlad had dispatched for their outing had arrived courtesy of two somber-faced men who wouldn’t have looked out of place on an FBI crime watchlist. Mae fervently hoped Mrs. Son-Ha’s spies hadn’t seen them pay her a visit.

The red leather pants, black jacket, and dark sequin top she’d found inside the garment carrier intended for her had had Mae pursing her lips and wondering if Vlad’s powers included reading her measurements. The outfit fitted her like a dream and accentuated her slender curves in ways that made her appear more voluptuous than she was.

Even Violet’s trendy jeans and top and Miles’s casual-chic suit were a perfect match. As for Nikolai, Vlad’s choice made him look like some brooding, Wall Street king, his navy suit with its silver accents and cufflinks showing off his athletic frame and the matching boutonniere accentuating his eyes.

“Thanks for the gift,” Mae murmured.

Vlad ignored Nikolai’s icy stare and captured a handful of her hair. Her breath froze when he lifted it to his lips.

“Did you like the lingerie I sent you?”

Mae swore several women and even a few men in the line swooned. She bit her lip and flushed, recalling the racy items Vlad had included in her package.

Yoo-Mi would definitely faint if she saw those.

“Wait,” Violet whispered in her ear. “He gave you lingerie?!”

“Wow, this guy moves fast,” Miles muttered.

The cousins peeped at Nikolai. The sorcerer was clenching his jaw so hard Mae was surprised he hadn’t bitten his tongue.

Tarang smirked where he sat by Vlad, invisible to everyone but them. It was clear the tiger was proud of his handsome master. The creature tensed a little when Brimstone stepped out from behind Mae. Tarang lowered his head in deference to the beast.

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