Page 102 of Blood & Lace
“Yes.” I laughed. “You coming, then?”
He stared at me. “Fuck yes, bella!”
My chest clenched. How was I supposed to ever get rid of him when he made that face at me? It was pure bliss. And I wanted to capture it in a bottle and snort it whenever I got sad. I was really screwed.
*********
The lights were low, the night was young, and the chatter was already flowing as Onyx stepped into the party with Lucero on his arm. For once, he’d gone masculine. Well, with his own spin. The suit was fitted, tailored. There was no shirt beneath his jacket; his chest down the middle is on display. And of course, he wore his heels. Why not? He didn’t give a fuck what anyone thought of his gender. And he was more comfortable this way. Especially with Lucero by his side.
As they walked around, Onyx talked to Lucero quietly. He was surprised, his husband was actually good at talking quietly, even as his head stood above everyone else in the crowd. That probably shouldn’t have made him proud.
It did.
Onyx picked up a glass of champagne and drank it as he walked around. He noticed Lucero didn’t.
“You don’t want a drink?” I asked.
“I don’t drink much,” he said. “And even if I did, I wouldn’t do it here. I have to make sure you’re safe.”
My body shivered. I’d never had anyone to look out for me. Well, my mother had before she passed, but ever since then, I had been on my own. My heart did a stupid flip and my stomach felt funny. I laid a hand on it as I walked around, chatting, laughing, flirting. Work.
When I went back to Lucero, he snatched me against his side. I glanced up in surprise at him.
“Don’t flirt so hard,” he snapped. “I almost broke that man’s neck.”
I grinned. “All I did was ask how he was.”
“No,” he growled. “It was the way you said it,” he bit out. “Don’t make me cause a scene.”
Hot. No, Onyx no.
I cleared my throat. “You’re a little crazy.”
“You say that all the time,” he said.
“Just have to point it out so you know.”
“Everyone says it,” he muttered. “But if one of these bastards touch you and they’re not a target? I’m smashing their face into the asphalt out back.”
I choked on my second glass of champagne. “What has gotten into you?” I asked.
Lucero looked around and shrugged. “You ever just get a feeling something’s not right?”
“Yeah,” I said. “Not right now, though. Sure you’re not just being overprotective?”
“Maybe,” he said with a sigh. “There’s Nash. I’m going to check the perimeter reports with him.”
Okay, I had to admit it: Lucero was pretty damn hot when he was working. He was all hulking muscle, scowl, and seriousness. I’d never seen anything but his crooked smile, and him on his bullshit. It was sexy.
“You go do that,” I said. “I have to pee so bad it’s not even funny.”
Lucero was about to move, but then stayed still. “Can I go with you?”
“Is it for something perverted?” I asked, narrowing my eyes at him.
He was quiet. “Yes.”
“Then no.” I laughed. “Go talk to your brother. I’ll be right back.”
