Page 16 of Dead Devil's Playground
"Good," I purr, leaning into his touch. "That's the idea."
The elevator opens with a soft chime, and we step inside. Rev punches the button for the VIP level, and my stomach dips as we descend. The twins bracket me, their heat warming me on both sides, and I can feel the anticipation building in all of us. It's been weeks since we've taken a night for ourselves, too busy with the new club and the brewing trouble in our city.
The doors slide open to reveal the exclusive VIP section of the Lair. Music pounds through the floor, a heavy beat that vibrates in my bones. The space is dimly lit, plush couches arranged for maximum privacy while still allowing a view of the club below. Only a handful of people occupy the area—carefully vetted regulars who know better than to approach our private corner.
Camden stands near the entrance, eyes scanning the room. He nods once as we pass, and I catch the slight tightening around his eyes when they land on me. I blow him a kiss, just to watch him scowl.
The twins guide me to our usual spot—a curved booth in the corner with the best view of both the VIP area and the main floor below. A bottle of top-shelf bourbon already waits on the table, three glasses arranged beside it.
"Where's Hudson tonight?" I ask casually, sliding into the booth. The leather is cool against my bare thighs.
Rev pours the bourbon, the amber liquid catching the low light. "Down at the docks."
Ahh yes, the docks. We've had recent reports of rats of the human variety causing trouble down there. Some of our alcohol shipments have been tampered with, bottles going missing or being replaced with watered-down versions. Nothing too serious yet, but the kind of small-scale theft that grows into something worse if left unchecked. I've never allowed that kind of disrespect in my city.
"Anything I should be concerned about?" I ask, taking another sip of bourbon, letting it burn a path down my throat.
"Nothing Hudson can't handle," Kai replies, his fingers dancing along the rim of his own glass. "He's good at making problems disappear."
I nod, trying to ignore the slight twinge of disappointment. After our encounter earlier, I'd half expected Hudson to be shadowing me tonight. Below us, the club is packed, bodies writhing on the dance floor like a single organism, pulsing to the rhythm of the music.
The beat changes, something darker and heavier filling the space. I feel it in my chest, in the soles of my feet, and suddenly I'm restless. I need to move, to lose myself in the chaos for a while.
I down the rest of my drink in one swallow and stand. "I'm going to dance."
Kai's hand wraps around my wrist before I can step away. "No, you're not." His voice is soft but firm. "Not tonight."
I arch an eyebrow, challenge flaring. "Excuse me?"
Rev sets his glass down, his dark eyes fixed on mine. "We're keeping you close tonight, baby girl. After this morning's stunt, you don't get to wander off."
I open my mouth to argue, but Kai is already on his feet, tugging me against him and directing us to the mostly empty VIPdancefloor. "Dance up here," he murmurs, his lips brushing my ear. "You know I love how you move against me."
The heat of his body against mine sends electricity down my spine. Rev moves behind me, caging me between them, and suddenly dancing downstairs seems like a distant concern.
"Fine," I concede, letting my body relax against Kai's. "But you better make it worth my while."
Kai's laugh is a dark promise against my skin. "Oh, we will."
The music pulses around us as we begin to move. It's been too long since I've let myself go like this—too many responsibilities, too many threats to manage. I forget sometimes how good it feels to just exist in my body, to let the rhythm take over.
Kai's hands slide down to my hips, guiding my movements against him. Behind me, Rev presses closer, his chest a solid wall against my back. We move as one entity, three bodies perfectly in sync, and I feel the tension of the day melting away under their touch.
Kai's eyes are dark with hunger as they lock on mine. He leans in, capturing my lips in a kiss that tastes like bourbon and sin. When he pulls back, his smile is wicked. "I love watching you let go," he murmurs. "You never take enough time for yourself anymore."
It's true. Running an empire from the shadows—no matter how legitimate—leaves little time for simple pleasures. Dancing with my men, feeling their hands on my body, the music pounding through me—it's a luxury I rarely indulge in these days.
Rev's lips find the sensitive spot behind my ear, and I shiver. "Keep moving, baby girl," he growls, his hands spanning my waist. "Show us how that body works."
I laugh, the sound bubbling up from somewhere deep inside me, and let my head fall back against his shoulder. The music shifts again, something slower but no less intense, and I roll myhips in time with the beat. Kai's eyes darken as he watches, his grip tightening on my thighs.
We dance like this for what feels like hours, lost in our own world. The bourbon flows, and the music carries us, and for a little while, I forget about the threats looming over us. I forget about Fifth Street and mysterious enemies and the weight of ruling a city. I'm just a woman dancing with the men she loves, and it feels like freedom.
Until I notice her.
She's blonde and leggy, with a dress that leaves nothing to the imagination. Her eyes are fixed on Rev like he's the last meal she'll ever have, and she's moving closer to our corner with deliberate intent. I feel my hackles rise, the pleasant buzz of alcohol sharpening into something harder.
Rev hasn't noticed her yet, too focused on the way my body moves against his. But Kai has—I can tell by the way his eyes narrow slightly over my shoulder. He doesn't seem concerned, merely amused. After all, this isn't the first time someone's been stupid enough to try.
