Page 20 of Embrace Me Darkly

“We need Lissa’s help.”

“She’s not running a charity or a hospital.”

He took a step forward, his temper rising. “Dammit, Marco. As often as I come here? As often as I look the other way?” He noticed the slight widening of the security guard’s eyes. “I’m just saying that I’d think you’d cut me some slack. At least let me talk to her.” He spread his hands and grinned. “I mean, come on. I’m practically family.”

In front of him, Marco looked ready to spit nails. But Doyle couldn’t tell if he’d convinced the gatekeeper or not.

It didn’t matter. He recognized the voice that spoke from behind him. “It’s okay, Marco.”

He turned to see Lissa, standing calm and poised as always, her pale blue eyes studying him. Without a word, she gave him her back, then started heading for her office, her blood red gown sweeping the floor as she moved past the bar and the dancers toward the back rooms that were so damn familiar to him. She didn’t go that far, instead climbing the stairs that hugged the north wall.

They followed, Tucker silent behind Doyle, and Sally’s breath coming in ragged gasps in his arms.

Lissa opened the door to her office, her arm sweeping in invitation. “Put her on the couch.” She indicated a silk sofa that complemented two armchairs as well as an ornate wooden desk.

She settled into one of the chairs, crossed her legs, and waited.

“I took too much,” Doyle said, hating the words, but not willing to dance around the topic. He nodded toward Sally, now half-sprawled on the sofa between him and Tucker.

As he spoke, her eyes fluttered open, then narrowed when she saw Lissa. “The fuck are you?” The words were barely a whisper.

“I’m Lissa.” Her voice was soft, as gentle as a breeze.

“Oh. Okay, then.” The eyes fluttered shut again.

“I didn’t mean to,” Doyle said, forcing his voice to stay steady. “I was working a case, and—”

She held up a hand. “You don’t have to tell me. But I do want to know why you brought her here. She’s human. There’s nothing I can do for her, and we both know her soul will grow back.”

“Maybe. But fast enough?” Doyle asked. “She’s a streetwalker.”

He saw understanding in Lissa’s face. Humans abused their souls all the time. Sally had most likely burned through most of hers even before Doyle came along.

“What’s her name?”

“Sally,” Doyle said as Tucker leaned forward, then added, “Can’t you help her along?”

Lissa shook her head. “There’s nothing I can do for a human except take a soul. Only she can restore it.” She glanced toward Sally, her eyes full of compassion. “But I can give her a job. Keep her here. Nurture her until she is whole again. And then she can decide if she wants to stay or go.”

Doyle forced himself not to show the extent of his relief. “You’re a good woman, Lissa.”

She arched a brow. “Am I?”

“In my book you are. You ever need anything, you know you can count on me.”

A smile touched the corner of her mouth. “And you know I never count on anyone but myself.”

ChapterSeven

Stay.

Her voice hung between them in the room, her head tilted back though her body was pressed hard against his.

“Sara, are you—”

She pressed a finger to his lips. “If tonight is all we have, we don’t have a moment to spare.” Heat flickered in his eyes, then he bent to kiss her. Not hard and claiming as he’d done in the bar. This kiss was sweet. The soft brush of his lips over hers, so tender that it made her heart ache. She didn’t understand it—the connection she felt with this man. Simple lust, probably. The pent-up need from having gone so long without a man in her bed.

Except she knew better. There was something there. Something intangible. It was right there, as close as a memory and just as fleeting. If she could only stop—just breathe—then maybe she could catch it. But how could she when he was trailing kisses down her neck, the rough palms of his hands sliding down the sides of her body?

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