Page 92 of Taming Seraphine

What the fuck was that?

The last time I lost control like that, I was fourteen, finding my stepfather on top of my little sister.

After that, Anton trained me out of my impulsiveness. I’ve meditated, wrestled down my emotions to nothingness, and executed over a hundred and fifty kills. This short time I’ve spent with Seraphine has unraveled the tight hold I’ve placed over my restraint.

Shit.

If I don’t rein in these feelings brewing toward Seraphine, I’m going to get us both killed.

I detach the silencer, shove the pistol back in its holster and spit at the corpse lying at my feet. The longer I stand out here, the more time I’m leaving Seraphine exposed to some other asshole who finds her irresistible.

After dragging him behind a dumpster, I send Don a quick text and forward the location on Google Maps. He messages back with a thumbs up, and I reenter the club, hoping to fuck that Seraphine hasn’t gotten herself into trouble.

THIRTY-FOUR

SERAPHINE

I’m about to follow Leroi and the creep he’s dragging off the dance floor when a small hand grabs my shoulder.

“That guy is friends with the owners,” Ember yells over the music. “Let him deal with the creep.”

My brows pinch. “You know them?”

She flicks her head. “My roommate recognized them.”

“Come on.” She tugs my arm and pulls me toward her friends.

I dart my gaze across the dance floor. Leroi has already disappeared into the crowd. I catch a glimpse of Rosalind being manhandled by a man similar to the one who was talking to Leroi and hope he’s escorting her to the door.

Maybe Ember has a point. Leroi wanted me to get through tonight without murdering or maiming, and rushing after that guy with a broken bottle might jeopardize my reward.

Heat pools between my thighs at the thought of him giving me another orgasm, so I turn back to join Ember and her friends. The music is faster, and they’ve started a new sequence of steps. It takes two rounds for me to pick up the pattern before I’m dancing.

Assholes gather around our group like vultures, making my skin itch. One of them approaches and wraps an arm around my waist, and my heart rate spikes.

“Hey, babe,” he murmurs, setting my hackles soaring.

My gut churns with a cocktail of agitation, nausea, and resentment. For a split second, I imagine it’s me being held down by those guards and not Mom. Then the pressure inside me explodes.

I whirl around in time to the music and elbow him in the gut with enough strength to make him double over, his face turning a putrid shade of red. The jackals watching us erupt into cheers.

“Don’t touch me,” I yell over the noise.

The man steps back with both hands raised. “Sorry, sorry.”

I glare in his direction until he disappears into the throng. When I turn back, Ember and her friends are grinning. Some of the tension drains from my body, and I exhale a trembling breath.

Shit. I did it.

My chest fills with warm triumph. I stood up for myself without shedding blood, and I may have even earned a bit of respect from Ember and her friends.

When we continue dancing, my steps are lighter, and I’m smiling so hard my cheeks ache. More women join the circle, and for a moment, I imagine I’m just like everyone else—-normal and carefree. The only thing that would make this better is if Leroi were here to witness my victory.

The music slows, and a few of the girls in our group break off to slow dance with men. My skin tingles with the sense of being watched by someone more powerful and significant than any of the onlookers, and when I turn around, I lock eyes with Leroi.

My heart thuds with anticipation. Even at twenty feet away, Leroi stands out amongst the crowd. It’s not just that he’s taller and more muscular, it’s the way he carries himself. He commands attention and respect, his presence so imposing that all other men fade into the background.

A few women on the dance floor turn to move in his direction, their movements more exaggerated, trying to attract his attention, but their efforts are wasted. Leroi looks at me like we are the only two people here, and everyone else has ceased to exist.

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