Page 24 of Vicious Vows

The women shoot me a thankful look as we step out of the line and make our way inside.

The taller girl says, “I’m Mandy, and this is Marla.”

“Anna.”

“Anna, you are a badass. Do you know someone that works here or something?”

I shake my head. “This is my first time here.”

Marla says, “Well, thanks for sharing your good luck with us. It’s hard as hell to get into any of the clubs owned by Mr. Vilulf.”

I feel like ice water has been dumped on me. “Vilulf?”

She nods. “Yeah. He’s super dreamy, but also super dangerous, which makes him even sexier.”

Her friend adds, “A sexy silver fox.”

I have no response. The hairs on the back of my neck prickle and I have to fight shivering. Did I just walk right into the lion’s den?

We’re led to a tall table in the VIP section. Marla and Mandy sit, but I don’t. How can I when I feel like a lamb who’s about to be slaughtered? They didn’t outright say Odin owned this club, but who else would it be?

A server stops to take our order. Mandy gets a round of shots. I know I shouldn’t, but I toss it back as soon as it's set in front of me. The liquor burns, so I chase it with the Long Island Tea I ordered.

Mandy says, “I don’t know how you can drink that. It’s like ten different alcohols.”

Marla giggles. “That’s probably the point, right Anna?”

“Exactly.”

I keep sucking my drink through the straw until it’s empty. Another one is brought out, and I gulp it down, too. These girls probably think I have a drinking problem or something. What they don’t know is I’m going to need the numbing bliss only alcohol can bring, because this night isn’t going to end well. Not if this is Odin’s club.

“We should dance,” I say.

Mandy… or maybe it’s Marla nods. “Let’s!”

My head is fuzzy as we make our way to the crowded dance floor. Mandy and Marla dance together. I stand a few feet away as I start to move. My skin prickles. As much as I want to deny that this isn’t Odin’s club, I know he’s close. Heat that only he brings licks at my back, but I don’t turn. Instead, I keep my eyes shut and let myself get lost in the music. I’ve always loved to dance, though I was only allowed to take ballet. Grandmama said all other forms of dancing were sinful, which I always thought was a bit ironic, since ballet can be very sensual. But nothing in the world beats the feeling I have when I let the music take over and just dance.

The dance floor is packed, bodies writhing in sync to the beat of the music. Here, I’m just me. I’m not a member of one of the most notorious crime families in the country. I’m not a Mafia Princess. No, I’m just a normal girl. The song changes and so does the vibe on the dance floor, as one of my favorite Halestorm songs about a woman getting off plays over the speakers.

Someone bumps into me, and a voice says, “Want to dance?”

I open my eyes to find a guy close in age to me smiling down at me. He’s not bad looking, but he’s not the man that I want. But that’s the whole freaking problem, isn’t it? That doesn’t mean I can’t dance with him and forget all of my problems, if only for a little while.

I smile back. “Sure.”

The guy pulls me close at the same time the hairs on the back of my neck stand. Before I can warn the guy not to touch me, he’s shoved away from me and carried off the dance floor by two bodyguards.

Warm breath hits the back of my neck. “Naughty girl. Does your momma know you’re out, dressed like a little slut?”

My nipples harden immediately, and I spin, facing Odin. He’s wearing a white dress shirt with the top few buttons undone and black slacks. How can one man make something so simple look so freaking sexy?

“Nope.”

His gaze rakes over me, making me hot all over. “So you thought it would be a good idea to come to my club dressed like this?”

The corner of my mouth lifts. “I didn’t know it was your club at first. But, yeah, pissing you off was a definite perk.”

His gaze narrows. “Then you’ve succeeded. Are you going to come willingly, or do I have to carry you?”

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