She gazed one more time in the mirror before leaving the room, and wished she was home going to a Halloween party instead, but this was her life. There was no room for games or mistakes tonight. She would play the part and do everything she could to glean information about where Simone was and who else was helping her. She knew from experience that seedy bars were good places to get intel, as long as you had sources who were either afraid of you or trusted you, either worked. Unfortunately, in this town, she had neither.
Kade gaped at Sydney as she descended the staircase. Holy mother of God. What was she wearing? His cock jerked to attention and his eyes widened as he struggled to remain composed in front of his fellow vampires. In all his life, he had never wanted one woman so badly. He immediately noticed how her tight, hard peaks pressed against the fishnet weave. He could not believe she would freaking wear a see-through top to a vampire club. What was she thinking? Every supernatural in the place would want her. Let them try, he laughed to himself. She belonged to him and no other.
Sydney’s face flushed knowing she was half-naked in front of a group of free-loving vampires. “So, who wants a spanking?” she asked seductively. “Mistress Sydney is here to make your fantasy come true.”
Everyone started laughing, except for Kade. He strode across the room and possessively grabbed Sydney’s waist, pulled her into him, and kissed her senseless. It was a hard, dominating kiss that let everyone know she was his. His tongue forced its way into her mouth, and Sydney let him taste her. She kissed him back letting him know that she would not simply be taken. No, she would take as well. Her hands snaked up his back feeling the soft leather of his jacket. She breathed in his masculine scent, feeling controlled in his arms, seeking all of him.
Dominique coughed loudly from across the room. “Okay, you two, ya want to get a room and fuck, or go catch bad guys? Come on!” She was clearly irritated by their little show.
Sydney and Kade laughed while kissing and broke away, looking at the crowd waiting on them. “Uh...yeah, that would be ’go catch bad guys’.” She smiled over at Dominique appreciating her amazing, leather outfit. Dominique wore a dark purple bustier with matching leather, pencil skirt and calf high, patent-leather lace-front boots. “Hey, Dom, nice leather. And those boots...We need to go shoe shopping together someday, seriously.”
Dominique smiled back at the compliment, “Okay, girl, so we actually do have something in common. I’ll take a rain check. It may be nice to have another woman around all this testosterone.”
Kade interrupted their little bonding talk, knowing they needed to get going. “Okay, Luca will be clearing the site first before we go in.” He looked to Sydney. “Sydney, you will enter with the second group. I will approach Miguel and introduce you as my director of Philadelphia security. Luca and Sydney, stay close in the club. You are supposed to be working together. The rest of you work the club and try to find out anything about Simone’s whereabouts, or accomplices. The witch who is helping her may also frequent the club. Stay on your toes, and try to fit in. It cannot look like we are there investigating, or people won’t talk. Luca, please run down the security situation.”
Tearing his eyes off Sydney and her unbelievable attire, Luca looked at the others in the room. “We’ve got two limos. Xavier, Dominique, and I will take the first limo. We’ll go in and case things out before we give you the all clear. We need to make sure Simone is not in the club. If she is, Kade will enter. You,” he said pointing to Sydney, “will stay in the car. Under no circumstances are you to enter the club if Simone is in there. I am serious, Sydney. What happened with the vampire in Philly is child’s play compared to what Simone could do to you.” Sydney rolled her eyes.
“Once the go ahead is given, we can all enter the club. Spread out. Like Kade said, we are not there to investigate, so it can’t look that way: play, feed, gather information. Kade will give the signal when it is time to go. Kade and Sydney will leave first.”
Kade put a hand around Sydney’s waist and pulled her to his side. “Okay, everyone, let’s roll. Sydney love, stay close to Luca or me. Remember, while you carry my scent at the moment, other vampires will most definitely try to lure you.” Sydney shot him a defiant look. Kade may be the boss of his vampires, but he was not the boss of her. She would play nice so long as she was on the case, but no man, not even a sexy as hell vampire, was going to run her life.
Sydney was going to do this her way even if it meant letting Kade think she was following his rules. It wasn’t as if she was going anywhere without him. They all were going to be in the club. Whatever, if she argued, they’d never get there. She looked up at him innocently and sweetly said, “Yes dear, I would never plan to break your precious rules.” Annoyed, she pulled away from his possessive grip and strode through the door. “Let’s go.”
Chapter Thirteen
After Luca gave the all clear, Kade entered Sangre Dulce with Etienne and Sydney flanking him on each side. A tall, thin man with jet-black hair and a goatee rushed up to greet them. He almost looked like a pirate with the black, leather pants and white, ruffled, linen, open-chested shirt he wore. “Sir, I am honored to have you here. We have a special VIP table set up for you and your guests, which provides a wonderful view of the dance floor as well as the public play area.” Sydney struggled to keep her mouth shut. Public play area? What the hell?
Miguel was soon joined by a naked, petite woman with long, bright, red hair, which was braided down her back. The woman wore a small chain around her neck that Sydney assumed was some kind of a collar. Sydney didn’t know much about fetishes, but she assumed this pixie of a woman was clearly a submissive. Miguel placed his hand on the woman’s back gently pushing her toward Kade. “Sir, this is Rhea. She will serve you and your party tonight...in any way you wish. She is human and has agreed to be a donor. Rhea can procure additional donors, submissives or Doms for your party should you need these services. And of course, she will be your waitress for the evening. She is new to Sangre Dulce, but as you will experience, she was born to serve others. She is quite the little obedient sub. I am certain you will enjoy her.” He looked over at Sydney and extended his hand. Sydney reluctantly gave her hand to him, and cringed as he kissed it. Before letting her go, he turned her arm over and smelled her inner wrist. Sydney snatched her hand away from him, shooting Kade a pointed look.
Miguel didn’t seem to notice. “Sir, what a lovely human you have brought to my club tonight. Shall we expect a public performance from her? I would most enjoy seeing her tan skin turn pink.” He licked his lips and smiled, displaying his fangs to Sydney.
Showing very little emotion, Kade approached Miguel in an authoritative manner. “Miguel, this is Miss Willows. She is director of my security operations in the Philadelphia area. She is being mentored by Luca.” Kade’s eyes narrowed. “Miss Willows is in my employ, and is not to be touched or seen by anyone but me.” He paused and winked at Sydney. “That is unless, I grant permission for her to be touched.”
Sydney fought for self-control as blood rushed to her face. She was pretty sure Kade was teasing her. Wasn’t he? Oh my God. She so needed to get this case over with so she could get back to her less than exciting life in Philadelphia. What the hell was wrong with these freaky vampires? She took a deep breath in an effort to gain her composure before she said anything she’d regret. She tried to remind herself she was just playing a part...here on a case.