his jeans and his large erection sprung from the opening. He never took his eyes off her
and Lucian as he wrapped his hand around his cock and began to pump it up and
down.
Delight couldn't take it any longer. "Take me, Lucian. Now." Breaking free of his
grip, she tried to lever herself up to draw him inside her.
Lucian swore softly and he gripped her waist in his hands, lifting her up easily. The
head of his cock was sucked eagerly into her hungry pussy. Not pausing, he pulled her
down hard, impaling her on his hard length.
As he filled her, Delight closed her eyes and tipped her head back to rest on his
shoulder. Squirming on his lap, she tried to pull him deeper inside her. Lucian came up
on his knees and bent her over until her hands and knees were planted on the floor in
front of him. She barely had time to catch her balance before he pulled back and began
to hammer into her.
As Lucian fucked her hard from behind, she raised her head and watched Stefan
watching them. His face was filled with carnal pleasure as he watched them mating on
the floor in front of him. His hand continued to pump up and down at a frantic pace as
Lucian continued to pound into her pulsing sex.
The pleasure was almost painful. For a moment, she was suspended on the edge
and then Stefan groaned and pulled his T-shirt over the top of his cock as he came. As
Stefan continued to pump out his release, Lucian drove into her one final time and her
orgasm hit her so hard and so fast, she screamed.
Her entire body shuddered as Lucian jerked and emptied himself inside her. He
knelt back up with her still locked in his arms and sank his teeth in her nape. Each
sucking motion was like a mini-orgasm and it went on and on until her head was
spinning and her vision blurred. She cried out when Lucian withdrew his fangs and
closed the small pinpricks with his tongue, not wanting him to leave her yet.
As Lucian withdrew from her body, her muscles gripped his cock tight, sending off
another round of pleasure. Delight shivered as he cradled her tight in his arms. She
looked up at him, but his attention was on the door. Following his gaze, she saw Stefan
still watching from the doorway. Now that the moment was past, she felt
embarrassment taking the place of desire and turned into Lucian, seeking his
protection.
Stefan nodded slowly and withdrew from them, leaving a feeling of sadness behind
in the spot where he'd stood. "Did you know he was there?" She hadn't meant to ask,
but needed to know.
"Yes." Lucian sighed and stood with her still locked in his arms. "He envies what
we have and I could not refuse him a glimpse of the pleasure denied him. He will not
seek to do so again as I think he feels the void in him even more keenly now." Lucian
strode towards the open door.
"It was strange to know that someone was watching us." She didn't quite know
how to explain her conflicting feelings.
"You found it exciting and that bothers you." As usual, Lucian went to the heart of
the matter. "It is natural to be aroused by another man watching you, but I will not
share you." His arms tightened around her threateningly. "Ever."
"I don't want anyone but you." Wrapping her arms around his neck, she leaned
into his chest.
As they'd talked, Lucian had carried her down the hallway and back to the
bedroom. She could feel his erection poking her in the bottom with every step he took.
She stared up at him with disbelief in her eyes. "Again?" She couldn't hide the hint of
amazement in her voice. The man had an amazing recovery time.
Laying her down on the top of the bed, he stood over her fully aroused. "Again."
He came down on top of her and left no doubt that he was more than capable of loving
her again.
It was just after sunset the next evening and Delight was dressed and ready to go
home to talk to Chase. She'd had her day reprieve, but now it was time to deal with the
problems at hand. She'd already called the owner of Etienne's and quit her job,
knowing there was no way that she could go back to work there after what had
happened. He had been very understanding, offering to mail her last pay check to her
have at least one thing taken care of.
She felt refreshed and invigorated after sleeping all day and had been surprised, but
pleased to find a fresh change of clothing waiting for her when she awoke. She hadn't
been looking forward to pulling on her black dress to wear home.
Since Lucian had been with her the entire time, she knew that it was Stefan who
had slipped into her home and brought some of her own clothing to her. She
appreciated his thoughtfulness, but didn't know if she'd ever be able to look the man in
the face again without blushing.
She hurried down the stairs eager to see Lucian before heading home. He emerged
from the living room and had taken one step towards the stairs when there was a
pounding on the front door.
He scowled and turned towards the intrusion. "Stay here," he barked over his
shoulder as he strode to the door and flung it open.
Miss Nadine practically fell through the doorway. She was sobbing so hard it was
almost impossible to make out what she was saying. When she did, Delight almost
wished she hadn't. "They took him," she cried over and over. "They took our boy."
Delight's blood ran cold and she lost all feeling in her body as she sank to the stairs.
She was only dimly aware of Lucian carrying Miss Nadine into another room.
"I've got to save him," she whispered. Delight needed Lucian's strength in that
moment more than she'd ever needed anything in her life.
Returning for her, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her to her
feet. "We'll get him back," he promised her. "Then I'll end this once and for all."
She nodded, feeling stronger and more sure. If Lucian said they'd get Chase back,
then they would. Delight couldn't bring herself to face the other possibility.
Chapter Sixteen
It wasn't that hard to find where they were holding Chase. The kidnappers had
been quite explicit in their instructions. Delight was to come to them herself, or they
would start sending her brother back to her. One piece at a time. Chase's knapsack with
the note pinned on it had been dropped at the back door of The Grande just before
dusk. Miss Nadine had found it shortly after and had rushed to Lucian's home.
When Lucian had given Miss Nadine his phone number and address, he'd never
dreamed she would be using it so quickly or for such a reason. It hadn't occurred to him
that the murderers would be desperate enough to attack Delight through her family.
He'd assumed that they would come directly for her and he would be there to protect
her. Instead, they'd hit her where she was most vulnerable. Her family.
Inwardly, he was furious at himself for not anticipating such an action. He'd grown
soft and lax in the last century. In the old days, such treachery was commonplace and to
be expected. He watched helplessly as the two women sat side by side on the sofa,
consoling one another.
Stefan had returned to the house the moment that Lucian
had sent out the mental
call for help. Now his brother waited patiently for him to decide their course of action.
"It's not your fault." Lucian knew that Stefan meant well, but right now the words
didn't help.
"Then whose fault is it?" Turning, he faced his brother, his face a grim mask.
"Delight and her family are my responsibility."
Stefan nodded his understanding. "What will you do?"
Lucian glanced at the ornate sword that was hanging over the fireplace. "It is time
to pay Mr. Prince a visit."
"In days of old, you could have just lopped off his head. But nowadays, we must
hide and act with stealth." Stefan sighed in obvious disappointment. "I will go with
you." He crossed his arms over his chest, a stubborn gleam in his eye.
"No." Lucian shook his head. "You must stay here and protect Delight. I am leaving
my greatest treasure in your care. My life is in your hands."
Stefan straightened and nodded once. "As you wish."
Lucian knew that he understood the importance of the task. If anything happened
to Delight, Lucian knew he would not survive. His life was now linked to her and by
protecting Delight, Stefan was protecting Lucian's life as well. Decision made, he strode
towards Delight. A quick goodbye and he'd be on his way.
Delight sprang from the sofa. "When do we leave?"
He could only stare at her, awed by her bravery and her willingness to sacrifice for
her brother. Of course, he could not allow her to do such a thing, but he was pleased by
her strength. "You will stay here with Stefan. I will go and bring Chase back home."
Scowling, she fisted her hands on her hips. "Chase is my brother. Besides, it's me
they want."
"Precisely." Lucian cupped her face in his hands, willing her to understand his
position. "That is why you cannot go. Once they have you, they have no reason to keep
him alive."
Delight chewed her lip with uncertainty. "But what if they hurt him?"
"What is done, is done." As much as he wanted to spare her, he knew she needed
the truth. "But I promise you, I will bring him home to you."
Lucian glanced at his brother and knew his face was a mirror image of Stefan's.
Controlled anger, power, and the promise of retribution shone from his brother's eyes,
echoing his own feelings.
Bending down, he kissed Delight lightly on the lips, savoring her sweet flavor. "I
will be back soon." Releasing her, he turned and stalked out of the room. He heard her
calling his name, but did not look back. The front door opened before he reached it and
he stepped out into the darkness. It slammed shut behind him and he waited until he
heard the bolts being driven home before he sped off into the night.
With his unnatural speed, he was outside Prince's club in a matter of minutes.
Aptly named The Club, it was the current hotspot in the city. The rich, famous, and
beautiful all vied for entry. Lucian smiled coldly as he walked towards the entrance.
This time tomorrow, they would be looking for a new place to go. The Club was about
to be shut down.
Ignoring the hulking bouncer, he continued past the long line of people hoping to
gain entry. The bouncer stepped in front of Lucian with his massive arms folded across
his chest. He glared at the man, his fangs flashing as he issued his mental command.
The bouncer paled and immediately stepped back, opening the door for Lucian.
The music assaulted Lucian as he stepped inside. Loud and obnoxious, the band
screamed into the microphones as couples crammed the dance floor. Lights of all colors
flashed through the darkened room. The smell of sex, sweat, drugs and alcohol
permeated the air.
Scanning the interior, he found what he was looking for and walked directly across
the club's jam-packed dance floor. The crowd parted in front of him and closed behind
him as he made a straight line towards a door near the back of the club.
Several hulking men in dark suits with weapons bulging under their arms stood in
front of the doors that led to the office area. Stopping in front of the men, he stared at
them and smiled. "Tell Prince that Lucian Dalakis is here to see him."
Their eyes widened at the name. Delight might not be impressed by his money, but
Lucian was very rich and powerful and there were those who were easily swayed by
such things. Prince was a man who placed a very high value on both, craving them with
equal greed.
One of the men slipped through the door, while the other stood and waited
nervously. Lucian could feel the man's heart pounding in his chest and did nothing to
lessen his discomfort. The door suddenly swung open and Lucian was ushered
forward. "Mr. Prince will see you."
Lucian didn't bother to answer, but walked down the hallway and up a set of stairs.
Another man was waiting at the top of the stairs for him and from the cruel look on his
face and the immaculate banker's suit, he knew that this must be Mr. Smith.
Smith stared at him in a manner meant to intimidate, but only served to amuse
Lucian. "I'll have to search you if you want to see Mr. Prince."
He spread his arms wide. "By all means." He could tell he'd surprised Smith with
his easy capitulation. The other man now regarded him with slight disdain. In his eyes,
Lucian was now just another rich, but weak man, looking for some vice or another from
his boss. That suited Lucian just fine. For now.
Smith led him to another door that opened into a large, opulent room. It was
obviously an office as it contained a huge mahogany desk and a wall of computer
screens filled with images from the club below. However, there was also a sitting area
with a leather sofa and chairs. Priceless oriental rugs were scattered across the gleaming
hardwood floor and artwork adorned the walls. It was a room that screamed money
and seated at the very center, behind the desk, was Mr. Jethro Prince.
As he walked across the room, Lucian sized up his opponent. Prince was whipcord
lean, with dark, empty eyes and a scar on his right cheek. He leaned back in his chair,
rested his elbows on the arms of the chair, and tapped his fingers together. Prince made
no move to rise or to offer him a seat. It was a definite power play, meant to put Lucian
on the defensive. His face impassive, Lucian walked up to the desk, keeping his body
loose and fluid, and waited.
Prince scowled when he didn't get the response he'd obviously been expecting.
"What can I do for you, Dalakis?"
Having already done a mental scan of the room, he knew Chase was there, slumped
in a chair that was facing away from them all with his hands tied. "You have something
that belongs to me." He waited, giving his words time to sink in. "I want it back."
Prince lunged forward in his chair and slammed his hands on the desk. "How dare
you come into my office with demands."
Lucian could feel Smith moving up behind him, but didn't move from his position.
"This can be easy or hard. That is entirely your choice."
The scar on Prince's face turned white as his anger grew. "I don't like your
accusations, Dalakis. You're either very brave or very stupid." His pointed look left no
doubt in Lucian's mind that Prince thought he was the latter.
Lucian shrugged, his mas
sive shoulders rising and falling easily. "What you think
of me is of no consequence. It doesn't change the fact that you have something of mine."
Prince's eyes grew colder as he studied Lucian. "Do you think your money will
protect you? You're on my turf now, not yours." Making an effort, Prince relaxed his
stance and allowed a slightly amused and sardonic smile cross his face. "I wonder if
anyone even knows that you're here? People go missing every day in a city like New
Orleans."
The menace underlying his words was very real, but Lucian just inclined his head
slightly in recognition of Prince's threat. "Yes, they do, don't they. I understand that
you've recently lost some men of your own. Such a shame." He allowed the corners of
his mouth to turn up in a dangerous smile. "But then a man like you doesn't care much
about human life. The inconvenience of it all was probably nothing more than a minor
nuisance to you."
Prince reached under his desk, pulled out a handgun and leveled it at Lucian. "You
seem to have quite a knowledge and interest about my business, Dalakis. That kind of
curiosity can be dangerous to a man's health."
Lucian ignored the gun and shrugged unconcerned. "You still have something that
belongs to me. And I will have it back."
Prince's eyes widened and he vibrated with fury even though his gun hand never
wavered. "I could kill you now, but I'm curious. What do you think I have that belongs
to you?"
"Chase Deveraux."
The other man's demeanor changed in a flash, becoming more cunning and sly. "It
seems I may have underestimated the value of my new young friend. His continued
safety and good health would be worth quite a bit to you?"
"I don't pay for what is already mine. But if you let him go and leave the Deveraux
family alone, I will let you live." He inwardly sighed even as he made the offer,
knowing that the only reason he did so was that he could assure Delight that he'd done
all he could before killing Prince and Smith. He knew they had to be dealt with, but
women could be funny about these kinds of things.
Prince started to laugh as he strolled out from behind his desk and ambled across
the room to a large wingback chair that was facing a dark corner of the room. Reaching