Page 3 of Bred By the Mercenary
As I weave through the crowd, wandering to an adjoining room, my pulse is thumping with the music. It seems most of the mansion is open-plan. In the next room, people are dancing, chatting, lost in their own world. I’m bopping along, figuring once I grab a drink and track down my bestie, Jessi, I’ll be in there, dancing my ass off.
After grabbing a sparkling cocktail that tastes like summer and honey and has an umbrella in it, I venture into another room down the wide corridor. It seems the party is extending to more than a couple of rooms, as the next one has most people lounging around and drinking.
I sip from my glass, making my way through the crowded corridor, and that’s when I spot Jessi farther ahead. She’s holding hands with some tall guy I’ve never seen before. They look… cozy and super close to one another.
I figure I’ll quickly say hi, so she knows I’m here, then rush my weaving through the crowd. Except it’s like everyone’s decided to congregate in this one spot. I lose sight of Jessi quickly. I sigh but keep pushing through, not spilling my cocktail. She couldn’t have gotten far.
Finally, after stepping on a few toes and apologizing, I burst out from the crowd and take a few turns down the corridor. Then I find them again, secluded in a dimly lit corner. They’re really into each other. She’s pinned to the wall. They’re kissing like they’re alone in this house, and his hand is sliding up her skirt.
“Nope, not interrupting that.”
I back away, quickly around the corner. In my rush, I end up stepping on someone’s foot and bumping into them.
“Shoot, sorry,” I murmur, turning around to see who I’ve just bulldozed into.
I’m face-to-face with a shorter, stockier man with small eyes and slicked black hair. He’s not wearing a mask for some reason. Something about the way he leers at me gives me Ryker vibes and has me cringing on the inside. I mean, this guy is cute in a weird way, but not really my kind.
He grins at me, a little too confident. “Let me get you a new drink,” he insists, taking my half-drunk drink out of my hand without asking and placing it down on a nearby side table near the wall.
“I wasn’t finished with that,” I say, going after him.
“Don’t worry, I’m ordering you a freshly made one.” His gaze roams over me in a way that makes my skin crawl. It’s like I’m not a person to him but something to be gawked at.
“I’m good, really. I’ll do it myself,” I grunt, trying to sound polite but failing. There’s a part of me that wants to bolt, but I don’t want to make a scene. I’ve had enough drama tonight to last me a lifetime.
The guy frowns, clearly not used to being rejected. Well, he better get used to it if he’s going to come so damn strong and pushy.
“You don’t seem to recognize me,” he says with half a grin.
“Should I?” Of course, this place is filled with not only celebrities but also try-hards.
He sighs heavily. “I can make things happen for you. I have connections in the movie industry,” he insists.
I glance around, hoping to catch someone’s eye, anyone who I can use as an excuse to escape, but everyone’s lost in their own world. My heart’s thumping in my chest.
“Not interested, but if you’ll excuse me, I have to go. I just spotted my friend.” I lift my chin to the masses down the hall behind him, making the first excuse that comes to mind. I don’t care if it’s a lie.
Hurriedly, I step past him to get away when he snatches my wrist, his grip tight and unyielding. A wave of dread crashes over me at his boldness.
“You didn’t hear me right, girl!” he growls, his face inches from mine.
Panic claws at my insides, my thoughts racing for a way out. Just as I swing around, pulling against his hold, a shadow falls over us.
I twist back around to the man who’s approached us. He’s huge, towering over the douche, and his mask hides everything but the most sensual lips I’ve ever seen.
“She heard you just fine,” the stranger says in a voice that’s deep and smooth, sending an unexpected shiver down my spine.
The creepy dude stares up at him, confusion and pinched eyebrows warping his expression as I finally rip my arm out of his grasp.
“Do you even know who you’re talking to?” he spits out, his gaze flickering between me and the imposing god in front of him.
My heart’s fluttering now that someone actually came to help me. This tall, dark, and sexy-as-hell handsome man who’s glaring down at the stocky guy.
In one swift move, Mr. Handsome grabs the smaller man by the throat. “Let’s have a quick talk around the corner,” he says, his voice calm but menacing. It also leaves me breathless. When he glances up, the side of his mouth curls upward. My heart’s thumping louder. “Give me two moments, little dove, while I take care of this trash.”
Little Dove?
He drags the asshole, kicking and cursing. I’m left standing there, stunned and wondering where this stranger had been when I dealt with Ryker earlier.