The booming bass from the club reverberated in my eardrums—even at a full block away. The Lamborghini doors glided closed, and I made sure to engage the alarm. I glanced around at the broken streetlight and graffitied walls surrounding my car and grimaced. No one better break into my girl. I gave her a final pat and walked toward the music. The Lambo had become a symbol of my new life. It was very unlike me and was exactly what I needed following the dark years after being turned. Now it had become a tradition. Every few years I’d buy a new neon yellow one. This year’s model was the Aventador; Giallo Orion was the fancy Italian name for its color. It was a reminder of starting over.
Loud music and babbling voices increased in intensity as I neared the newest hot spot in Brooklyn. I stared up at the smiling cow mural painted over the old brick building. From meatpacking to exclusive nightclub—only in New York City. A NYPD police cruiser was parked near the entrance, and two officers leaned up against the car talking. As I got closer, green eyes peered up at me from underneath a tuft of unruly brown and silver curls.
I froze.
After thirty years, Theodore Grant had the exact same childlike mischief in his gaze. Time had worn a few more creases into the corners of his eyes and around his mouth, but I’d never forget that face.
He moved toward me, his eyes wide. “You?”
I cleared my throat and slid on the expressionless mask I’d perfected over the years. “Excuse me, officer?”
His cheeks reddened. “I’m sorry for staring, it’s just that you look so much like someone I knew a lifetime ago.”
“I guess I just have one of those faces.” I kept walking, avoiding the streetlamps.
He followed me, trying to get closer. “You’re not related to a Damian Spiros are you?”
“No, sorry,” I said over my shoulder. “Have a good evening, officer. I’m afraid I’m late meeting some friends.”
“Sure. Have a good night.”
I could feel his heavy gaze on the back of my head as I walked away. My young recruit, Ted. It wasn’t until years later I found out I hadn’t killed him the night I was turned. I often wondered if things would have turned out differently had I known all along. I pushed the somber thoughts to the back of my mind and searched the line of restless partygoers for Aria and Ricky.
Of course they’d pick a crowded nightclub. I cringed at the thought of sweaty bodies squeezed together on a packed dance floor. I passed by the velvet-roped entrance and found an empty spot along the wall. Leaning up against the brick façade, I scanned the line once more. Nothing yet. I’d followed them until the subway then drove the rest of the way. I figured having the car could come in handy in case things went south.
The clicking of heels on pavement drew my attention across the way. A petite blonde with hot pink streaks in her hair sauntered toward the front of the line. Black leather pants hugged every curve on her body, her bright red stilettos catching my eye. My jaw hung open. That girl did not look seventeen. I shook my head, forcing myself to focus. This was a job, not a night out on the town.
Aria and Ricky approached the burly bouncer, and he unlatched the red velvet rope with a smile. As soon as they disappeared into the entrance, I sped over.
“Hey, hey. The line’s back there buddy.” The enforcer pointed to the end of the hundred-plus person queue.
I fixed my gaze on the towering giant, infusing power into my voice. “Let me in.”
Without another word, the bouncer retracted the rope, and I slipped in through a wave of angry complaints from the crowd in line.
The pounding base echoed in the narrow entrance hallway. I focused my hearing trying to isolate Aria or Ricky’s voice as I made my way to the middle of the club. It was an enormous circular space with four levels of music, sure to appeal to all tastes—except mine. I glanced up to the second level which overlooked the dance floor. I needed to get up there so I could find them.
At the far wall, the glow of the elevator lights caught my eye. I dashed over and jabbed at the call button. The door finally slid open and I hurried in, followed by two giggling girls. The brunette ogled me unabashedly. Heat seeped up my neck, warming my cheeks.
“Do you want to buy me a drink?” she asked with a flirty smile.
“I’m sorry, I can’t. I’m working.”
The elevator doors glided open, and I raced out, the girl’s words blurring into the background. I reached the railing and peered over into the mass of grinding bodies. Right in the center, a blonde head poked out of the crowd. Aria swayed her hips to the music, tossing pink and blonde hair from side to side. Ricky danced next to her, wiggling and bumping his butt into hers. She laughed, raising her arms up and fist pumping to the beat.
Aria glanced up, and our eyes locked. Heat swirled in my chest. What was it about this girl? The skin at the back of my neck tingled. I averted my gaze and ducked behind another guy leaning against the bannister.
In that moment I decided I needed to know her. I wanted to protect her, and the best way to do that would be to insert myself into her life. That’s what I told myself anyway—the excuse.
I raced down the back stairwell to find a spot at the bar to wait for when she inevitably showed up. I pushed my way past the mob congregating around the circular bar below the DJ booth. I found a spot in the middle where I could keep my eyes on the dance floor. Aria and Ricky were still going at it, a small crowd surrounding them. I eyed every single guy around the perimeter, but they seemed harmless enough.
I waved at the tall blonde bartender, and she rushed over, a bottle of beer in each hand.
“What can I get you handsome?”
“Bourbon on the rocks.”
“Now that’s a man’s drink,” she said with a wink.
I gave her a half smile. It was all I could manage. She was back in seconds with my drink and another attempt at flirting. She rest her elbows on the bar, leaning over. I had a clear view down her low cut top. My gaze darted back up to her eyes, and she giggled. This was so not happening. I fixed my eyes on hers, and focused my power. “I’m not interested in you in that way and neither are you. Just get my drinks when I order them, and I’ll give you a good tip at the end of the night.”
The girl nodded and walked away to serve the next eager customer. I took a deep breath and sidled in between two guys sitting at the bar. I glanced over my shoulder to the dance floor. A large circle had formed around Ricky who was break dancing. A smile pulled at my lips as I remembered my break dancing days in the carefree 80’s. I stood on my tiptoes trying to see over the crowd to find Aria. She was gone.
A few feet away, the mob parted and Aria emerged, her black top clinging to her and face shiny with sweat. She pushed her way toward the bar, a few guys ogling her as she passed. I darted through the dense mass of bodies until I was right behind her. A faint scent of jasmine wafted up to my nose.
I cleared my throat and yelled over the music. “Can I get you a drink?”
She turned to the left so I tapped on her right shoulder.
Her bright blue eyes widened. “Whoa there, buddy. Have you ever heard of personal space?”
“Sorry.” I took a step back. “It’s a little tight in here.” I motioned over my shoulder where a drunk girl was pressed up against my back trying to get to the bar.
“Fine, I’ll give you a pass this one time.”
She was feisty. I liked that.
“So how about that drink?” I smirked and extended my hand. “I’m Damian.”
“Aria.” Her eyes scanned me from head to toe, her brows knitted, then as if she’d come to an acceptable conclusion she added, “I’ll have a Cosmo.”
I arched a brow, knowing full well she was underage. My cop instincts raged inside me, but I had to get her to trust me. I signaled to the bartender, and she dashed right over to take my order.
Aria’s inquisitive gaze continued to rake over me. I could almost feel her assessing me. The blonde returned seconds later with the Cosmo and my second bourbon on the rocks. I handed Aria the drink, shooting her my best smile. “It matches your hair.”
“Very perceptive.” She twirled one of the hot pink streaks. “It’s my favorite color.”
“It’s a good one for you.” I raised my cocktail and clinked it against her martini glass. I was really out of practice with this stuff, but I hoped I was pulling off the flirting thing.
As I took a sip of bourbon, I caught her staring at me.
She laughed, and her whole face lit up. “Your eyes are pretty cool.”
“Thanks. Yours are beautiful, like the translucent aqua of the Caribbean.” I paused and took another swig of bourbon, never dropping eye contact. “So do you come here often?”
“Wow, I haven’t heard that one in awhile.” She bit her lower lip, and I found myself wanting to do the same. That was so unlike me. What was it about this girl?
“Does that line really work with the ladies?” she asked.
“It’s not a line.” I pulled myself together and took a step back, my hands raised. “I’ve been here a few times and never seen you. It was an innocent question, I swear.”
“Umhmm… This is my first time. My best friend Ricky dragged me here tonight. ” She got on her tiptoes and peered over the mob to the dance floor.
“Am I keeping you?” I turned in the direction she was searching.
“I should probably go find him. I don’t want him getting into any trouble without me.”
“Why do I get the feeling you’re the one that’s trouble?” I shot her a mischievous smirk. I was really bad at this, wasn’t I?
She finished off the last sip before answering. “Too bad you won’t get to find out.”
She turned to leave, and my hand shot out to stop her. I twirled her toward me, my eyes intent on her lips. “Give me your number before you go.”
“That sounded like a demand.” She jerked away from me, and I panicked.
I cleared my throat and averted my gaze. “I’m sorry. I just… I’d like to get to know you better.”
“Look, it’s Damian, right?”
I nodded and zeroed my steely gaze in on her.
“I appreciate the drink, but I already have a boyfriend, and he’s enough to handle.”
“Maybe that’s the problem.” I cracked my knuckles, the idea of her boyfriend sending that sleazy guy after her making my blood boil.
She paused and her expression darkened. “Goodbye, Damian. Maybe I’ll see you around.”
Before I could stop her, she disappeared into the mass of grinding bodies on the dance floor.