The pleasure was almost painful. For a moment, she was suspended on the knife edge of desire. Then Stefan groaned and pulled the hem of his T-shirt over the top of his cock as he came. Stefan continued to pump out his release as Lucian drove into her one final time. Her orgasm hit so hard and 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 fangs into her nape. There was no pain, only earth-shattering pleasure. Each sucking motion was like a mini-orgasm that went on and on until her head was spinning and her vision blurred. She cried out when Lucian withdrew his sharp fangs and closed the small pinpricks with his tongue, not wanting him to leave her yet.

  Lucian withdrew from her body and her inner muscles gripped his cock tight, trying to keep him inside her. Delight shivered and spasms shook her from head to toe. He cradled her in his arms, holding her close as she shook.

  She peered up at him, but his attention was on the entrance to the room and his brother, who was still watching from the doorway. Now that the moment was past, embarrassment took the place of desire, and she turned into Lucian, seeking his protection.

  Stefan nodded slowly and withdrew from them, leaving a feeling of sadness behind in his wake. “Did you know he was there?” She imagined he did. He and Stefan seemed to have a deep bond, a mental connection.

  “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 inside him even more keenly now.” Lucian strode toward the open door. He carried her easily. Her weight was nothing to him.

  “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. He was also correct in his assessment. “It is natural to be aroused by another man watching you, but I will not share.” His arms tightened around her threateningly. “Ever.” He carried her down the long hallway.

  “I don’t want anyone but you.” She never wanted him to doubt that. She wrapped her arms around his neck and nuzzled his chest.

  Lucian entered his bedroom and the door slammed shut behind them. He set her down on top of the bed and stood over her. He was fully aroused.

  “Again?” She couldn’t hide the hint of amazement in her voice. The man had an amazing recovery time. Of course, he was more than a man.

  He came down on top of her, covering her body with his. “Again.” He kissed her long and hard, teasing a response from her, leaving her breathless. Then he proceeded to make her scream his name again and again.

  • • •

  It was just after sunset the next evening and Delight was dressed and determined to go home to talk to Chase. She’d had her 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 she could go back to work there after what had happened. He had been very understanding, offering to mail her last paycheck to her and assuring her that he would certainly give her a good reference. She was pleased to 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 it had to have been 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. He’d seen her naked, watched her making love with his brother. Her cheeks grew hot at the memory.

  She hurried down the stairs eager to see Lucian before heading home. He emerged from the living room, looking as handsome and compelling as ever, and had taken one step toward the stairs when there was a pounding on the front door.

  He scowled and turned toward the intrusion. “Stay there,” he barked over his shoulder before striding to the door and flinging 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. She grabbed the banister and sank down onto the stairs before she fell. Not Chase. Not her baby brother.

  She didn’t need to ask who had him. It obviously had to do with the murder she’d witnessed and the attack on her. Had they taken him so she’d keep her mouth shut about what had happened?

  While she’d been making love to Lucian and sleeping the day away, Chase had been in danger. She hadn’t been there for him. She’d thought the nightmare was over, but it had only just begun.

  Delight was only dimly aware of Lucian carrying Miss Nadine into another room. “I’ve got to save him,” she whispered. There was nothing she wouldn’t do to rescue her brother from whoever had taken him. She needed Lucian’s strength in that moment more than she’d ever needed anything in her life. She didn’t think this was something she could do on her own. The men who’d taken Chase were ruthless killers.

  Lucian returned and bounded up to where she was sitting on the stairs. He pulled her to her feet and cupped her chin. He looked big and scary, exactly what she needed. “We’ll get him back,” he promised her. “Then I’ll end this once and for all.”

  She believed him. Right now he looked capable of just about anything. She nodded, feeling stronger and surer. 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 difficult 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 men behind the murder would be desperate enough to attack Delight through her family. He’d assumed 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.

  The strength of their emotions spilled over until he was picking up random thoughts without even trying. He shook his head to clear it. He was no good to Delight if he was distracted by his concern for her. He needed to be cool-headed and logical.

  Stefan had returned to the house as soon as Lucian had sent out the mental call for help. Now his brother stood in the shadows, waiting patiently for him to decide their course of action.

  “It’s not your fault,” his brother told him. Lucian knew that Stefan meant well, but right now the words didn’t help.

  “Then whose fault is it?” 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 hung over the fireplace. It was more than a relic of a bygone era. It was a sharp and deadly weapon, one he’d wielded many times before in the defense of his family, and his fingers longed to grip the handle. Times had changed but a man’s need to protect his family and his home was timeless. “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 his brother 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 went to Delight. A quick good-bye and he’d be on his way.

  Delight sprang from the sofa before he reached her. Fear emanated from every pore in her body, but she squared her shoulders. “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.”

  She scowled and fisted her hands on her hips. “I don’t think so. 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? The note specifically said I had to go.”

  “What is done is done.” As much as he wanted to spare her, he knew she needed the truth. The kidnappers had probably already hurt the boy. “But I promise I will bring Chase 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.

  He bent down and kissed Delight lightly on the lips, savoring her sweet flavor. “I will be back soon.” He released her and stalked out of the room. She called his name, but he did not look back.

  He flexed his mental powers and the front door opened before he reached it. Delight was safe. All he could do now was end the threat to her and her family once and for all. He stepped out into the darkness, embracing the shadows. The heavy steel-reinforced wooden portal slammed shut behind him. The metal bolts slammed home, locking all safely inside.

  The light from the front room spilled through the window, warm and inviting. He wanted nothing more than to be inside with Delight. He took a deep breath and sped off into the night.

  Stefan had dug up more information on the elusive Mr. Prince while Lucian had been distracted by Delight, including his major holdings and where he spent most of his time. He owed his brother more than he could ever repay, not that Stefan would ever ask. They were brothers. More than that, they were Dalakis. They would always come to the aid of one another.

  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 to the exclusive nightspot. Lucian smiled coldly as he walked toward 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, Lucian 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.

  Move!

  Most humans were easily controlled. Only a small percentage of them had natural mental walls. The bouncer winced and rubbed his forehead as Lucian gave another mental push, this one stronger. He had to be careful. Too forceful and he could easily kill the man.

  All the color bled from the bouncer’s face. He stumbled backward, practically falling over his feet to open the door for Lucian.

  Music assaulted Lucian’s ears as he stepped inside. Loud and obnoxious, the band screamed the lyrics into microphones, couples gyrated on the cramped dance floor, swaying and moving to the raucous sound. Colorful lights flashed throughout the darkened room. The smell of sex, sweat, drugs, and alcohol permeated the air.

  Lucian tamped down his preternatural hearing. It was either that or risk going deaf. He scanned the dark interior of the club, seeing through the shadows, cutting through the dark until he found what he was searching for.

  He strode directly across the club’s jam-packed dance floor, making a straight line toward a double door near the back of the club. No one got in his way. The crowd automatically parted in front of him, reacting to the wave of pure anger he sent before him. A few people glanced around to see what was wrong. Several laughed nervously. All of them breathed a sigh of relief and went back to dancing after he passed by.

  Several hulking men wearing dark suits with weapons bulging under their arms stood in front of the doors that led to the office area. He stopped in front of the hired thugs and smiled. “Tell Prince that Lucian Dalakis is here to see him.”

  Their eyes grew wide when he gave his name. Delight might not be impressed by his money, but Lucian was a very rich and powerful man, 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 nodded and slipped through the door, while the other stood and waited nervously. Lucian could hear 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 acknowledge the man. He strode down the hallway and up a set of stairs. There was another man waiting at the top of the stairs for him. From the cruel look on his face and the immaculate banker’s suit, he knew that this must be Mr. Smith—no doubt not his real name—Prince’s right hand. This was the man who had set the others on Delight. He would pay dearly for that.

  Smith stared at him in a manner meant to intimidate, but which only served to amuse Lucian. He raised an eyebrow in question.

  Smith scowled. “I’ll have to search you if you want to see Mr. Prince.”

  Lucian spread his arms wide. He had nothing to hide. He didn’t need a weapon. He was a weapon, one more potent and dangerous than any this man had ever come across.

  “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 the time being.

  Smith patted him down, taking his time and being rougher than he had to, before leading him to another door. This one 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 original 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 Lucian walked across the room, he 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, and tapped his index 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. It was easy to pick up on the teen’s frustration and pain, but also his determination to escape.

  “You have something that belongs to me.” Lucian 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 club, my office with demands.”

  Smith was moving up behind him, but Lucian ignored the enforcer and kept his attention on Prince. “This can be easy or hard. That is entirely your choice.” It didn’t matter to Lucian which choice they made, but neither man was leaving there alive.

  They were dead men. They just didn’t realize it yet.

  The jagged 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 massive shoulders rising and falling easily. “What you think of me is of little 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 to 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.”