Swallowing back an angry retort, she’d gone off to the wine cellar to count bottles. But she wasn’t stupid and had taken care to lock the door behind her. No way did she want to chance being caught unaware by her groping boss.

  But now she was finally finished with her last shift for the week and was more than ready to leave. She rolled her shoulders once again to try to release some of the tension in her neck. It was no use. She was tired and just plain stiff. A steaming hot bath was what she needed to help her relax and soothe her aching muscles.

  Delight almost moaned at the thought and hurried back to the employees’ locker room to gather her belongings. The sooner she got out of here, the sooner she’d be home reclining in a hot tub of water. She tugged her light cotton sweater over her crisp white blouse and looped her small purse over her head and shoulder before she went in search of her boss.

  She doubted he was even still here, but figured she’d check with Chuck, the night janitor, before she called a cab to take her home. Since she’d forgotten her cell phone at home she’d use the landline in the office to make her call. She disliked having to spend money on a cab, but running around the city by herself at this hour of the night wasn’t safe.

  It had been a good night at the bar and she’d made a little over a hundred dollars in tips. She patted her purse and smiled. Even having to stay late couldn’t dampen her satisfaction at having more money to add to Chase’s education fund.

  She hurried down the corridor, relieved to hear voices in the distance. Etienne’s was usually a bustling establishment filled with music, chatter, and laughter. But this late at night, it was quiet, dimly lit, and kind of creepy.

  Delight slowed as she approached the main dining area. The voices were raised. Was James upset with Chuck over something? Wouldn’t surprise her if her boss was angry at something the janitor had done. He was the type who found fault with everything and everyone.

  The last thing she wanted was to get caught in the middle of some dispute. She stopped and bit her bottom lip. What should she do? She was just about to turn around and head out the back way—she could always call a cab and have it come to the kitchen entrance—when she heard an unfamiliar voice. Curious now, Delight crept to the end of the hallway and peeked around the corner, being careful to stay in the shadows.

  Two big men flanked her boss while another stood in front of him. At first glance it looked to be no more than four men having a heated conversation. Then one of the men shifted and Delight noticed the gun in his hand. This couldn’t be good.

  “I can pay. I swear it. I just need more time.” Sweat rolled down James Brenner’s face as he pleaded for his life. She might not like the manager, but surely he didn’t deserve to be shot in cold blood. Her heart began to race but she couldn’t look away.

  “You’ve had time.” The man with the gun shook his head regretfully. “My boss has a reputation to uphold.”

  James tried to pull away, but the two goons on either side of him easily contained him, holding him in place. “I’ll pay more.”

  Delight was frozen in place, not knowing what to do. She was afraid to move, almost afraid to breathe, lest she make some noise to draw their attention. That was the last thing she waned.

  She made the mistake of glancing toward the bar and almost cried out before she shoved her hand over her mouth. A pair of denim-clad legs stuck out from behind a table with a mop lying next to them. Chuck. It had to be Chuck, and she couldn’t tell if he was dead or alive.

  When she heard her boss begin to plead again, she snapped her attention back to the scene playing out in the center of the room. The fear in James’s voice grew as he tried to reason with the man who was obviously in charge.

  “If only it was just the money, James.” The man with the gun shook his head and gave a regretful sigh. With his stylish hair and fashionable clothing he looked more like a banker than a killer, but there was a cruel gleam in his eyes that told her he was enjoying James’s fear.

  Shivering, Delight pulled back deeper into the shadows. She would sneak into the office, lock herself in, and call the police. Better yet, she’d barricade herself in the wine cellar and call from there. Why, of all nights, had she forgotten her phone? Right now, when she needed it the most, it was sitting in the charger in her bedroom.

  Before she could take the first step in her plan, the cruel man spoke once again. “You should have kept your mouth shut about Mr. Prince’s business.”

  “I didn’t say anything.” James dropped to his knees, his hands clasped in front of him. She didn’t think pleading was going to do him any good. “Please don’t kill me. I didn’t talk.” He was crying now, tears falling freely down his face. Her knees shook as she took a tiny step back toward the office, her eyes never leaving the scene in front of her.

  “That’s not what Mr. Prince heard.” Without warning, the man raised the gun and fired. Red bloomed on James’s forehead and he swayed for a moment before falling backward. His lifeless body hit the floor with a heavy thud.

  Delight’s gasp of shock was audible in the silence that followed. She slapped her hand over her mouth to stop the sound, but it was already too late. Three pairs of hostile eyes snapped in her direction and then the man with the gun smiled. It was a truly dreadful smile. One that said he had enjoyed what he had just done and was looking forward to dealing with her.

  “Bad luck for you that you worked late tonight, sweetheart. Good luck for me.” Then he laughed.

  The sound of his voice and the laughter that followed snapped her out of her trance. Delight whirled around and raced down the hallway and into the kitchen. Reaching out, she slapped off light switches as she went. She could hear the men swearing and banging into things as they chased her, but she didn’t dare look back. Her only advantage was that she was familiar with the layout of the restaurant and they weren’t. She ran straight through the kitchen, smacking her hip against the counter when she took a turn too sharp. She ignored the pain and slammed through the back emergency door.

  The alarm blared as soon as she opened the door. She could only pray the security company would check on the alarm, considering the time of night. The only question was if help would come quick enough for her and Chuck. There was no hope for James Brenner. He was dead. And she had a sickly feeling that Chuck might be too.

  Her loafers skidded on the pavement as she bolted around the corner of the alleyway. She’d just made the sharp turn when she heard the restaurant door slam open behind her. “Come back here, you little bitch!”

  Like that was going to happen. Delight didn’t break stride. She wasn’t long-legged, but she was fast and she was highly motivated. She was running for her life.

  Usually there were throngs of people on the streets all hours of the day and night, but for some unknown reason they were empty now. There were no late-night revelers to be seen. Not one. In her haste to escape, she’d set out in the wrong direction and was running away from the Quarter, from people, instead of toward it.

  She raced past a drunk passed out against a building. Common sense told her to run into the first open business and get help, but a small voice inside her head warned her that the men chasing her would kill whoever helped her. She couldn’t jeopardize an innocent person’s life.

  It was just like her dream except for one major difference. This was real. Her boss had just been murdered in front of her, three men were chasing her, and when they caught her, they were going to kill her.

  Ignoring the pain in her side and chest, she kept going. If she stopped she was dead. It was that simple. Her lungs burned, her body starved for oxygen, but she never faltered.

  Instinct had her veering to her right and racing toward St. Louis No. 1 Cemetery. It was close to home and familiar to her. If she could lose them there, among the maze of tombstones and mausoleums, she could slip back out, run home, and call the police. She ignored the many obvious flaws in her plan. She couldn’t afford to fail.

  The cemetery wasn’t a safe place for a woman alone after dark but, right now, it was her only hope.

  She had a fleeting wish that the stranger from her dream were here. She could use a knight in shining armor or an avenging angel right about now. Or a cell phone. Since the man in her dreams wasn’t real, she’d be happy to have her damn phone.

  Maybe it was the lack of oxygen getting through to her brain. Maybe it was sheer desperation, but for whatever reason, Delight sent out a mental plea to the man who’d filled her thoughts all day. Help me.

  Shock rocked her when she got a reply. Where are you?

  Okay, the lack of oxygen and fear must be causing her to hallucinate. It was the only explanation she could come up with for hearing a voice in her head. Sucking more air into her lungs, she kept going. Her shoes pounded the pavement, and her breathing grew more ragged. It was hard to hear anything over the beating of her heart, but she knew that the men were right behind her. She could practically feel their evil stalking her.

  Where are you? The voice was more demanding now—male, annoyed, and authoritative.

  Before Delight could even think to reply, she heard a shout behind her.

  “There she is.”

  Risking a glance over her shoulder, she could see her pursuers getting closer. Her legs were shaking and threatening to collapse, but she forged onward. The cemetery was still too far away, so she ducked behind a building, clinging to the shadows.

  She stumbled over something in the darkness and went sprawling, catching herself with her hands before she slammed face-first into the ground. Biting her lip, she swallowed back her cry of pain and pushed herself to her feet. She ignored the sting in her palms and knees and limped farther down the alley.

  The hand came out of nowhere and grabbed her. She found herself spun around and flung to the pitted asphalt before she could pull away. Pain shot through her entire body as she landed hard, skidding across the rocks and dirt. Her clothes took the brunt of the damage, but Delight knew she’d have bruises. That was the least of her worries.

  She rolled onto her side, struggling to catch her breath. She had to move. Before she could attempt to stand, a large male shoe planted itself in the middle of her chest and pushed her flat on her back.

  “I’ve got her.”

  The light from the streetlamp was dim this far back in the alley, but Delight could make out one of the two large goons who’d held James captive at the restaurant. She wrapped both hands around his ankle and tried to push his foot off her chest. He laughed and ground his heel deeper into her sternum. All she could do was gasp with pain as the air was shoved out of her lungs. He was crushing her.

  More cruel laughter echoed in the dark as the other two men joined them. “Well, well. What do we have here?” The man with the cruel face and the banker’s clothing walked around her prone body, like a vulture circling prey, as he taunted her. “Not very pretty, but still, not bad, I suppose.”

  He absently glanced at his watch and sighed. “I don’t have time for you. Pity.” He leaned down, gripped her cheeks between his thumb and fingers and squeezed tight. It was painful enough to leave bruises. Not that it mattered since she expected to die.

  “The boys won’t be too rough with you. And if you don’t fight, it will all be over soon.” With that parting shot, he turned and walked away. “Finish her and then come back to the club. I’ve got a meeting with the boss.” He never looked back as he tossed her death sentence casually over his shoulder.

  The man with his huge shoe buried against her chest just smiled. Delight fought and tried to scream, but nothing came out of her mouth except a low moan. Between the pressure on her chest and fear, she could barely breathe.

  Then the weight was gone. She gasped, desperately trying to drag air into her starving lungs. The strap of her purse was pulled tight across her neck, choking her. Large, hurtful hands grabbed her shirt and ripped it open. Buttons pinged off the wall next to her as her attacker tore the cloth easily. He dug his fingers into her breasts and grunted. “Not much to her, but her tits aren’t bad and they’re real.”

  “Just fuck the little bitch so I can have my turn.” The other man spoke from the shadows, sounding both impatient and excited.

  Delight closed her eyes and gathered her remaining strength. She would fight until there was no breath left in her body. She was under no misconceptions that she could actually win in a fight against the two men, but quitting wasn’t part of her DNA.

  She silently sent her love to Chase and Miss Nadine, knowing that she would never see them again. Tears seeped from the corners of her eyes as she sprawled in the dirt and waited for an opportunity to strike.

  Her attacker leaned closer and licked the side of her face. It was almost enough to make her vomit. “Fight me,” he demanded. He roughly squeezed her breasts and she cried out in pain. “I like it when they fight.”

  The night air stilled and became like a vacuum, absorbing all noise. Menace rolled down the dark alley like a living creature, sweeping through everything in its path. The man on top of her stopped taunting her and raised his head, sensing they were no longer alone.

  There was something out there. Something dangerous. Which sounded totally ludicrous given her current situation. But as much pain as Delight was in, as hard as it was for her to think straight, even she sensed this new threat.

  Then her attacker was gone, disappearing in the blink of an eye, plucked from on top of her by an unseen force. Delight heard the cracking of bones followed by a scream of absolute terror. Then silence.

  Just like my dream, she thought as she drifted in a haze of pain.

  When someone touched her, she jerked back, whimpering with fear and pain. But the strong arms that lifted her off the hard, dirty ground weren’t hurting her. Just the opposite. They were warm and comforting. Protective.

  “I’ve got you, little one.” His voice enveloped her in warmth, cocooned her from the pain.

  There was something important she had to tell him. Her forehead wrinkled as she tried to remember what it was. As he carried her away, she glimpsed the bodies of her two tormentors. There was no doubt in her mind that they were both dead. After all, no one could live with a broken neck.

  Funny how she wasn’t afraid of this man, even though he’d just proved he was a ruthless killer. She recognized him from her dreams and trusted him to keep her safe. Maybe she was dreaming. Maybe she was already dead. But if she was dead, would she still be in pain?

  Delight was utterly confused. There was something she had to tell her rescuer, but the pain kept distracting her.

  An image popped into her mind and she closed her eyes and swallowed hard to keep the bile from rising from her stomach. “They killed him.” Her voice shook and her teeth began to chatter. She knew it was a warm night but she was cold to the bottom of her soul. “My boss. At Etienne’s.”

  “Don’t try to talk.” His lips grazed her forehead and then her cheek. “Give me your memories.”

  Delight wasn’t quite sure what he meant by that. But she felt a slight push in her mind as if someone were trying to come into her brain. Tentatively, she mentally opened the door and felt him drift inside. His power should have frightened her, but it felt right somehow. Memories of the evening began to play in her mind like a motion picture playing in reverse. She shivered and cried out as she relived the murder. The vision abruptly ended.

  “Sleep.” His voice washed over her as he cradled her carefully in his arms. “I will take care of everything. You belong to me now.”

  “Who are you?” It was becoming almost impossible to stay awake. The darkness of unconsciousness loomed in front of her, luring her to its forgetfulness. But she had to know who this man was. He was both fantasy and savior all in one.

  And he was most definitely real.

  “I am Lucian Dalakis.” She felt the deep rumble in his chest as he spoke and snuggled closer to his warmth. “And I am your destiny.”

  Delight was too tired to debate the issue one way or another. Her eyes closed, but she fought the exhaustion pulling at her. “Chase . . .” She tried to convey her worry about her brother, but talking was becoming way too difficult.

  “Trust me, Delight. All will be taken care of.” His arms tightened around her even as his voice lulled her.

  It was foolish to put her trust in a man she didn’t even know, but it was as natural to her as breathing. She didn’t even question how he knew her name. After all, she’d told it to him in her dream.

  As if his word was all she needed, she gave herself over to him and slept.

  Chapter Five

  Lucian strode away from the alley without a backward glance. Delight shivered in his arms even though the evening was warm. He knew it was due to shock more than cold. Anger rolled through him. It was like a rising tidal wave that grew with every step he took. He almost wished that the men lying dead in the dirt were alive, just so he could kill them again. That they would lay their filthy hands on his Delight and harm her was beyond his comprehension. They were lucky he killed them quickly and cleanly when what he’d really wanted to do was rend them limb by limb.

  Delight’s moan pierced his heart like a knife. He wanted to hear her moan, but in pleasure, not in pain or fear. He quickened his pace as he raced through the French Quarter toward his home. Her weight was nothing to him and his speed was faster than the human eye could track. Lucian knew he wouldn’t be content until he had her safely locked behind the walls of his home where he could protect her.

  The front door swung open as he approached. Every muscle in his body clenched, battle-ready. His fangs lengthened and he growled a warning.

  Stefan barely glanced at him. His eyes were glued on Delight. Lucian held her closer to his chest, possessive as he’d never been in his life. He was beginning to understand his older brother a lot better. Cris constantly hovered around Johanna, not wanting another male too near her.