Free The Fury by Sloan McBride Page A

the raised platforms were three-sided cages where blond girls in white go-go boots danced. In front of the cages but down another level sat large green disks with stairs leading up to them so that showcase dancers could strut their stuff. Down another level lay the very crowded wooden dance floor. Beyond that were tables and chairs to sit, and on both sides of the seating area were bars that ran approximately sixteen to eighteen feet. Four different bartenders handled each side and they seemed to carry the burden of the crowd with ease.
    “This is amazing,” she said over the music blasting from several floor to ceiling speakers.
    “I know, that’s why we love coming here.”
    He shuffled her to the only empty table near the back.
    The music changed again to a Marvin Gaye song and she said, “So tell me again why we’re here.”
    “I need to see someone.”
    His vague answer irritated her. With everything they’d been through already, surely he didn’t think anything he’d say would frighten her. Before she could ask anymore, he got up.
    “Wait here,” he ordered and left.
    Reese’s temper bristled. Did he really think she would sit like an obedient child while he mingled and ignored her?
    She watched him walk toward the bar closest to her and approach a tall, slender brunette. The woman had extremely long legs, a pair of black boots that went up over her knees and a skirt that barely covered her butt. If her boobs were any bigger, Reese mused, the neon tube top would be irreparably misshapen. A waitress came to take her order. A few moments passed before she glanced to where Dagan had been standing. He had disappeared along with the brunette.
    Reese tapped her finger to the beat of the music and sipped her amaretto sour. She’d been really looking forward to coming here. Okay, so the events of the last twenty-four hours had been bizarre and frightening and her bodyguard irritated the crap out of her, but it had been forever since she’d actually gone on a real date. She missed dancing.
    Dagan had been gone for some time and she wondered if she should go look for him. Sighing, she turned her attention to the dance floor. A hot, good looking man approached her table.
    “Would you care to dance, miss?”
    His voice was smooth like Vermouth and carried a European accent. Penetrating blue eyes beckoned her and she couldn’t resist. “Thank you, I’d like that.” She took the hand he offered.
    People parted as he led the way to the dance floor. Everyone stared at them as they passed. The band changed the tempo to something slow and the man pulled her close. He wound his left arm around her waist to the small of her back with fingertips splayed across her backside. The previously overrun floor now seemed deserted, or maybe she’d lost all concept of anyone else in the room. How could that be? She fought the urge to lay her head on his shoulder and let him negotiate the dance floor carrying her along. His movements were intoxicating and seductive and yet he’d not spoken to her since he’d asked her to dance.
    In a charismatic voice, he whispered in her ear. “What’s your name?”
    “Reese.”
    “’Tis beautiful and so are you.” He smiled and she felt a sudden need to kiss him. This was the second man in the last two days who had that kind of effect on her. She needed to get a grip.
    “I think you’ll be taking your hands off her now, Abu.”
    Reese stiffened at the steely voice. She turned to see Dagan glaring at the man holding her.
    “We’re having a nice time, Dagan. I hesitate to let it end so soon.”
    His cordial tone didn’t fool Reese, the warning had been crystal clear. Abu pulled her closer to the hard muscle and strength coiled in his body, ready to strike. If he and Dagan knew each other she’d bet him to be another form of mythical being and this could get ugly, real quick. She tried to pull away but Abu wouldn’t release her.
    Dagan’s nostrils flared and his eyes darkened. Abu