Free The Fury by Sloan McBride Page B

smiled, but not with humor. His eyes changed color, first to dark blue then silver, like a kaleidoscope. She had to do something. Using all her strength, Reese stomped down with her heel and dug it into Abu’s foot.
    “ Shakaah ,” he yelled and shoved her away.
    Reese straightened up, readjusted her blouse and slung her hair back so she could glare at both of them. They treated her like some kind of possession and were acting childish.
    “Number one—,” she pointed at Abu who was rubbing his foot, “—I’m not a piece of meat and I’m certainly not someone who chooses to be in the middle of all this male insecurity.” She turned on Dagan who still glared at Abu. “And you are a piece of work. He and I were dancing. You have no right to stop me from dancing with him or anyone else?”
    “You are under my protection.”
    Abu chuckled and Dagan stepped forward. Reese put her hand on his chest.
    “You need to stop. This is ridiculous.”
    Abu reached around her waist and pulled her flush against him. He leaned down and nuzzled his nose against her neck. “You are fiery and brazen. I like that in a woman.” He gently bit her shoulder. “Your blood sings to me, Reese. I want to taste it.”
    Her eyes flew wide. Dagan leapt toward Abu and grabbed him by the throat, using his other hand to snatch Abu’s ponytail and yank it.
    “Don’t touch her ever again.”
    “You know there are better ways to get my attention,” another voice called out in a lilting accent.
    Dagan and Abu both turned in the direction of the sound. The onlookers parted to admit a well-built mountain of a man. Were there no normal people in this place?
    Dagan let go of Abu. He grabbed Reese by the arm and walked toward the other man. “Where in the name of Nammu have you been? I was just getting ready to kick your brother’s ass.”
    The new man laughed. “You two never give up. It’s been what, several thousand years? You’d think you could just let things go.”
    “Not likely.” Abu fixed his gaze on Reese. “Until we meet again.” He bowed, turned and disappeared in the throng of people.
    The music started playing and the mob broke up.
    “Come on,” the blond guy said, and led them to the opposite bar at the very end, away from the music as much as possible.
    “So what brings you here, Dagan? And who’s your pretty friend?”
    Dagan ordered a whiskey straight up for himself and another amaretto sour for Reese.
    “Nazi, this is Reese Whittaker. Reese, meet Nazi. He’s who I came to see.”
    “Nice to meet you, Reese. Please excuse my brother. He’s used to taking what he wants.”
    “Nazi.” She inclined her head. “Another one with no last name?”
    “Obviously.”
    “Yeah, well, your brother was a complete gentleman. Dagan, however—” she focused her glare on him, “—has a lot to learn about manners.”
    Dagan snorted.
    “You are so right, but don’t let Abu fool you. He would have taken you out back and fed on you for a while.”
    She coughed and Dagan patted her back. “Nazi.”
    “Why don’t I take Ms. Whittaker out of your hair, boys?”
    Reese turned watery eyes to see the same woman Dagan had spoken with earlier.
    “Don’t worry.” The woman cuddled up to Dagan. “I won’t let anything happen to her. Come on, sweetie.”
    She waited for Reese to pick up her drink and follow her away from the bar. “Damn tired of getting tossed around like a salad,” Reese murmured as she followed the beautiful woman, whom she hated on principal.
    “Don’t sweat it, hon. You’d think that as long as they’ve been around they would realize that the female of the species,” the woman smiled, “any species, is the better part of the deal.”
    Reese nodded.
    “I’m Ninti. Nazi and Abu are my brothers.”
    “I feel for you.”
    Ninti chuckled. “You’re spunky. Beware of Abu. He’ll snatch you up the first chance he gets.”
    Nazi and Abu were so totally different, not only in looks, but in personality