Tanner pulled onto the road. “It’s fine so long as they stay outside. Like I said to you on the phone earlier, the smaller our group, the better. Maddox will talk with a small group. If a large bunch of us go in there, Maddox will see it as confrontational.”
“It would also make me seem weak to have lots of backup, I know,” said Jolene. “Have you told Maddox that we’re coming?”
“No. But I don’t think he’ll be surprised to see us there. News of Devon’s kidnapping circulated fast. Given his rep, he’ll know we’ll consider him an obvious suspect.”
The drive to Maddox’s club—which was aptly named, the Damned—was relatively short. Unlike most demonic clubs, it wasn’t located within the Underground. Tanner parked at the far end of the lot and then led both Devon and Jolene to the club. There was a long line of people waiting to get inside, so it was clearly popular. The bouncers instantly recognized him and unclipped the red rope, allowing the three of them to pass. Well that surprised her.
“Are you and Maddox friends or something?” she asked as they walked inside. It was dark, loud, and jam-packed with people. Strobe lights flashed and sliced through the fog-filled air. Patrons crowded the dance floor, moving to the beat that was so intense Devon could feel it through the soles of her shoes.
He put his mouth to her ear, and she just about suppressed a shiver at the feel of his cool breath. “No,” replied Tanner. “Like I said, he and I have an understanding.”
Jolene glanced around, her mouth set into a thin line. “Now what?” she asked, speaking loudly enough to be heard over the thumping music.
“Now we find ourselves a table and sit down,” said Tanner. “Maddox will see us from the window of his office overlooking the dance floor; he’ll come to us.”
Devon frowned. “What makes you so sure of that?”
“Maddox is a control freak. He’ll know why we’re here, and he’ll want to take control of the situation. He’ll approach us before we get the chance to ask for an audience with him.”
Devon managed not to tense when Tanner put a hand on her bare back, his fingers spread out to take up as much skin as possible. The move was nothing short of possessive, but she didn’t comment. Now wasn’t the time. They needed to be focused on the matter at hand.
He found them an empty table not far from the bar and they ordered some drinks—none of which were alcoholic. All three of them wanted to have a clear mind.
Devon was halfway through her orange juice when someone caught her attention. She gaped. “You have got to be kidding me.”
Tracking her gaze, Jolene sighed. “I suppose we should have expected this.”
Standing a few feet away, Khloë did a double-take that was totally false. She sidled up to their table with Raini, who was acting equally shocked.
“Well, what a coincidence,” said Khloë, sliding onto one of the empty seats. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”
Taking her own seat, Raini beamed at them. “My, don’t you look pretty, Devon.”
Tanner sighed. “You didn’t have to do this. Devon’s safe with me.”
“She’s safe with or without you,” Raini told him. “We just wanted to be here in case things went tits up.” She set her glass on the table. “I like this place, even if I am baking hot.”
Fanning her face with her hand, Khloë said, “There are a whole lot of humans here. Poor oblivious humans who don’t realize they’re surrounded by predators. I’m so used to having nights out at the Underground that I didn’t—”
A shadow fell across their table. “Hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
Devon looked up at the male standing in front of them. This had to be Maddox Quentin. Wow, no one had told her the guy was hot. Like blistering hot. Tall, dark, and humming with power, he emanated sex, strength, and danger—a lethal combination for any demon.
He inclined his head. “Tanner, good to see you again.”
“Maddox,” the hellhound greeted simply.
“And just who have you brought with you?” Maddox looked at Jolene and said, “Ah, Jolene Wallis. I’ve heard much about you. Some good. Some bad. All entertaining.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” said Jolene.
“You should.” Maddox’s gaze drifted to Devon and sharpened. “You must be the hellcat I’ve heard so much about today.”
Devon felt him then. Like cold fingertips probing at her mind, testing her defenses. “You really shouldn’t do that.”
Tanner let out a low growl. “Don’t, Maddox. You fuck with her, you fuck with me.”
Maddox didn’t seem concerned by that. He gave a careless shrug and then studied the other two she-demons. “Who are your other friends, Tanner? The little one has the look of a Wallis.” His eyes narrowed on Raini, and then those eyes were glittering with heat. “A succubus. A powerful one. What’s your name?”