Night's Promise

by Sandy Lynn

  She gave a throaty laugh that went straight to his cock. “You know I’ll be there. I can’t seem to stay away.”

  “I’ll see you when you get here.”

  “I’ll see you soon, Duncan. I love you.” Before he could respond she hung up the phone. She always did that, as though she were afraid to hear his response, or the silence that would follow if he didn’t feel the same way.

  Motioning to the blonde bartender, he ordered a soda, uncaring that she was the same woman who gave him a show several weeks earlier.

  “So, what are you doing later,” she asked huskily, her fingers plucking at the neckline of the low-cut top she wore.

  “Sorry, I’m busy.” Without a second glace at her, Duncan looked at the clock and took the soda back over to Dani.

  Placing the drink in front of her he said, “She’ll be here in about ten minutes.” She looked like she’d swallowed something nasty. He decided she needed to have a little time alone before Lalita arrived. Moving to the shadows, he continued to think about Melissa.

  When should he ask her how she felt about being changed? Would she be offended? Happy? Nervous?

  As usual his thoughts drifted back to her nightmare. It was unfair of him to know something so intimate about her, something she hadn’t volunteered. He felt guilty for having the knowledge, even if he hadn’t slipped into her mind consciously. He determined to tell her a bit about his own past, refusing for her to make such an important decision on whether or not she wished to be changed without knowing—truly knowing—what kind of man he was.

  Watching from the shadows, he saw Lalita sit down. The two women spoke for a few minutes then disappeared into the back room. They returned to the main room almost immediately with a bag in Dani’s hand. Duncan wandered into the back room, for lack of anything else to do now that he’d made his decision to talk about the future with Melissa.

  “Gee, you look really busy to me,” the bartender said, leaning against the door. Taking a step closer, she slid her hand up her shirt to her breast, cupping the weight in her palm.

  “What can I say, I’m a busy guy.”

  “Do you think you can take time out of your busy schedule to help me out with a small problem?”

  He shrugged. “Depends on what you need.”

  Walking to him slowly, the blonde took his hand and placed it on her breast. “Mmm. That’s a really good start.”

  He pulled his hand back as though burned. “I have a girlfriend.”

  “That’s okay. I’m not looking for a boyfriend. I just want to have a little fun. And I heard that you know how to show a girl one hell of a good time. I’ve heard some of the other staff call you a freak. It’s been entirely too long since I’ve gotten freaky.”

  “I don’t think you understand.” His eyes narrowed. “I’m with someone. I won’t cheat on her. I sincerely think you should rethink your choice of playmates, because I’m not playing that game anymore.”

  “Spoilsport.”

  “Yup.” Duncan left the room without looking back at her. Let her get herself off, he thought irritably. Seeing Bram enter the club, he strode purposefully toward his friend. “You just missed Dani.”

  “She left?”

  “Yeah, she grabbed a change of clothes from the back room then she and Lalita left.”

  “Lalita. You let her leave with Lalita.” Bram closed his eyes, a strained expression on his face.

  Duncan decided after the irritating blonde bartender, he was up for a little fun. “Looks like our little girl is finally coming out of her shell. That’s great, because damn, she’s hot. I would never have guessed that she was hiding such a killer body under those baggy clothes…” He saw Bram’s hand ball into a fist just before he shoved it behind his back to hide it, but kept his mouth shut about Duncan’s comments. So, you want to play hardball? Yeah, you need to realize you need to make a move on her. “Do you think she’d go out with me?” He acted like he couldn’t sense Bram’s discomfort. “When she gets back I think I’m going to ask her out,” he continued, as though his friend had agreed he thought she’d go out with him. “Do you think she minds getting a little rough?”

  Bram growled low in his throat. “Do what you want,” he said through clenched teeth.

  Damn, you really have it bad if you haven’t noticed I’m with Melissa. “Awesome. You gonna be in the control room later?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Cool.” He paused. Okay, I’ll give it one more try, then I’m out of it. “Maybe I’ll follow Gareth’s lead and just take Dani to the back room, fuck her brains out there…”

  Before he could finish his sentence, Bram had him pinned to the floor, his forearm pressing hard against Duncan’s throat. If he were human he’d have been dead from the pressure alone. “If you ever treat Dani like anything other than a lady, you’ll be kissing daylight.”

  “Damn, it’s about time. Shit, you know it’s kind of fucked up that I even had to go there before you laid claim to her. Now will you please stop trying to crush my Adam’s apple?” Bram released him, but continued to glare at him. “Every man that works in this place knows she’s off-limits, Bram.” He clued his friend in as he rubbed his throat. I hope this heals before Mel sees me. The last thing I need is for her to baby me. He thought about it for a second. Then again…

  “But we’re just friends.”

  Yeah, and I’m the pope. He rolled his eyes. “Yeah, right. And how many of your ‘friends’ have you given unlimited access to the club? Dude, every man here knows that if Dani walks up, no matter if we are closed, she’s to be allowed inside, and call you.”

  “Then why didn’t you call me when she got here earlier?” he snapped.

  Duncan shrugged. “She didn’t want me to. But you were the first thing she asked about.”

  “I’m a thing, gee, thanks.”

  I don’t have time for this, he growled in his head. “You know what I mean. But, remember, just because we all know she’s off limits, doesn’t mean everyone else knows. Especially when you let her go off and dance with strange men, letting them think they have a chance with her…”

  Bram shrugged. “It isn’t my place to stop her.”

  “How clueless can you be?” He tried to keep himself from laughing out loud. “Maybe you should go up to the control room. You need to watch that video of you and her dancing, guy. You didn’t even dance like that with La…” Shaking his head, he continued. “Go, watch the video. I swear, even though you can see other people dancing around you two, you’d swear you were alone.” Duncan walked off, giving him a chance to think about what he said.

  Turning discreetly, he saw Bram disappear through the door. Smiling, he walked behind the bar and helped himself to a glass of water.

  *

  Melissa arrived at the club. Looking around it was easy to see she’d gotten here early. The majority of the regulars wouldn’t be appearing for another few hours.

  Hands circled her waist and she began to push her elbow back, intending to jab whoever it was in the stomach before ripping them apart.

  “Relax, Angel. It’s just me.”

  Hearing Duncan’s voice, she managed to stop herself from hurting him. She hated it when he tricked her into doing it, always felt guilty as hell when she hit him. Okay, she silently admitted, I feel guilty most of the time…

  “Come with me.”

  “Where are we going?”

  “It’s a surprise.”

  She allowed him to lead her over to the bar. To her surprise she saw a door hidden in the shadows just to the side of it. As they passed through it, Bram was entering the club. “I’ve never noticed that,” she said more to herself than to him.

  “Most people don’t. Which is a good thing.” He smiled. Taking her hand, he led her up a set of stairs and through a door on the right.

  Looking at the series of screens, Melissa’s eyes widened. She’d never guessed they had the place wired with surveillance cameras. Moving from one screen to another she
saw the back room and her mouth hung open.

  “You can—did you watch—oh. My. Gods.” One look back at Duncan, sitting casually in a chair, at the sly smile on his face told her he had watched her brother and La have sex.

  He shrugged, his smile never slipping.

  “Why did you bring me up here?” She couldn’t stop her curiosity. “Do people have sex in that room a lot?”

  “I wanted to talk to you. We need to talk.”

  Oh gods. He’s breaking up with me. Her throat closed at the thought. He’s bored with me. He doesn’t want someone that’s such a wreck. Gods, I’m not good enough in bed. This wasn’t supposed to happen so soon. I thought we had at least a few more weeks. Melissa struggled to keep herself from hyperventilating, amazed when her voice sounded calm. “I’m listening.”

  “Sit down,” he told her, standing.

  This is not good. Not good at all. Despite her inner panic she obeyed, sitting on the warm chair.

  “There’s something I have to tell you, and I hope you understand. It’s okay if you don’t, but I hope you’ll at least hear me out before you comment.”

  Oh gods, now he’s giving me permission to be angry. Who does he think he is, she wondered, anger already blossoming within her. She welcomed the feeling; it felt so much better than the fear and insecurity.

  “There’s no easy way to say this…”

  “Then just say it and let’s get this over with,” she told him, her voice cold.

  Duncan nodded and began. “I know what happened the day you ran away from home. I know what happened while you were on the streets, and how Gareth became your brother.”

  Of all the things she was expecting to hear from him, that was the last thing on her mind.

  “You—you snooped through my head?” She couldn’t help it, she began yelling, her hands covering her body. She felt so violated.

  “No. I swear. Melissa, Angel, look at me. I swear to you, I would never do that. I promised you I wouldn’t and I never did. The only time I’ve ever gone into your mind was to bring you pleasure.”

  “Then how?” She was too angry to be embarrassed by his statement.

  “Your nightmare. I was sleeping. I must have felt you struggling, in my arms, in your mind, I’m not sure exactly, but I know I shared your dream.”

  “No, that’s impossible. Gareth showed me how to block my mind. How to block anyone from entering my dreams. He learned—got instructions from one of the best sorcerers in the country. There’s no way you could have slid into my dream.” She shook her head.

  “Those methods work most of the time. But there are circumstances…”

  Closing her eyes, Melissa couldn’t bear to look at him when she asked the next question. “What did you see?” A tear slid down her cheek.

  “Everything,” he admitted softly. “Look at me, Mel.”

  She shook her head, refusing to see the pity in his face. No wonder he hasn’t wanted to be near me the past few nights. A knife twisted in her heart as she realized how much he must pity her. No wonder he wants to break up with me. Hell, after finding that information out, I’d want to break up with myself.

  “Just get it over with. Just break up with me now and get it over with. I don’t need to look at you while you do that.”

  “Mel, Angel…I wish you could see yourself through my eyes. I—” Duncan grew quiet. She was tempted to open her eyes, to try to see what was going on inside his head. “I want you to see what I see. Open your mouth,” he commanded gently. Another tear slid down her face as she obeyed without thought. “Suck.”

  A warm coppery taste covered her tongue, and her eyes flew open. Duncan watched her intently as she automatically swallowed the blood.

  “That should be enough.” He pulled his finger from her mouth and licked the puncture wound. “I’m going to enter your mind—but only to show you the door. I’ll talk you through this, love. Close your eyes and open your mind, allow your thoughts to roam where they want.”

  Nodding, she obeyed his instructions.

  Chapter Twelve

  “I’ve never done this. If you’ve had enough of my blood, you should feel me enter. You should be able to sense me and hear me speak to you.”

  Melissa nodded again. Her face scrunched slightly when she felt something unfamiliar in her mind. The feeling wasn’t unpleasant; the touch was light and radiated warmth.

  Can you hear me?

  She automatically answered him aloud. “Yes. It’s low, like a whisper, but I hear you.”

  “I want you to search for me inside your mind.”

  “I’ll try.” Melissa concentrated on finding the source of warmth in her mind. After a few minutes she felt a caress to her cheek as his image appeared in front of her closed eyes. He was smiling.

  “Good.” “Now, follow me. Imagine a door, see yourself following me through it. Don’t be afraid if you don’t recognize anything around you.” Duncan reached for her hand and Melissa was surprised when she felt it close around her own, even though part of her brain told her she could still feel both of his hands resting on her knees. “I’ll be beside you every step of the way. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

  She allowed him to lead her. Her breathing grew quicker when she felt herself moving in unfamiliar surroundings. Her first instinct was to pull away, to retreat as fast as she could back to everything familiar.

  “Don’t fight it.” Giving a gentle tug, he pulled her farther inside of his head. Opening his eyes, she gasped as she saw herself sitting in the chair. But instead of the image she’d seen reflected to her when she looked in the mirror as she dressed, she saw a woman who could be a model.

  Her long hair looked like expensive silk, her skin was creamy and appeared flawless. Her lips were parted slightly and she felt the urge to kiss them. Arms circled her waist.

  “When I look at you, this is what I see. A beautiful woman. The most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

  “I don’t really look like that.”

  “Yes, you do. Angel, to me you are everything I could want. You don’t have to take my word for it. Just look around. My thoughts, my feelings are here for you to see. Nothing is hidden.”

  Melissa swallowed the lump in her throat. “I can look anywhere?”

  “Anywhere.”

  Suddenly she was surrounded by doors. Opening the first one to her left, she was pushed back into his arms by the sudden overwhelming desire flooding her. Straightening, she stepped through the open door once again and saw herself in his arms. His thoughts drifted around her.

  She’s so beautiful. I don’t deserve such an angel in my life. I don’t even think she realizes exactly what she’s given to me tonight.

  Tears filled her eyes as she listened to his thoughts. They had just made love for the second time, and as she watched herself sleeping, she was astonished by the depth of his thoughts. Nowhere could she detect anything but utter contentment and concern as he wondered if he had hurt her. She felt his refusal to snoop inside her mind to gain an answer, to gain peace of mind.

  Stepping out of the memory, she looked at the doors.

  “Duncan, you don’t have to do this—” she began.

  “I want you to know the truth. You deserve to know the truth about me before this goes any farther.”

  He led her down the hall. The longer they walked, the colder she felt, actually shivering from the lack of warmth.

  “Why is it so cold?”

  “This is my past Melissa. This is the man I was, the man I am. This is the real me, the one you need to see.” He gestured to the doors.

  Looking around she didn’t want to open any of the doors, but she knew she had to see one memory, if only to give him peace.

  Opening a door on the right, she stepped through it alone.

  *

  Duncan looked at the woman wearing a once-stylish dress, her face haggard. Hair that used to gleam in the light surrounded her face, now limp and dull.

  “I need more time,�
�� she pleaded.

  He stood there, not giving her any clues to his thoughts.

  “I’ll do anything.”

  He considered her offer. It would be nothing to him to pay her debt off. She could clean his house; perhaps warm his bed once she got off the drugs poisoning her system. Even now he could see that she was pretty.

  Duncan opened his mouth to accept her offer, but the woman pressed forward, trying to save herself.

  “You can have my daughter for more time. Mary Louise,” she yelled.

  A girl came out from some back room wearing little more than rags, hugging the wall as she moved. It was clear she was afraid. She couldn’t have been older than sixteen.

  “She’s a virgin. She’ll let you do anything you want to her. I promise she won’t fight you. If you give me more time, her virginity is yours.” The girl flinched but stayed where she was, her head bowed as her mother tried to barter her body. “Show him,” the mother ordered. The girl slowly lowered herself to her knees.

  Fury consumed him. What mother would give her child to a man for more time? It was the wrong move. The girl’s hands were on his pants as she began to unbutton them. Duncan quickly stepped back, not allowing her to go any farther, his anger growing when the girl flinched as he moved away from her.

  “What good are you to me? You’ve been nothing but trouble since you were born. Now you can’t even help me to gain a few more days to pay off my debt.”

  His eyes narrowed and his voice was as cold as ice when he spoke. “You are giving your daughter to me?”

  The woman nodded enthusiastically.

  “To treat however I please?”

  “Of course. She is yours.” Mary Louise flinched at her mother’s rejection.

  “Let’s see how well she can obey commands. Mary Louise, close your eyes. Now,” he commanded. She looked up at him, her eyes pleading, filled with terror. But he refused to respond, keeping his face carefully emotionless.

  “You heard him,” the mother screamed. She raised her hand threateningly and Mary Louise flinched. The girl’s eyes closed instantly. “If she does not listen, slapping her or limiting how much she eats works well. Do these and I promise she will quickly learn to please you.”