Cursing Athena (Order Of Seven) Read Online Free PDF Page A

gritted teeth. “Try me.”
    Tony tugged at the sleeves of his suit jacket and raised a crooked brow, eyes alight with greed. “Two grand—cash.”
    A soft gasp came from Danika’s direction, her empty serving tray clattering to the floor.
    Ty bent over and quickly retrieved the wayward piece of plastic. He mouthed the words “it’s okay” and “trust me” as he eased the tray into her shaky hands. There was no doubt in his mind he’d regret his actions later, but right now, his only motivation was to protect the gentle beauty trembling in front of him.
    Eyes glassy and full of tears, she mashed her quivering lips together in a desperate attempt to hold in a sob. Her efforts were in vain, a ragged gasp blowing past her lips moments later.
    Eager to ease the blond beauty’s fear, Ty focused his attention on Tony once more, his stomach turning the moment he laid eyes on the sleazy owner. The man was a pimp, a Grade-A, money-hungry loser, and it was clear he ran his business by means of fear and intimidation.
    With his jaw locked and the veins in his neck pulsating with anger, Ty once gain pulled out his roll of cash, quickly shoving several large bills at the waste of flesh standing in front of him.
    Pocketing his newly acquired cash, Tony sneered at Ty. “You just bought yourself one hour in the velvet chair, my friend.” He cast a sidelong glance at Danika and licked his lips. “Make sure you treat him right, sugar, or I’ll ride your ass—hard. You feel me?”
    Rage propelled Ty forward, fists clenched, muscles shaking as he fought to contain the beast within. A deep rumble tore through his chest as he towered over Tony, who in turn looked as though he might wet himself at any moment. “I’m not your friend, asshole. And that two grand you just pocketed bought Danika a night of freedom from your pathetic ass. The lady gets to wait tables without any hassle from you.” He jabbed a finger against Tony’s chest and raised a brow. “You feelin’ me?”
    A coward to the core, Tony recoiled beneath Ty’s heated stare and refused to make eye contact, choosing instead to stare over his shoulder as he let out a shaky laugh. He held up his hands as if to ward Ty off and painted a fake smile across his face. “Yeah, yeah…all right. All right.” Grasping onto his jacket lapels, he rolled his shoulders and exhaled. “The velvet chair is in Salon #1.” He lifted his arm and tapped his wristwatch. “Clock is ticking. Enjoy your hour.”
    No doubt eager to be out from under Ty’s angry stare, he slinked away toward the center of the club, the raucous crowd quickly swallowing him whole.
    Ty turned his attention back to Danika, who continued to shake as she gingerly swept at her tears with her free hand.
    Danika’s unhappiness sent a searing pain knifing through his gut. What was it about her that affected him so? Why couldn’t he just walk away, leave her be?
    Ty cleared his throat and swiped a cocktail napkin off the nearby table. “Here.” He handed her the small scrap of paper, unsure of what to say or how to comfort her. A millennium of battling evil and fighting to survive had left him hard, closed off from any emotions other than rage, lust and the desire to survive. Crying women were beyond his area of expertise.
    “Thank you for that…I…uh…think.” She eyed him with what appeared to be frank suspicion mixed with a heaping dose of unease. Fidgeting with her tray, she cast several nervous glances toward the darkened hallway to her left. “This job…I really…” She blew out a ragged sigh and shook her head. “I…well, I really need it, and the idea of dancing for anyone, especially Alexei…really scares me.”
    She glanced over her shoulder toward the VIP section once more and exhaled what he assumed was a deep sigh of relief. The squatty thug had moved on to greener pastures. A server in a mermaid costume straddled his lap, and his face sat nuzzled between her barely-covered