Mister Black: A Billionaire SEAL Story, Part 1 (In the Shadows) Read Online Free PDF Page B

drinks.
    He’s forced to yank me against him or we’ll both fall, but the jarring jolt is enough to knock some sense into me. The music rushes in my ears and it hits me; the song isn’t even a slow one, yet we’d tuned everyone out but us for a short time. I laugh at myself, at how caught up I’d gotten, and push against his chest. When his arms don’t budge, I clear my throat and look anywhere but at him.
    We’re bumped again by a couple of guys goofing off, their antics breaking us apart. One of the guys grips my waist to steady me, calling out over the music, “Sorry!” Pausing, the guy—whose thick-chested body would’ve been more suited to a Frankenstein than his Dracula costume—glances down at me, then quickly twists me into a fast dip, murmuring in a suggestive tone against my neck, “Hmm, how ’bout I carry you off to my lair.”
    Before I can tell him to release me, we’re both yanked upright. Black has a tight grip on his shoulder.
    “Release her, Nick.” His tone is quiet, deadly.
    “Chill man, just getting into my role,” Nick says in a laidback tone as he tries to shrug him off.
    Black’s hand doesn’t move. “I’m going to ask you nicely once more. Take your hands off her.”
    Nick narrows his gaze for a second, then releases me, raising his hands. “See, no problem.”
    “Step outside to the terrace and sober up.”
    “What?” Nick attempts to wave Black off, but before he can argue further, Nick’s suddenly on his knees in the middle of the crowd. “Ow, you dick! Let go of my shoulder.”
    “Did. I. Stutter?”
    Black manages a menacing tone without raising his voice. I watch the exchange, impressed with how quickly he moves. And the sheer lethalness he projects.
    He must dig his thumb deeper for emphasis, because Nick suddenly winces in pain, hissing out, “Fine. I’ll go outside.”
    Black nods toward the French doors. “Head out. I’d better not see you in here for at least a half hour.”
    The second Nick walks outside, Black’s eyes fill with satisfaction and he says in a low tone while placing his hand on the small of my back, “The bastard’s lucky I’m in a generous mood tonight.”
    “Thanks,” I say. “I think that vampire definitely had his share of alcohol for the evening.” That was generous? If Cass were telling me this story, I’d be inclined to think of Black as an arrogant Neanderthal, but witnessing his primal instinctiveness in action, I realize his job is more than just a career choice; it’s an extension of him. He defused the situation quickly and efficiently. Like a professional.
    Shit, what would he do with me if he found out why I’m here? Anxious, I use the song’s fast pace as an excuse to edge back from him a bit while I glance around for Cass.
    As soon as my line of sight locks on her dancing with a guy with light brown hair dressed in a formal white uniform, I’m fully brought back to the reason I’m here. She sure had ditched Damien fast. I wonder how Mr. Uniform fits into her “Celeste revenge” plan.
    I realize Black is watching me, so I tilt my chin toward Cass and her dancing companion. “Who’s the Navy guy?”
    He clasps my waist once more and spins us around, only glancing in their direction once we’ve made a full circle. “You recognize his uniform as Navy?”
    “Everyone knows formal white is Navy. Who is he?”
    “Not everyone.” He shakes his head, his lips tilting in bemusement. “That’s Calder.”
    “I thought wearing a mask was a requirement to get into this exclusive bash. Why isn’t he wearing one?”
    He shrugs. “Cald’s decision not to change the uniform is respected.”
    “Oh, he’s really in the Navy?”
    With his nod, I realize exactly what Cass is doing. A girl like Celeste would never cozy up to a military guy. One in a costume, with millions in the bank, sure, but she’d consider a sailor on a government salary way beneath her social tier. I glance around, and sure enough, some people