Shadow Moon Series

LARA

The beat of the music pumped through her blood.

It was calling to her to move with the rhythm and to never stop. To lose herself, to lose control—and most important—to forget for one second what she was and what she did.

She had felt empty inside since running away from him, and this was the next best option.

Bodies and bodies pressed upon themselves, swaying together to the music to get just one moment of pleasure.

In the middle of those bodies was Lara, dancing with anyone close enough. Nobody cared who they were with or why they were there; they were all just looking for someone willing to join in for the experience.

Lara just closed her eyes, letting go of her mind. Yesterday’s drama had made her cranky. Bill had not been pleased by her failure, even if it was the first time.

“Agent, what persuaded you to leave the mark alive? It sounds like you had the perfect opportunity when he was on top of you.” His voice had been the angriest she has ever heard.

“Look, you don’t understand—” she had tried to explain but was interrupted yet again.

“No, you don’t understand. Not only did you keep him alive, but you also showed him your face. That is all powerful men need to find people. His resources are almost as good as ours.

“You will have to disappear now. Get out of that town as fast as you can. Meet up in four days at home base three. We will need to think of a new strategy to get rid of him. Sooner rather than later, for your sake. Over and out.”

And that was why she found herself in a nightclub, her body pressed against complete strangers—trying to forget her failures, even if it was for one night.

She had made it three states away from the target and was only one day’s drive away from HB3. She had taken a little breather, which she figured might as well enjoy since, in a couple of days, Bill would probably kill her.

An arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her from the thoughts of her failure. She turned her head to the side, eyeing the guy it belonged to.

Dark hair, sharp cheekbones, and eyes most likely dark since the club was blacked out, but right now, she didn’t care.

Even though he didn’t have green eyes, golden hair, strong bones, and full lips that could tempt even a nun, he would have to do.

The man pushed harder into her back at the same time as his hold tightened on her waist, derailing her wicked thoughts, and she had to mentally kick herself for thinking of him.

She took the opportunity to enjoy the stranger dancing behind her, once again imagining it was a certain other man. The music was slow, but things were heating up.

She felt his bulge pressing into her ass, his hands on her stomach holding her in place, tempting her to do more.

Hands roamed up and down her body, only stopping when they landed on her hips, a couple of inches away from her core.

Her instincts kicked in and she knew immediately what he was about to do. She used her elbows to push him off. A voice deep down screamed at her to leave, and she listened.

Turning around to face him, she finally noticed the hungry look in his eyes that hadn’t been there earlier. Eyes that said he would take what he wanted even if a girl said no.

“Got to go to the bathroom,” she shouted over the music. Without waiting for his response, she turned around and pushed her way through the swaying bodies toward the ladies’ room.

Double-checking to make sure he did not follow her, she bent herself lower and then shot between the people, making her way past them and under the red letters that stood out from the darkness: EXIT.

Fresh air hit her face, sobering her up really quickly. The guy had given her a creepy vibe. Just the memory of him sent goosebumps trickling down her spine and made her want to leave.

Secretly, she was relieved, since a whole day of driving was in her future.

Spotting the rental car a couple of yards away, her feet moved on their own accord, but just as she almost reached it, a hand grabbed her arm hard out of the blue.

Twirling around, she came face-to-face with the creep from moments earlier.

In better light, she made out his face in more detail. Black eyes, hair just as dark and very oily, and a smile with missing teeth—probably the result of a lot of drug use—pushed into her face.

“Where you going, baby? We were having so much fun.” His words were a bit slurred from all the alcohol.

“I have work early in the morning. Got to go.” She stepped back, but his grip on her strengthened, his cold fingers digging into her skin, stopping her from getting away.

“Maybe I can come with you and help with falling asleep,” he said, giving her a wink.

Lara let out a silent sigh as she wondered if the move ever worked on any women, let alone sober ones.

“Listen, pal, it was fun and all, but now I really need to go. So, are you going to let go of me, or do I have to make you?” She slowly spread her feet apart, pushing her shoulders back, getting ready for anything.

A smile spread across his face as if he thought that was funny.

His reaction fueled her anger. Enough of this bullshit.

Lara grabbed his open jacket, yanking his body toward her while at the same time bringing the flat palm of her other hand up toward his face, making contact.

Crack.

“Ow,” was all he managed to say. He finally let her go, his hands shooting up and covering his nose, blood pouring between his fingers.

“I did warn you.”

Not sparing him another glance, she turned around and walked over to the car. The alarm beeped as she unlocked it and she got in, driving away.

As the little pussy got smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror, she smiled to herself, just glad she could still kick some ass.

If only she had been able to react the same to the green-eyed man.