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Gray never stood a chance.
No one did.
CHAPTER 19
Istuck to the bar. Gray was right. It had the best vantage point. I didn’t like it considering I was staring out into a room full of upper-level demons, but it was the best I had. I nursed the fuck out of my drink, barely touching it more than letting the alcohol brush against my lips. Thanks to the Not-So-Human security guard, I had a standing VIP invitation that I did my best to avoid. I played it off as being particular—needing my time to warm up and get comfortable. While every single one of them fucking pouted playfully about it, they gave me the space I needed. Thank fuck.
The Cove had three floors. The first floor was the hunting ground and the floor I gave the least fucks about. Stripper sirens made their rounds, entertaining unsuspecting men with lap dances. I could feel the transference of energy from where I stood. They were small and inconspicuous as the sirens fed off the enthusiasm and lust.
I didn’t give a fuck what happened on the first floor. Most of the men were safe. They’d go home tired and sleep it off.
The second floor was harder to get access to—probably hidden behind the guise of VIP cost. From what I could tell it was invite-only from one of the sirens walking the floor. Private rooms protected by pink curtains were hidden from view. Very few men went to the second floor. I counted two in the two hours I’d been there. All of them fit the same criteria as previous victims. They were the ones that would come back.
How many men had been taken to those rooms? And what would happen to them after I figured out how to kill a den of sirens? Those were questions I didn’t have the time to figure out.
The third floor was the one I wanted access to. There was a single door, locked and protected. I could almost guarantee that was where they took the men they were kidnapping—hopefully, to keep them alive. There was one way in and one way out. I had no fucking clue what I’d be walking into, but I needed a siren to walk my ass in there.
After that, I had no clue what the hell I would do. And I hated it. The unknown variables set me on edge.
“So, you’re the Sergeant all the girls are excited about,” the bartender said, pulling me from my observations. Dark hair, golden brown eyes, and one hell of a dazzling smile greeted me when I faced her. I felt her energy brush against my skin. Fuck, even the goddamn bartender.
“Guilty as charged,” I replied with a grin.
“And yet you’re here at my bar instead of with them. I’m a lucky girl.” She held out a hand. “I’m Journey.”
Something about a band…
The bartender had targeted Gray.
“Nice to meet you, Journey.” I shook her hand.
“You know, this is the part where you tell me your name.”
“You can call me Sarge,” I told her. Instead of letting go, I turned her hand slightly and ran my fingers over her knuckles. “It strokes my ego.”
“Oh, does it?” She laughed and leaned closer. That energy she gave off increased with the sound. I didn’t dare push back, but I sure as hell kept myself protected. Though, I wasn’t an idiot either. I had to make her believe it was working.
Fuck, I had to flirt with a goddamn demon.
The resemblance to Gray wasn’t lost on me—right down to her sunshine personality. It had to be a siren tactic to draw me in. The fact that she could read me enough to know that bothered me. But I could play into it.
“Are you the kind of guy who likes to be called Sir too?” Journey teased.
“Only good girls can call me Sir,” I replied quietly enough to make her inch closer. Her cheeks flushed slightly. Mission accomplished—though, I wasn’t too sure I should be proud of that. Still, I brought her knuckles to my lips. “Considering you’re a bartender and not a dancer, I’m going to guess I don’t get to pick you as my personal entertainment for the night, do I?”
“I do both. Maybe if you ask me nicely…”
“Not how this game works, sweetheart.” I clicked my tongue at her. “How long until you can leave your spot at the bar?”
“I can leave whenever,” she told me.
“Here’s what I want you to do for me,” I said and kissed the back of her hand, never breaking eye contact. That energy surged off her once more, and I blocked it out. “You’re going to go change for me, sweetheart. Put on your favorite outfit. I don’t care what it is. But you’re going to do so quickly and then come back here. To me. Understand?”
“Yes.”
“That’s my girl. And then you and me, we’re going upstairs to a private room. I want you to dance for me, sweetheart, and only me. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, Sir.” Her voice was barely a whisper as she answered me, utterly enamored. This game was ridiculous. I wanted to bleach my mouth as the words came out.
