“Yes, Gadreel?” Lucas asked.
“I’ve brought her things from the motel, as you asked.” Gadreel’s eyes landed on me and lingered, like he was intrigued by my presence. I wondered if Lucas made these sorts of deals with women regularly, or if I was the first one to become the devil’s plaything for seven nights.
Lucas idly waved a hand. “Put them in the guest room.”
“Of course, my lord.” Gadreel gave a quick bow before exiting the room. Did Lucas really demand such old-fashioned obedience from his people?
Lucas’s intense gaze turned back to me. “If you’re wondering about our deal, I assure you my best people are looking into your friend’s disappearance and should have some leads soon. I expect we’ll know a lot more tomorrow.”
I swallowed, feeling a tiny trickle of hope and relief. “Thank you.”
“I always fulfill my end of the bargain.” His emerald eyes drew me in, and I was powerless to look away. “Now, it’s time for you to fulfill yours.”
4
Hannah
A long black limo drew up at the curb outside the front of The Celestial. I was pretty sure we got in at the back while the front was arriving at our destination. The spectacle was even more eye-opening than my low-cut black silk dress, which Lucas had delivered after he’d discovered I’d brought nothing formal to wear to Las Vegas. Or more accurately, that I didn’t own anything formal. Nothing that would live up to his standards anyway.
I’d never been in a limo, as far as I could remember. It was leather-everything with windows tinted so dark they seemed to be part of the interior walls rather than actual windows. My gaze kept drifting to the sunroof and the Vegas lights that played through the glass like some kind of neon kaleidoscope. I pictured myself hanging out of it and waving at passing cars like in a movie, but I refrained. This wasn’t a joyride, or a date even—this was part of a deal with a dangerous man to find my missing friend. I couldn’t forget that, no matter how glamorous it all was.
Or how gorgeous my captor was.
Lucas was the epitome of cool, calm, and collected as he sat back in his seat and straightened his tuxedo cuffs. Yes, he wore an actual tuxedo. Even in my new dress, which probably cost more than my monthly salary, I felt completely out of place at his side.
“I’ve decided each of our seven nights will represent one of the Deadly Sins,” he said, with a roguish smile that made my knees weak.
My breath caught as I imagined what those sins were. Wrath, envy, lust. “And tonight is…?”
His mischievous green eyes danced with amusement, as though he knew exactly which sin I was thinking about. “Tonight is gluttony. I hope you’re hungry.”
A silent sigh of relief left me. Gluttony I could handle. “Starving, actually. I haven’t eaten since this morning.”
Lucas tutted. “I did tell you to order room service.”
My hands twisted in my lap. “I’ve been too worried about my friend to eat much. Do you have any leads on what happened to her?”
“Not yet, but my people are combing the hotel’s security footage now.” He looked me right in the eye with complete confidence and seriousness. “I promised you I would find her, and I will. Do not doubt that.”
I nodded slowly and looked away before I lost myself in his dark, burning gaze. Worry for Brandy still stifled me, but I tried to push it aside. There was nothing more I could do at this point, except have faith that Lucas could find her.
The limo stopped outside the Bellagio, a massive hotel that looked like some kind of fairytale castle framing the huge lake of water and gorgeous fountains. The window slid smoothly down in front of me and music floated on the night air, while the fountains moved in time to it and lights splashed across the water.
“Look at the fountains,” I said with a gasp. When I turned to Lucas, he watched me with an unreadable expression on his all-too-handsome face, and I turned quickly back to the fountains.
The car drew to a smooth stop right in front of the hotel. Other cars raced by, but I lost myself for a few moments in the spectacle and the music. I'd never seen water sway like that before. Like it was alive.
Lucas stepped out of the limo when the driver opened the door, then he turned and held his hand out for me. I scooted over as best I could in the snug dress, trying not to snag it on my gorgeous heels. They’d arrived with my dress, and I’d nearly died when I saw the red bottom of the heels—the signature style of Christian Louboutin. I didn’t know much about fashion, but Brandy did, and she’d always coveted his shoes. Maybe I could sneak these back to Vista when this was all over and give them to her.
I took Lucas’s hand as I stepped out of the limo, and his eyes raked over me with something like hunger in them. Then he slowly lifted my hand to his lips, pressing a lingering kiss inside my wrist. I released a breath and met his gaze in surprise. The heat from his lips traveled right through me, straight to my core, and probably scorching my panties right off. How did he know that was my spot, the one that drove me wild and stoked my desire like nowhere else?
“You look exquisite,” he said in a low voice.
“Thank you.” I smoothed the dress, my
