Chapter 1
Cassadaina studied the crowd below her carefully. Her brother in-law’s friend and partner Mitch McGregor had warned her that there might be trouble in her club tonight and she had taken heed. So far everything looked normal but she knew that looks could be deceiving. Professional criminals of every type would know how to blend into a crowd if needed. Movement along the wall caught her eye and she tensed. Mitch had told her to expect trouble but he hadn’t mentioned who it would be from and now she wished he had. Coland Pestro was well known in Lancaster for his ruthless underground clubs and tactics. There could only be one reason why he would be here tonight, Dane Shelvoni. Dane had come here earlier claiming that he needed a break from his work and she had let him in because of how stressed he had looked. Now she had to wonder if he’d known he’d been a target. Shaking her head Cassadaina kept her gaze trained on Coland as she made her way to the staircase. As she neared Coland he suddenly stopped as he neared the door that led to her office. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed Dane getting up from the bar. Sending up a silent prayer that he would hear her she called the necessary energy to her and extended it towards Dane. The minute she had the connection she took a deep breath. I wouldn’t move from the bar. Coland is in the bar and from the way he’s moving he intends to cause harm. Stay put and let me handle this. Cassadaina felt Dane’s shock as her words penetrated his mind. Who is this and how the hell did you get into my head? Taking a steadying breath to calm her temper she continued to make her way through the crowd until she was behind Coland. You know exactly who I am. You’re in my club and you’d do well to remember it. Do not interfere or make matters worse. Coland is about to learn his place, I’d hate to have to put you in yours. The moment she’d delivered her message she broke the connection and focused her attention on Coland who still hadn’t noticed her presence. Well that was about to change. “Coland, I hope you did not enter my club to make trouble.” She said allowing the energy needed to put him on the ground if she had need to flow into her. At the sound of her voice Coland stiffened and then relaxed as he turned to face her.
Coland was the type of man that attracted women like a moth to a light bulb. His killer looks was enough to make a woman swoon with his grey almost silver eyes, dark brown hair that he always kept slicked back. Danger clung to him like a second skin another attractive trait that some women found irresistible. She’d been interested until she heard of the things he ran underground. Underground fighting was fun but not underground sex clubs, not the kind he ran anyway. She could tell by the look on his face as he turned to look at her that he thought he would be able to take her down easily. She almost smiled. It was gonna be a pleasure proving him wrong. “Cassadaina.” He greeted in his usual gruff voice. “Don’t think this is the time for pleasantries. You’re here for trouble and I will not allow it. If I have to stop it myself I will.” His pleasant smile hardened slightly as did his eyes. “You shouldn’t treat people with such disrespect Cassadaina. It’s not good manners not to mention it could get you hurt.” Cassadaina gave a short laugh. “Why, because you run so many underground operations? I have no respect for men like you. You use women like garbage as well as allow others to as well. It was just your bad luck that one of them happened to be my best friend’s younger sister. Men like you make me sick. You will not touch anyone in here. I run a peaceful establishment with people that know what they are getting into and are willing to take part in the services my club offers. If you persist in trying to harm someone in my place I will gladly give you the ass whopping’ you deserve.” She watched his eyes turned to molten silver at every insult she hurled at him and prepared herself. As she predicted her insults were too much for him to take and he lunged at her which she side-stepped before launching her own attack. Calling the energy forth she delivered a kick to his side that sent him into the wall gasping. “I can go all night.” She taunted as he shook his head as if to clear it and stumbled to his feet. He lunged at her again but a man she’d never seen in her life was in front of her catching Coland’s arm and twisted it savagely. Coland’s howl was lost in the booming club music. Standing so close to the stranger blocking Coland from her she nearly gasped as the man’s energy reached her. Whoever this man was his gifts put hers to shame and his anger had increased it tenfold. Before Coland could recover from his no doubt broken wrist the stranger reared back his fist and delivered a punch that sent him back into the wall knocking his out cold at the same time. Seeing that he was going to continue in his attack Cassadaina reached out and put a restraining hand on his left bicep to stop him. At her touch he visibly relaxed and he turned to look at her. “Are you hurt Cassadaina?” At his question suspicion began to form in her mind. Only her regular customer’s knew her name and the sound of his voice was strangely familiar even though she could’ve sworn she’d never met him in her life.
“How do you know my name? I’ve never met you in my life.” She asked calling the energy to her again. As if he could sense her going on the offense he shook his head. “You haven’t met me in person but you know me. I’m not a crazy stalker like you’re thinking.” He assured her. “We’ve spoken online and on the phone. We’ve been speaking for months now. I came to meet you to see how things were going. If I remember correctly you told me to stop by the club sometime if I wanted to.” As he spoke she let the energy fade as she remembered the site he was talking about. “I thank you Mr. Livoran for coming to my aid but I had everything under control.” She told him letting her disapproval at his interference leak into her voice. “I’m sorry, if I offended you with my actions. I had my own vendetta against him and seeing him trying to hurt you. Well, I couldn’t just stand there. Please accept my apology.” With a huff she let go of her anger at the true remorse in his voice. “Well I guess he learned his lesson all the same. It’s nice to finally meet you in person Mr. Livoran. I need to get him out of here though before he decides that he wants revenge. He was after a good friend and customer of mine and I warned him to let me handle it. I’m glad he did.” As if on cue Coland groaned and sat up. “Coland, if you don’t want the police to be called and all your businesses to be investigated, I suggest you leave and never come back.” At the sound of Cassadaina’s voice his head snapped and he gave a look of pure fury. “I won’t come here again. There are other places beside here.” Cassadaina watched as Coland got up on shaky legs and walked out of the club. Even though he left without a fuss she knew that he wasn’t finished. She knew a threat when she heard one and she knew that Coland Pestro would be after both her and Dane now. Cassadaina kept her eyes on the back of Coland’s head until he disappeared through the exit dread filling her knowing that he would not stop until he was either dead or had fulfilled his purpose. Pushing the thought away she turned back to look at Jaspin. She hadn’t noticed before because she had been in fight mode but the dude was enough to make a woman melt where she stood. His elegantly styled raven black hair and striking electric blue eyes made him drop-dead gorgeous combine that the ropes of muscles plainly visible through his black t-shirt and the air of dominance he portrayed in his stance and no doubt walked were enough to make any woman go hot including her. As she studied she noticed his mouth quirking up in a half smile. Realizing that she hadn’t replaced the barriers she normally placed to keep others from reading her mind she gave him a sharp look. “I hope you’re not reading my thoughts.” Her guess made him smile broadly. “I don’t have to your broadcasting loudly.” He said in a silky tone that had her blushing despite her attempt not to react. “I’m sure I’m not the only woman whose had the thoughts you heard. Just because I might like what I see doesn’t mean I plan to act on it. I’m not that easy just warning you.” His electric blue eyes darkened slightly at her statement as if in challenge and she turned and walked towards the bar where Dane was still sitting. The moment he saw her his expression turned hard when it was worried. “This was my fight. I do not like others interfering in my problems. People get hurt doing that Daina.” At the bite in his voice Cassadaina felt her heart soften.
“There was no need to worry about me. I’m not without defenses and he was no match for me. I did not want to see you hurt and I acted. Plus he wanted to start a war in my establishment where I have succeeded in keeping trouble out of since I opened it. I also had a score to settle with him myself. He hurt Tina’s younger sister in his establishment. He deliberately mislead her and had her used to please himself and his clients. He deserved an ass whoopin and I felt inclined to deliver it to him. But I fear he is not done with you. He will try to ambush you when you least expect it. Keep you’re eyes open Dane.” Dane’s eyes darkened at her warning his eyes flashing fire. “He’s set his sights on you too hasn’t he?” He asked his voice low and menacing. “I can protect myself and will do so. You are more vulnerable than I am. As you’ve probably already guessed I have abilities where you do not.” Her words earned her a chilling glare. “You deliberately put yourself in the line of fire to protect me. I will not allow harm to come to you. If he harms you it will mean war and I will bring the fires of hell to his door.” Cassadaina was about to reply when Jaspin moved beside her gaining both her and Dane’s attention. “Who are you?” Dane snapped his body rigid as he saw the way Jaspin’s stance as if he were protecting her. “Don’t.” Jaspin’s voice held authority and was sharp as whip as he issued the warning. “If you think she is powerful then you don’t want to test me.” Jaspin continued his warning in a low voice that promised unspeakable violence if he tried anything. A shiver went down her spine at the sound of it. Dane, as if realizing that he was in danger let it go. “Dane, this is Jaspin Livoran. I’ve spoken to him online and issued an invitation for him to check out my club. He stepped in during Coland’s attack.”
Dane relaxed even more as he stood up offered his hand to Jaspin. Jaspin reached out and shook Dane’s hand relaxing his stance. “I thank you for what you did. I treasure Daina like a sister and I would moved heaven and earth if something were to happen to her. Please accept my apology for the disrespect I showed you earlier. I wanted to make sure you were not a threat to her.” Jaspin released Dane’s hand and nodded. “Apology accepted. I would’ve done the same if our places were reversed. She had the situation well in hand but I could not just stand by while a man hit someone I considered a good friend."
