Merciless Hunter (Dark Syndicate 4)

With a glass in hand, he talks to the two Russian looking men opposite him. Two other men sit on either side of him. One clean shaven who could pass for a hitman and the other a blond guy who looks similar to Aiden.

I’m so stunned I found Aiden, and I’m actually looking at him, I have to grip on to the rail to steady myself. And if I’m honest my heart.

We’re about thirty feet away but even from here I can see the picture of the club wasn’t the only one Amy showed me that didn’t do justice to the real-life thing. Because the man I’m looking at is what I’d call a masterpiece and the real-life version of him doesn’t even come close to what Amy showed me.

For just a fleeting moment I find myself staring at him, not because I need information from him, but because I allow myself to be lured into the vision of him.

Aiden the man and not the possible fiend who might have captured my brother.

As I look, something I shouldn’t feel draws me to him. Something I shouldn’t have felt amidst the terror brewing in my soul.

That something makes the fleeting moment of selfish desire fight the force pushing me back to focus on my mission. It’s almost like I don’t want to go back to that place where such a dark burden has been placed on my shoulders. And I realize that’s exactly it. I don’t. I don’t want reality to be real and deep inside I wish I really was out for the night. Just a girl with nothing to worry about, watching a gorgeous guy.

But I’m not that and gorgeous as he is, he’s no ordinary guy.

The man is as deadly handsome as he is dangerous. Isn’t that always the way though?

They’re either ugly as sin like Jude, or beautiful devils like Aiden. Both are as dangerous as the other. Sometimes the beautiful devil is worse because those are the ones who can charm you.

His broad, powerful, muscular shoulders, and air of confidence are a reminder of what he is. A Russian mob boss. A leader in the Bratva.

A man with authority I shouldn’t be thinking of going anywhere near.

If I heed that warning, however, all might be lost.

The thought moves me, and I walk around to the other section to take the stairs up.

I have to get closer than this.

I need to if I have hopes of speaking to him and if I get the chance, I’ll flirt my ass off and think of what I’ll do next.

Baby steps. I’ve made progress I just haven’t gone as far as I wanted.

I meander through the crowd but when I get to the stairs leading up to the V.I.P section I’m met with two bodyguards who look even scarier than the guys at the entrance to the club.

These two look like a combination of the henchmen you’d see in a Bond film and the soldiers on a Black Op mission.

One puts out his hand to stop me before I can even think of stepping past them.

“Sorry Miss, you’re not allowed up there,” he says and the hardness in his expression shows he wouldn’t be swayed in anyway by my appearance so I shouldn’t even try.

“Oh, that’s a shame,” I say feigning innocence. “I was just hoping to meet the boss.”

He quirks a brow on his stony face. “The only way you’re getting up there is if he invites you or if your one of his special waitresses.”

Great. What am I supposed to do now? “Those are the only ways of meeting him?” I try not to sound desperate.

“Yes, and you don’t seem to be either.”

The glare he gives me now is a clear sign that I shouldn’t ask any more questions.

“Okay, thank you.”

He looks away from me, dismissing me like I’m a task he just ticked off his list.

Defeat settles in the pit of my stomach and squeezes my insides as I back away hopelessly and retreat to another corner.

I’m on the other side of the bar and I can see Aiden again. Clearer this time because I’m closer.