Ignite (The Disciples 4)

Whatever it takes, I need to make this man give me a chance, make him understand that I’m 100 percent committed. First impressions are not my strong suit.

“You will change his mind,” I chant, stopping outside the office door. My hand goes up to knock, only I hesitate.

“You need this job. Do not think about him—think about the money,” I whisper.

Breathing deeply, I knock before I chicken out. My stomach flips and dips as I wait. God, my heart is racing and I’m sweating. What is wrong with me? Resting my hand on my stomach, I try to steady my breath. I haven’t felt like this since I was fifteen. It’s the same excited feeling I used to get before I’d go out and dance. That excited rush—your moment to shine and be great. It’s been gone for so long I almost forgot that alive-yet-sick feeling. The adrenaline would pump my heart so fast that for a second, I could barely move, but I did move and once I started dancing, I wasn’t me anymore. I’m trying to decide if I might have to puke or if I should knock again when the door opens.

“Oh my God,” I whisper as my eyes lock with his.

He leans against the doorframe. My eyes travel over his body, taking him in. It’s almost as though I can’t help it.

Clearing my throat, I begin. “I’d like a word with you, please.”

He raises a dark brow and those full lips of his curl into a smirk. I stare and acknowledge the truth.

One. I’m in over my head. He has an unfair advantage by being so gorgeous.

Two. He’s dangerous.

Three… I can’t remember what three is since he’s moved aside to let me enter. I take a step and go forward. No matter what, I always move forward.AXELA loud knock makes me wonder if I should get up and leave. I’ve been in the office all of ten minutes and this is the second person to disturb me.

“Christ, Blade, I’ve got to go. God only knows what’s wrong now.”

He snorts. “Good luck. I’m calling Church for tomorrow morning.”

“Remind Ryder to get the feed from the Sun Valley warehouse.” I end the call, tossing the phone on the desk. Blade knows how I feel about pretty much everything. He’s been my brother and best friend since middle school.

He’s the president of the Disciples, a job he was born to do. I would easily die for him or any of my brothers.

Loyalty.

It’s all I require. You can fuck up so many ways, but if you turn on me or one of my brothers and become a fucking rat…

You’re dead to me.

It’s the way I am. Can’t help it. When I’m done, I’m done. I don’t have it in me to be phony. You betray my trust, my complete devotion to you? I don’t forgive.

Ever.

Swinging the door open, I stare at the one face I was hoping I wouldn’t have to see, though I can’t help but grin at her.

“Oh my God,” she whispers, and my traitorous cock hardens. Which pisses me off.

“I’d like a word with you, please.” She gives me a quick nod. I say nothing because I’m trying to pinpoint what it is that’s so interesting about her. She’s beautiful, but that doesn’t impress me. I’ve seen a lot of beautiful women and have never felt like letting them in to share my time.

Is it her violet eyes, which slant like a cat’s and have black lashes? Maybe her lips, which are red and plump? No. It’s that fucking beauty mark on her upper lip. That has to be it. She reminds me of a waifish Marilyn Monroe. I almost ask her if I can order us a pizza. Instead, I step aside so she can breeze past me, her eyes taking in the room.

For an office, it’s large. Derrick’s huge wooden desk is impressive. He had to have it, stating it reminded him of the desk John F. Kennedy used in the White House.

Monitors line one wall, letting us see all the activity of the club. And our giant black safe is in the corner next to the couch. She stops in the middle of the room.

“I…” She looks up at me, then looks away and starts again. “I did not let you see my full potential. See, I need the job so—”

“Why?” I cut her off.

“What?”

I walk around her, and that fucking scent of hers follows me as I sink into the leather computer chair. As I fold my hands on my abs, my eyes rake over her from top to bottom.

“Why do you need to strip? Somehow I get the feeling this is your first time.” I cock my head.

She licks her lips and takes a quick breath. “I’m a dancer. Out of work. You know that money thing,” she snips. Her eyes get big as it must dawn on her that she’s sassing the boss.