Her Dark Knight Read Free Page A

she hiked the strap of her purse over her shoulder and was preparing to plow through the crowd when she spotted him. At least she thought it was him. It had to be. No one else wore such an exquisitely cut suit or commanded the attention he did. The people around him kept a respectful distance, creating a bubble of calm amid the frenzy of the dancing.
    He was speaking to a curvaceous blonde wrapped in a tight silver dress that stopped about two inches below her butt. One hand was on her shoulder, the other in the air as if he’d been in the act of pointing something out to her when his gaze locked with Lainie’s.
    Something inside her stilled even as her heart accelerated and her stomach churned.
    His mouth snapped shut and his arm dropped to his side. The blonde leaned close and spoke in his ear. He didn’t respond, just continued to stare at Lainie.
    Lainie’s breath caught in her throat and something very close to anxiety squeezed her insides. Her hands began to sweat and she had this incredible urge to turn around and walk out. The crowd moved again and blocked her view. The feeling left and she shook her head. Weird.
    She pushed her way through the densely packed crowd, hoping Chevalier wouldn’t disappear again when suddenly a large form blocked her way.
    “Hey there.”
    His eyes were bloodshot and his breath reeked of beer. One hand held a half-full beer glass, the other settled heavily on her shoulder.
    “Hey.” She stepped to the side, searching the crowd for Chevalier.
    He stepped with her. “Wanna dance?”
    Suddenly furious at the stupid man, the stupid bouncer and her stupid shoes, she shoved her briefcase between them. “Do I look like I want to dance? I’m here on business. If you’ll excuse me.” She stepped to the side again but he matched her step for step.
    “You’re cute.”
    “And you’re drunk.”
    He laughed. “Hell, yeah. Dance with me.” Suddenly his arm was around her waist, dragging her up against him. He pinched her butt and she gasped at the sudden pain.
    “Please let go.” She kept her voice calm and tried not to show fear. She was in a nightclub filled with hundreds of people. She was safe. But suddenly she didn’t feel safe.
    The man leered at her. “I knew you’d have a fine ass underneath that ugly skirt.”
    Ugly skirt? She struggled to pull away but his fingers dug into her shoulders.
    “I said let go.” She pushed against him, using her briefcase as a shield and weapon, but it didn’t budge him.
    “Aww, come on. Just one dance. I wanna see if your tits are as nice as your ass.”
    Her eyes narrowed. She lifted her foot and smashed her heel into his arch, glad for once she had no feeling left in her feet. He grunted and his jovial expression fled on the heels of his anger.
    “Bitch.” He hauled her closer. The corner of her briefcase dug into her ribs, causing her to cry out.
    Suddenly he was yanked backward. His eyes widened and his beer went flying. Lainie ducked, avoiding the glass and spray of beer. Dancers scurried out of the way, forming a hushed circle. Chevalier held the drunk by the collar.
    “Do you know this gentleman?” The full force of Chevalier’s angry gaze landed on her.
    She shook her head.
    He shoved the man toward a muscular guy with Security emblazoned across his chest. “Find him a ride home. He’s not allowed to return. Ever.”
    The man was carted away, sputtering outraged apologies.
    Chevalier eyed the quiet crowd. He didn’t need words to convey what his look told them. Such behavior wasn’t tolerated here and anyone with thoughts of misbehaving should leave now. The crowd broke up, no one willing to stare Chevalier down.
    His frosty gaze landed on her. He snagged her wrist in a bruising hold. “Come with me.”
    He didn’t have to force his way through the crowd like she had earlier. People parted for him. Some tried to talk to him, but one look at his face and they snapped their mouths shut.
    Lainie jogged to keep up. Her