FOUR

I know I'm playing a dangerous game, but it's too much fun to stop now. I match his gaze but feigning innocence I ask, "Where are we going with the pizza?"  

He leans over the table until he is next to my ear and whispers,  "or we can just skip the pizza. I‘ve always  liked dessert before dinner anyway.” I can feel his breath on my neck in the most sensitive spot as heat rushes between my thighs at the thought of his face between my legs.  

Before things could go too far, Raina places the pizza between us and asks if we need anything. I look up at her but Kieran doesn't take his gaze off me. She notices and raises a brow at him then looks back at me in question. "I think we're all set," I reply holding his gaze.  

“Alrighty then, I guess I’ll leave you two to your… uh pizza.” Raina says walking away. When she’s out of earshot, Kieran finally speaks. "Still hungry?" He says with a low growl that send shivers through me. I’m hungry... but for something else now.  

Before I get a chance to reply, the door crashes open and two ghouls walk in looking for trouble. 

 “Lovely.” I mutter under my breath as all the sexual tension in my body drains and turns into combat mode. I begin conjuring my magic in preparation for the fight.  

I look over at our new arrivals and assess them. One of the ghouls has a medium frame with a buzz cut .  The other one is probably close to six feet, short brown hair, and has a thick red scar running from his cheek to his chin. They scan the crowd and their eyes land on Kieran. “Just the man we’ve been looking for!” Scarface says as they begin strolling towards us. The patrons standing in their path quickly move before they get trampled. 

“How can I help you gentlemen?” Kieran asks as if he didn't have a care in the world. 

“Stix has a message for ya.” The smaller one says. “You wanna do this here or outside?” 

“Hey guys, he’s MY contract,” I say before Kieran can answer.  “Afraid you’re a little late.”  

Just now noticing me, Scarface's eyes roam up and down sizing me up letting his gaze linger a little too long over my chest. ”And who the hell are you?” He scoffs still looking at my breasts. 

“The Raven” I say, giving them the name I’m known by. His eyes shoot back up to my face and I see his recognition of my name.  He takes a step back, now a little wary. 

“N-no offense Ms. Raven, but this message came straight from Stix. Afraid that overrides ya.” Smaller guy says with reluctance.  

Kieran interrupts before I can respond, “Fellas, let’s step outside. No need to interrupt these patrons dinner.” His smile is venomous but the words come out like he’s talking to old friends.  

The ghouls look at each other and nod. We head outside with the ghouls turning to leading the way. Idiots, didn’t they know you should never turn your back on an enemy?  

Kieran brushes my arm as he walks next to me and I feel a surge of energy jolt through my body. Instead of pondering what it was, I let it flow into the bundle of energy I have been gathering since the ghouls arrived.  

As soon as we step outside, idiot one and idiot two turn to attack. However, both Kieran and I were at the ready. I blast a paralyzing spell and Kieran knocks them both out with one quick blow. 

 “That was too easy…” I say looking aat Kieran with caution. He looks around in front of us but then we get ambushed from the back.  

I wasn't ready. Everything went black.