The Blood In the Beginning Read Online Free

hidden speakers. Lights went up and a dance troupe rehearsed. Impressive. The men were topless, wearing only long black ‘skin-tights’. Nothing was left to the imagination. Not a single nook or cranny. The women were dressed the same, only in reverse, bare legs up to their G-string uncovered butts, and sequined, black halter tops. Not much support for the kinds of moves they were doing, for either gender.
    â€˜This way,’ my guide said.
    It was taking some time to cross the floor; the room’s capacity must be over three thousand. No way were the entrance and stairs up to code for this size venue. Could there be another way in and out? I was going to ask about that as well. But all those ordered, Virgo thoughts vanished when I spotted the man in the booth. He was bent over his work, completely absorbed, until he noticed me. One look and my feet stopped dead. It was too soon. I hadn’t reached the booth, but my body wouldn’t move any closer. He was handsome, yeah. Cate would say a hottie, but it was more than that. I saw attractive men much of the time in my line of work. It gave me pretty good immunity to them. It struck me at once that this must be the owner, Daniel Bane. The way Cate talked, he was like a god with his rich-mahogany hair, hazel-blue eyes and a body that … well, promised a lot under the three-piece Armani. The only thing I could think was: He conducts the interviews? That can’t be right. Where’s the manager?
    â€˜Ava Sykes?’ He put down his pen and stood, fitting Cate’s description. He was medium-tall, with broad shoulders and a dark complexion. Very good-looking, I reaffirmed. And rich . It wasn’t the suit, alligator loafers and white silk shirt alone that gave it away. He had a kind of elegance that oozed power. A total turn-on, I’ll admit. ‘I’m Daniel Bane. Glad to finally meet you.’
    Finally? It hadn’t even been twenty-four hours since the invite from Billy. I breathed in, checking for anything that didn’t smell right. I had an acute sense of smell. That might sound amazing, like having a superpower, but most of the time it was a pain in the ass. Sure, some things were lovely, such as fresh strawberries, melting chocolate, and fine cologne on a man — exhibit A right in front of me. But other odours … damn . New LA wasn’t exactly a bouquet of heavenly scents, even without the smog, dumpsters and clogged sewers. As a kid, I’d learnt to keep my nose to myself. Pointing out that somebody needed to brush their teeth, or that a teacher’s clothes reeked of cigarettes, was not the best way to make friends. Problem was, certain scents were once major triggers for me. Fear, rage … blood. Of course, being a bouncer meant exposure to these very things, but I had learnt to get over it, to contain my reactions. With Daniel, all I caught from this distance was salt air, and a hint of the aforementioned fine cologne.
    He waved me over as if I wasn’t standing there halfway to rigor mortis. ‘I’ve been thinking of you.’ The look on his face was curious, reserved, like he had a lot of energy, and it was under complete control.
    What could he possibly be thinking about me? I was stumped by that, but managed to move forward. ‘Um … why?’
    He opened his hand out, ignoring my question. ‘Please, sit.’ His voice was smooth and deep.
    â€˜Thanks.’ Why is he thinking of me? I asked myself again. The cushion whooshed beneath my weight. His hand gently touched mine and the query vanished, no longer a concern. There was a fraction of a second where I felt a warning, but it melted like butter in the sun. This guy’s amazing.
    â€˜So, Ava, tell me, where are you from?’
    â€˜Homegrown LA, pre-Big One.’
    He cleared his throat and I could tell I’d given the wrong answer. ‘No, I mean, where are you from, originally?’
    Huh?
    â€˜Let me put it