Revealing the Monster (Playing with Monsters #4) by Amelia Hutchins

“I was already planning to behave. Not because you’re asking me, but because Lucifer will be here waiting for us to fuck up. I don’t intend to allow that to happen.” We started up the steps as the music began playing on the upper levels. “I can play my part well without instructions. Lucian wants a pet, so I will sheath my claws for one night.”

Lucian appeared on the staircase, peering down at me while sliding his heated gaze over my dress. His midnight eyes paused on the sheen of gloss that covered my pink lips, and my smile lifted, daring him to argue about the light makeup I’d added to enhance my appearance. It wasn’t for him, anyway. It was for me. It was amazing what a little mascara and lip gloss could do to boost a girl’s confidence.





Chapter Twenty-Two




The brightest eyes hold the saddest thoughts. Lena isn’t grasping what I am doing. I am showing the world she’s mine. It’s something I’ve never done for anyone. I’ve never cared what the world thought of me, but I need them to understand she is my choice. Lena is my world, and it would cease turning without her inside of it. ~Lucian



Lights pulsed in rhythm to the music that thumped loudly in the club filled with bodies gyrating against one another as I stood silently, studying the faces in the crowd. When I found Lucian, my gaze didn’t leave his, not even as he descended the stairs as the clubbers parted for him like the Red Sea parting for Moses.

Lucian’s powerful physique demanded respect. Tonight, he wore his usual attire of a midnight-black Italian suit with a crisp, clean white undershirt beneath it. His hair was immaculate, with every strand perfectly in place.

Pausing in front of me, I rolled my eyes back to his face, and he smiled down at me with a predatory gaze. Lucian didn’t care that his presence screamed viper or that everything about him promised pleasure mixed with pain. He was the definition of a predator. I was Red Riding Hood to his wolf, and he’d already dealt with my grandmother.

“You look beautiful, Lena,” he stated, uncaring that I was still angry at him for his actions and behavior. “Are you ready for tonight?” His tone didn’t indicate he cared if I was or wasn’t prepared. He was, and to him, it was all that mattered.

I dipped my chin, and he smirked before looking over my shoulder to where Spyder stood, waiting for further instructions. Lucian stepped beside me, sliding his hand to the small of my back, displaying the possessive gesture of ownership. His touch sent a shiver of need and desire dancing through me. He ran his fingers over my exposed flesh, causing my nipples to harden from the simple, innocent contact.

“Careful, woman,” he growled, turning to meet my eyes as a sinful smile played on his mouth.

“Or what, Lucian?” I asked, emboldened by the lust dripping from his raspy tone.

He chuckled at the huskiness of my voice, carrying the proof of what his touch did to me buried deep within every word I’d spoken. “Careful, or you’ll end up fucked on the stage once we reach it.” He turned to smile at me, slowly bending closer to brush his lips against mine. “I have it on good authority that you enjoy the attentions of an audience while being fucked. Tell me I’m wrong,” he purred.

His long fingers trailed over my spine as we started forward. Once again, the crowd parted to allow us through, moving toward the wall to watch us. I hated the focus, but I was grateful that we didn’t have to push our way past them, too. The women were openly eye-fucking Lucian, sending anger rippling through me as my back itched to free my wings, to cleave them into two halves.

As if he sensed my anger, Lucian chuckled, moving his lips close to my ear. “Behave, woman. They can admire all they want, but I only want you. Look at them, Lena. Do you see the way they stare at you with envy burning in their gazes? The men are curious as to just how good your pussy is to have claimed me, while the women wish they had one as tight and hungry as yours. Let them desire me and take it as a compliment. I do the same when the men lust after your sexy body. They’re shallow. They do not know how brilliant you are or that your heart is what I crave most from you.”

“I hate that you always say the right thing, Lucian,” I muttered beneath my breath, realizing he’d hear it, anyway. His deep, rich chuckle forced my attention to where he looked at me with a knowing, heated gaze.

“You’re the most beautiful woman here. You’re also the most loyal and unwavering for things in which you believe. If I asked any of those women to change their views to be with me, they’d lie and agree with anything I asked of them. You’re not like that, though. You fight for those who are weaker and have been hurt. You hold on to your beliefs no matter that they don’t align with my own, and you challenge me daily. You’re also the most stubborn, hard-headed, obnoxious woman I have ever encountered, and I enjoy that about you, too.”

Tears pricked my eyes as we paused on the landing leading into the lower level. I could hear the bass from the spelled music below and felt my body growing compliant with every beat. My spine arched, and Lucian’s finger’s lowered to the curve of my back, brushing against the base, where he’d tattooed a single rune that allowed me to sense when someone was watching me from behind. It worked on everyone but him and Spyder.

“I will meet you on stage,” he announced, vanishing into thin air before I could argue with him for forcing me to walk to the stage alone.