Chapter 42

As I watched, the three of them clinked their glasses together, the sound echoing through the bar. They threw back the shots, their faces contorting in a dance of pain and pleasure.

The bouncers' faces turned red, sweat beading on their foreheads, but Lucien remained unfazed, his eyes locked on me. As he set the glass down and licked his lips, a smug look came into his eyes. "Your turn, Marlowe."

With a dramatic flourish, I grabbed a glass and filled it with the potent liquid. The room fell silent, the music fading into the background. I took a deep breath, feeling the heat from the peppers sting my nose, and downed the shot. The burn was intense, a fiery serpent coiling in my stomach.

Lucien's eyes never left mine, the challenge in them unmistakable. As he leaned in closer, his breath was hot against my ear. "I knew you had fire in you," he whispered. "Now, let's see if you can keep up."

The dance of power between us had started, and I had a feeling it would only get more intense as