Page 67 of In Darkness We Claim

Bram lets out a soft laugh as he shoots Wren a quick look before turning back to concentrate on the road. “This isn’t going to make any of the Crows sound good, but it’s the truth. At the Gifting Ceremony, there were so many Prizes, it would be almost impossible to remember which girl belonged to which Crow, let alone remember their faces. And although Lawson is popular, he hasn’t exactly been parading Harper around like a trophy.

“I’d be more concerned if Nigel had been here last year, as he would definitely have known Harper was with Ryan—you didn’t exactly hide your Betrothal to that turd—and your downfall was very public. But since he’s a new-recruit, and Harper hasn’t been around Crowhurst House all that much, except in Lawson’s bedroom, I think we should be okay,” he explains.

Wren nods along with his explanation, as if it makes perfect sense to her, before she asks, “So if Harper is the bait to draw him in, what’s my job? Why am I here?”

Lawson answers her. “Your job is to make sure nothing happens to Harper. We can’t be anywhere near her. If he sees either me or Bram, there’s no way he’ll tell her anything. I need someone to stick close to her, to make sure nothing happens to her.”

“I can do that,” she states firmly, pulling her chest back as a fierce expression crosses her face, and I don’t doubt a word my friend says.

When she’s in this kind of mood, nobody should dare mess with her, and once again, a pang of jealousy hits me that I don’t have the conviction Wren has. I want people to fear me the way they do her when she looks like this.

“We’re here,” Bram announces, as he pulls into a parking space at the back of the club. We’re not using the public car park, since the guys know the owner. Also, we can’t exactly walk in together.

Lawson opens the door and holds out his hand for me, and I gladly take it as he helps me out. I let go to straighten out my dress, pulling on it a little as nerves start to kick in. Lawson reaches out and grabs both hands, stilling my movements, and I look up to find him staring at me with heat in his sparkling silver eyes.

“Don’t ever doubt how fucking gorgeous you look tonight. It’s like my own special brand of torture to see you in this dress and not be able to touch you,” he tells me, his voice deep and husky, and it sends shockwaves straight to my core.

“You can touch me when this is over,” I say, trying to pull on some of the confidence I’m going to need tonight.

Lawson lets out a harsh laugh, his expression almost predatory as he drags his gaze over the length of my body, lazily taking all of me in. “I fucking plan on it, so let’s get this over with. Are you ready for the rules?”

“Rules?” I repeat, confused.

He shakes his head at me. “There’s no way I’m sending you into a club full of drunk, horny guys, dressed the way you are, without setting some fucking ground rules.”

I roll my eyes, waving him on. “Okay, what are they?” There’s no point in arguing. Lawson is far too possessive and controlling; it’s an argument I’d never win, and he’d only punish me for challenging him.

“First, only one alcoholic drink. Second, always stay where either I, or Bram, can see you. We’ll keep out of sight so Nigel doesn’t see us, but I need to be sure you know where at least one of us is at all times.

“Finally, do not let another man touch you. Not even a brush of his hand against your arm. Any touch is off-limits. Do I make myself clear?”

He fixes his gaze on mine, waiting for me to answer. There’s so much I want to push back on, but I know there’s not much point. Though there’s one thing I can’t help but query. “Why only one drink? If you want me to be confident enough to flirt with this guy, I’m going to need more than one.”

His gaze turns stern as his expression hardens, coldness practically radiating off him. “You don’t need to be drunk to do this. I need you to have a clear head, and if you have any more than one drink, that won’t be the case. Even just a little tipsy, you could say something that not only jeopardises the mission, but more importantly, your safety. The alcohol is non-negotiable, and I’m sure Bram will have given Wren the same rule.”

I let out a sharp laugh at the thought of anyone telling my friend what to do. “Good luck with that. She doesn’t follow orders well.”

“That’s Bram’s problem. All I care about is that you’re safe, and if her actions put you at risk, I will pull her out faster than you can blink. I may need to complete this assignment to keep my ranking within the Crows, but I won't compromise your safety to do it.”

Lawson seems almost confused by the words leaving his lips, and it’s strange that I can hear how much he means them, but that doesn’t mean he’s happy about it. Having been raised to always put the Order first, I imagine it’s a new sensation to value someone over the assignment, despite his apparent surprise.

“I won’t put myself in danger, and I’ll do everything I can to make sure you pass this assignment.” I’m very clear about not making him any promises regarding the alcohol, as it’s a rule I fully intend on breaking. If he wants me to succeed at this assignment, he’s going to have to let me do it my way.

Besides, once we’re inside the club, neither Bram nor Lawson will be able to approach us, or they risk blowing our cover, so he can’t stop me from having an extra drink or two. I just hope he doesn’t punish me for it too much once it’s all over.

Ienter the club with Wren by my side, trying my hardest not to seek out Lawson, who went inside several minutes before us. Bram will come in shortly after us, as he stayed behind to make sure we got inside without any issues.

It doesn’t take us long to identify our target—Nigel the Pledge is sitting by the bar, and luckily for us, he’s alone. We deliberately ignore him as we push our way through the crowd, aiming for the space beside him. As we take our seats on the two barstools, Wren holds her hand up to flag down the bartender.

From across the thumping, strobe-lit expanse of the club, Lawson’s gaze is a palpable heat, prickling my skin like a thousand tiny flames. The bass vibrates through the floor and into my chest, but it does nothing to detract from the phantom burn of his stare.

I try to tell myself he’s watching me so closely to protect me, for my safety, but I know that’s just my brain trying to bullshit me from getting too involved. Before we parted ways, he was looking at me like he wanted to devour me whole, and I’ve never felt so sexy.

Then there’s the damn egg stretching me, making me feel full, whilst gently hitting the right spot when I lean a certain way, or just when I’m walking. How I’m capable of putting one foot in front of another is a miracle, because my legs are like jelly with anticipation of what the egg can do—and knowing I’m at Lawson’s mercy if he decides to turn it on.

Once Wren has flagged down the bartender, he rushes over to take our order as soon as he’s free. “What can I get you both?”

Wren looks over at me with her eyebrow raised, no doubt having heard all about the rules from Bram. “Can I get a double vodka and lemonade, and one of your house special shots, please?”