Daring Fire: Paranormal Romance (Bad Boys Of The Underworld Book 2) by Mallory Crowe Read Free Book Online

confidence Hope had. However, going out in public dressed like this had to be better than just sitting around and wondering when Hope would find someone who could help her. At least no one from Michigan would see her dressed like this.
    “Before we go,” said Hope. “I want to give you a word of warning. Be careful what you say. Try not to mention you were killed to anyone unless I give you the okay.”
    “What would it matter?” asked Gena. “It’s not like most people will believe me anyway.”
    “Most people wouldn’t believe you,” she agreed. “But there are some people who would do anything for the ability to cheat death. We don’t know if you are immortal or what could hurt you. You need to be careful.”
    Gena took that in. What would someone do in order to find out just how invincible she was? She shuddered at the thought. “I will let you do the talking.”
    Gena gathered up the last of her nerves and announced, “I’m ready to get this over with.”
    After half an hour of walking and twenty minutes of waiting in line, Gena didn’t feel quite as ridiculous. She was surrounded by fifty other women and men who wore outfits similar to hers. Some wore even less than Hope.
    She’d never considered herself a prude before, but she couldn’t bring herself to even look at some of these scantily clad people. She’d spent most of the night so far avoiding eye contact with everyone around her. Hope thought she was hilarious, but she couldn’t help it if strange piercings and crazy makeup intimidated her. Hell, if old-Gena had run into herself as she was dressed now, old-Gena would have run away screaming. What she wouldn’t give for this night to be over.
    Hope nudged her. “We’re almost to the bouncer. Try not to look like you would rather shoot yourself in the foot than be here.”
    “I don’t look that bad,” she defended.
    Hope sighed. “Just—” She looked her up and down. “You look amazing. Just try to act like you feel as sexy as you look.”
    Gena tried to give her best “I feel sexy” look. Hope made an exasperated grunt. “Don’t do that.” Gena immediately wiped the expression off her face. “Just try to look happy, but don’t smile. Smiling does not go with that outfit.”
    The comment made Gena laugh. “Keep your eyes like that!” said Hope. “Just let your mouth go natural and let your eyes stay happy. It will make you look sexy and mysterious.”
    “I’m already mysterious enough,” pointed out Gena. “If I weren’t, we wouldn’t be here trying to solve my mysteries.”
    As the line moved again and the women walked to the bouncer, Hope muttered, “Just shut up and do what I say.”
    Gena did as she was told. She tried to get her smile to flow through to her eyes without moving her mouth. She needed to look more badass. She stared at the bouncer, who easily had a hundred pounds on Gena, and imagined he was just a ten-year-old boy who held the rope in his hand.
    Whatever she did with her face must not have been too disturbing to the bouncer. He nodded at Gena and Hope and let them through the ropes.
    Gena was immediately overwhelmed by the sounds and sights inside the club. The place was called Fang, and Gena tried really hard to not contemplate what that name meant.
    The music was so loud, she could hardly make out what Hope said, even though she stood right next to her. Lots of bodies wearing too much black kept brushing against her, and she was regretting the loss of her personal space.
    Hope pulled her over to the crowded bar. Apparently the bartender didn’t have trouble hearing, because he went right to work pouring some drinks after a shout from Hope. Gena didn’t know what she’d ordered but figured it out when a shot glass of clear liquid and a lime was handed to her.
    She gave Hope a quizzical look and Hope said, “Liquid courage.”
    Gena wanted to argue, but then another almost naked woman brushed up against her and her whole body went tense. She could