The Fall (2 page)

They arrived at the club, and took a look around. Because of their height, Nephilim were not difficult to identify. It was more difficult now than it had been in past centuries, but he was thankful that humans had grown taller over the years. People had run and screamed from them in the past, crying “giants.”

There didn’t seem to be any in the club tonight, except for their friend Chance who was sitting at a table in the corner. Jake’s usual groupies were starting to surface, all hoping to be the one lucky enough to get his attention tonight. A few girls tried to gain Archer’s interest, but when they realised they would have no luck they decided to look for new prey
. Smart girls
.

Archer went over to Chance’s table, and took a seat next to him. “Chance, how you been?”

“Archer.” Chance smiled, and nodded his head in greeting. “Good to see you, cousin.”

Given that all Nephilim were fathered by the Grigori, ‘cousin’ was a term of familiarity and endearment.

“Any news?” Archer asked, and Chance shrugged casually, which could mean nothing, anything, or everything.

“Nothing much really. He apparently goes by the name Malachi. Not from these parts, and he was here last night chatting up the new bartender. Her name is Addison.” Chance nodded his head in the direction of the bar. Archer glanced there and saw a dark-haired girl talking to a customer. “I doubt she will have much to say, but I figured you should talk to her and see if you have any luck.” He took a quick sip from his drink before continuing.

“Where’s Jake?” Chance asked, raising his eyebrows. “The two of you are never far from each other.”

Archer looked around for Jake and spotted him on the dance floor, blond girl in hand. Or rather, her ass in his hands. She was grinding against him rhythmically, and both of them seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves. Okay, well at least Archer was there on business. He showed Chance where Jake was and he chuckled.

“I should have known.” Chance smirked.

Archer looked at Chance. His friend had short blond hair, a bit longer in the front, dark-blue eyes, and fair skin. He was about six foot six, and dressed elegantly in his usual attire, a tailored black suit. Chance was the epitome of sophistication, a true gentleman. He was also one of Archer’s oldest and most trusted friends. Although not blood brothers, Archer considered Chance family and always appreciated having him at his back. Pretty though he was, the man could fight like nobody’s business.

Several girls were eyeing him from the next table. Chance was a ladies’ man in his own rights. He enjoyed women occasionally, though not nearly as often as Jake. A football team couldn’t keep up with Jake’s conquests.

“You gonna go enjoy yourself, cousin?” Archer asked him, giving him a knowing smile. Chance smiled back, all dimples. No one would think this man could be a lethal killer, Archer mused.

Chance stood up and rested his hand on Archer’s shoulder. “I guess I will. Call me if you find out any information.” With that, he walked over to the next table and started talking to one of the women. Sensing that this was his cue to leave, Archer got up and made his way to the bar. Time for business.

***

Addison O’Donnell was actually getting the hang of this bartending gig. After a week of working at Cyclone nightclub, she wasn’t hating the job, and coming from Addison that was a huge accomplishment. She was new to the city, and as a full-time law student, the bartending hours suited her schedule. Plus, she was in dire need of the cash. Putting up with sleazy men a few nights every week was worth having enough money to pay her rent. Oh, and eat. Addison went to the back for her fifteen-minute break. She was about to sit down when Chloe, the bar manager, walked in with a huge smile and dreamy eyes. Chloe was a petite blonde with short, spiky hair, and baby-blue eyes. She was the opposite of Addison in more than just appearance.

“Addison, you know that tall, dark, and handsome guy who comes in sometimes? The one I was telling you about?” Addison nodded, then frowned when she realised Chloe talked about so many of the male customers she had no idea which one she was referring to. Addison didn’t understand it. She was rarely attracted to any guy.

“Well, he’s at the bar,” Chloe continued, not waiting for a verbal answer from Addison. “And he’s asking for you. I don’t know how you know him, but you have to introduce me. He and his friends are all drop-dead gorgeous!”

Addison frowned again, not knowing what to make of that. Curious, she went back out to the front to see what all the fuss was about.

Leaning on the counter, drink in hand, was the most striking male she had ever laid eyes on. The first thing Addison noticed was his height, and oh, how she loved a tall man. The taller the better and this fine specimen looked to be about six foot seven, a beyond perfect height for her five foot nine inches. He was dressed completely in black. His broad shoulders filled out his shirt, revealing a large and muscular body.

She looked at his face, and what she saw was breathtaking. His cheekbones looked like they had been carved from a Roman statue, his chin proud. Big, dark-brown eyes were surrounded by thick, black lashes, short jet-black hair, and the most sensual mouth she had ever seen…

An elbow to her back snapped her out of her reverie.

“Go get him!” Chloe whispered conspiratorially. Just how long had she been standing there drooling? Blushing, she walked up to the counter and put on her best poker face. She watched as those big, brown eyes took her in, quickly roaming over her face and body impassively. Addison was usually frustrated by the way men leered at her, their eyes always lingering on her generous cleavage. But this male merely looked her over as though he was checking her for major injuries and she couldn’t deny that it bothered her. She cleared her throat, shaking the disappointment away.

“How can I help you?” she asked the tall stranger. There was definitely a dangerous air to this man, although she found it titillating instead of frightening. His confidence bordered on arrogance, and his pride was almost tangible. Most frustrating was his brooding calmness. Addison didn’t know whether to run or throw herself at him.

“Addison, my name is Archer. I was told a man came in here last night and was bothering you. I was wondering if there was anything you could tell me about him?”

Addison paused for a second, too busy staring at his luscious mouth to reply. She looked him in the eye and asked a question of her own. “Why, are you a cop or something?”

***

Archer couldn’t deny that he liked what he was seeing. It had been a long time since he’d even glanced twice at a human woman, but Addison’s curves, chocolate-brown curly hair and coffee-coloured skin were definitely doing the trick. He couldn’t pin her ethnicity, but she looked like she could be of mixed heritage. She had dark-brown eyes, and the most luscious lips he had ever seen on a woman; heart-shaped, and begging to be kissed. She wore little makeup, and yet Archer had never seen a more radiant woman. It didn’t matter. He was here for business and a beautiful woman was not something that could distract him from his duties as an Enforcer.

“This man could be dangerous. Any information you can give will be very helpful,” he said, avoiding her question. Archer watched while Addison narrowed her eyes, clearly noticing his omission. Luckily she didn’t press on. Nibbling her bottom lip as she tried to remember Malachi, Archer couldn’t help but follow the action faithfully, his own mouth getting dry.

“He was really tall, about your height, maybe a little shorter. He had short blond hair, and brown eyes. He was a complete asshole, but good looking.”

“Anything else? The smallest detail could be helpful.” Her eyebrows drew together in thought.

“Well, he was wearing this gold cuff on his wrist, gold with intricate carvings. I thought it was pretty,”

she said with a shrug.

“What did he say to you?”

Addison sighed. “He asked me out and when I said I wasn’t interested, he kept on pushing. Finally, he got kind of angry and said he would be seeing me again soon.”

Archer lips were suddenly in a tight line and Addison gave him a small smile.

“It’s no big deal. A lot of guys get a little aggressive after a rejection so I didn’t think much of it.”

“Thank you.” He took out his card and placed it in her palm. “Please call me if he comes back in, or you see him again. It’s important, Addison; you could be in danger if he has targeted you.”

Addison’s brows drew together in worry and she opened her mouth to say something.

Jake chose that minute to remember he hadn’t come to the club alone.

“Archer! There you are,” he said with a smile, like he’d really been looking for Archer all night instead of grinding on the dance floor with multiple women. Jake glanced at Addison and smiled charmingly.

Jake looked at Addison, and then put out his hand in greeting.

“Hi sweetheart, I’m Jake. Archer’s brother. The better-looking one,” he added with a wink. Archer was surprised at the spark of anger he felt. He was used to Jake’s flirtatious behaviour but for some reason this irked him. He chalked it up to wanting him to be serious on the job.

“Addison,” she said with a smile, giving her hand for him to shake. Jake leaned forward and kissed it instead, maintaining eye contact. Archer cleared his throat, and resisted the urge to elbow his brother in the face. Two girls, a blonde and a redhead, walked up behind Jake, and he turned and put his arms around each of them.

“Shall we go, Archer?” Jake asked with a smile, his eyes on the redhead. Archer nodded, part of him not wanting to leave Addison, but knowing he had a rogue Nephilim to eradicate.

“Nice meeting you, Addison,” Archer said. Without waiting for her reply he stepped away from the blonde’s roaming hands and followed Jake outside.

***

It was five in the morning when Jake returned to the apartment. They had left the club about four hours ago.
Separately
.  

“And how was the night’s escapades, brother?” Archer asked Jake dryly. Jake waggled his eyebrows and chuckled. “Stress relieving. You should try it sometime.”

Archer scoffed. As if Jake was ever stressed. In Archer’s personal experience, women only created more tension.

“Times have changed, brother,” Jake continued. “Sexual liberation has been just as good for men as it has been for women, I assure you.” Archer ignored him, so naturally Jake continued. “You need to stop being so serious all the time. Thousands of years as the head of the Vertalur has made you grumpy.”
“I take my duties seriously, Jake.”

“I know man, but you need to relieve some of that tension. A woman could do you some good.”
“I tried that,” Archer said. “Don’t you remember Kate?” Jake gave a dismissive wave.

“How could you have known she’d turn out to be a shallow, materialistic ice queen?”

“That’s the thing, Jake. Most women these days seem to be like that.”

“Yeah, but,” Jake began before Archer cut him off.

“Enough, Jake. My personal life is none of your business.” Jake rolled his eyes but dropped it.

“So what did you find out from the hot bartender?” Jake asked, changing the subject.

“Malachi hit on her and she said no. He wasn’t happy. I’m not sure if she just hurt his ego, or if there’s more to it. I’m guessing both.”

“So, what now?” Jake asked, finally being serious about the issues at hand.

“Well I gave her my number in case she ran into him again,” Archer said.

“I bet you did,” Jake said with a grin. “If she calls, give her mine. I wouldn’t mind seeing her again. At all.”

“Shut up, Jake,” Archer snapped. Jake quirked an eyebrow in curiosity, and Archer ignored it. “We need to find out what the hell Malachi’s plans are.”

Jake gave his most annoying grin, and started humming “Bartender” by T-Pain. He was in his room with the door shut before Archer could even think of a snappy retort.

Archer’s jaw tensed. He did not want this female. Sure, she was stunning, with devilish curves designed to please a man, and a face that could make cherubs cry. Images ran through his mind of her lying on his bed with her chocolate curls splayed across his pillow, licking those heart-shaped lips. Archer scowled and pushed those thoughts aside.

Okay, maybe he did want her. It had been so long since a woman had stood out to him, and left him wanting. Addison affected him, but he merely found her physically pleasing. He had self-control. This woman would not be able to jeopardise that.

***

Chapter 3

The next night Archer was back at Cyclone. He sat in a booth at the back, ensuring he had the whole club in his line of sight, including the bar. He found himself searching it, unable to stop the disappointment at not seeing Addison there. He ran his hands over his face and took a sip from his whisky. He couldn’t deny that she’d crossed him mind more than once after last night.

Archer looked up in surprise when he saw Chance near the table. He hadn’t even noticed him approach. He needed to get his head in the game.

“Hey man,” Chance said, clapping his hand against Archer’s shoulder in greeting. “Everything okay? You look a bit distracted.”

“I’m fine. Just frustrated by the lack of information available on Malachi. Anything new from your end?”

“Not really. No new bodies at least.” Out of the corner of his eye, a familiar figure drew his attention. Addison entered the bar. Archer heard her apologise to the small blonde girl about being late before she started taking orders. He realised Chance was talking.

“Sorry, what did you say?” Chance turned his head to see what Archer had been staring at, then looked back at him with knowing eyes.

“She sure is a pretty thing, isn’t she?” Chance said with a smile.

“I guess,” Archer said dismissively before standing up. “Wait here and I’ll go see if she has any new information.”

***

Addison saw the guy from the night before walk up to the bar. If she was being honest, she’d also noticed him sitting down at the table. If she was being more honest, she’d scoured the entire place in search of him before finally locating him sitting at the back with another man. She did her best to feign nonchalance as he approached.