Read Diablo Blanco Club: Rite of First Claim for Free Online

that lie? Could he intentionally draw the scrutiny of the other members—highlight his woman’s reluctance to being claimed by him? Yes. Hell, Mike knew he would take on his own brother to have Lyssa, even if it meant never being allowed to set foot in the Club again. He looked to Lyssa for her response.
    She glanced at him with narrowed eyes. Mike’s expression challenged her to deny his statement. She was angry at him, but she wasn’t about to hide behind a lie—not his Lyssa.
    Her shoulders went back, and she nodded. Her cool blue eyes glared at him before she moved her attention to Vance. The answer she gave the other man came out glib and unconcerned. “Yes, but it was a game, years ago. No harm, no foul. Right?”
    Mike knew it for the taunt she’d intended it to be.
    Somehow, somewhere in the four years since their first time together, Lyssa had convinced herself his interest wasn’t real. Even after he’d visited her home weeks later and the physical connection between them had been stronger the second time. He cursed the emergency call that had dragged him away the night of their first and only date. It wasn’t hard to see Lyssa still held his standing her up against him. She refused to believe his intentions were serious. But by the time the sun rose tomorrow morning, she’d know differently.
    A glint of curiosity flashed in Vance’s turquoise eyes as he shrugged and told Lyssa, “Time doesn’t matter.”
    Dayton spoke from behind them. “You should have acted sooner, Halsey.”
    Mike held Lyssa’s gaze. “It wouldn’t matter if it was four years ago, right now, or forty years from now, Kringle. She’s mine.”
    Still gripping her arm, Mike felt the frisson of awareness ripple through Lyssa. Beneath the red velvet covering her breasts, he’d bet her nipples were firm and sensitive to the touch. She might deny it if asked, but there was no ignoring the way he could arouse her body with a look or a touch. Lyssa didn’t find his caveman tactics and possessive behavior appealing, but her body responded to it. That he could work with, determined as he was. From the way she resisted his urgings to move toward the stairs, Mike doubted she’d succumb without a protest.
    “Hold on.” She turned to glare up at him, ignoring the curious onlookers around them. “Who says I’m admitting anything?”
    “You accepted my invitation, Lyssa.” Mike met her enmity calmly.
    “I accepted an invitation. I never said I chose you for a partner.” She motioned to her costume. “I think it’s obvious I had someone else in mind.”
    Mike moved into her space, crowding her up against the bar. “Then change it, pet, because I’m the only master you get.” He tilted his head and met Dayton’s gaze for an instant before returning his attention to Lyssa. “Ever.”
    Mike felt a tremor flow through Lyssa’s body again as he tugged her away from the bar and led her toward the nearest staircase. Not two steps away from Dayton and the curious guests milling around the main lounge, Ben slid from his seat and blocked their progress.
    “No forced play, Halsey.” The man’s gray eyes remained focused on Mike.
    “We went through this four years ago, Murphy, but not this time.” Mike stepped closer, pulling Lyssa with him. Both men ignored Vance as he came forward to stand behind Ben’s right shoulder.
    “If she doesn’t want to go—” Ben began.
    “Rite of First Claim supersedes that rule,” Mike reminded him. He was sure the smile on his lips was smug. The muscles along Ben’s jaw flexed. Vance clenched his fists. Intent upon making it past Lyssa’s two guard dogs, Mike held steady, not backing down.
    “She has the right to refuse,” Vance offered.
    “Where’s the proof that I’m a threat to her physically?” Mike broke eye contact with Ben to look around the room at the Club’s visitors—doms, dommes, and subs—before dropping his gaze to Lyssa. “Have I ever physically harmed you, Lys? Ever