Excerpt of The Beckoning of BadAss Things by Calinda B

I take a sharp breath, clink my glass with everyone’s and toss back the fiery liquid. It burns a hot trail of intensity down my gullet. When my head is once more upright, all males are staring at me.

“What?” I ask.

“Want another?” River says, smirking.

“How about two?” Rafe says.

“You just want me drunk,” I say. “Thanks but no thanks. The moment calls for fortification.”

“So,” Daniel says, ignoring us, clearly in command. “Marissa has informed me that we have a situation to deal with once we reach the Shadow Lands. My father,” he says, his lip curling in disgust, “is no longer in a coma, apparently not incapacitated either. He’s gathered his evil allies to take Marissa down, and the rest of us, no doubt, as collateral damage.”

“As if we didn’t have enough to deal with,” River says, pressing his lips into a crisp line.

“Armando?” Rafe says, choking on his drink.

“One and the same,” Daniel says.

“I saw your mother shoot him in the heart,” Rafe says.

“He’s very much alive. I made a few calls before you got here. They’ve formed a coalition called Guerreros del diablo - the devil’s warriors. They’ve splintered off from the Numina. They’re not allowed in the ether meetings anymore but Tom thinks they have a mole planted on the inside.”

“Did Tom already know about this?” I ask, frowning.

“No. He didn’t know. It’s been forming in secret since we got our orders to accompany you to find the sisters. After I contacted him, he made a few calls and that’s all he could discern. He’s busy gathering data as we speak.” He glances at his Movado wristwatch. “We have to meet him in the garden at about twenty after. We’ll have a brief ether meeting to hear what he’s discovered.”

We all nod.

“I’ve got some contacts. I can call in a favor or two,” Rafe says. “See what they know.”

“Same,” River adds. “I can find out a thing or three as well.”

“Good.” Daniel nods, satisfied. He places a hand on my thigh and draws it up the inside, slowly, deliberately. “We’ve got to keep this woman safe.”

I shiver, catching his hand before it goes any higher. You’re playing with me, I convey.

As is my right, he thinks, eying me carefully.

“Agreed,” Rafe and River say at the same time.

“This woman,” I say, fully feeling the effects of my shot of tequila, placing Daniel’s hand on his own damn thigh. “Can take care of herself. I’m no lilting lily, guys. Give me a break.”

Daniel rolls his eyes. . I glare back at him. I pull the cork free from the bottle of red wine sitting on the table, pour myself a glass, and take a healthy swallow. “Want to see?”

“Yeah, show us,” River declares. “Striptease, baby.”

I slowly get up, saunter away swinging my hips side to side.

“I was kidding, but this is nice,” River says.

“I’ll say,” Rafe adds.

“Marissa,” Daniel cautions.

“Don’t worry, Daniel. I know what I’m doing.” I feel hot, sexy, aroused and mischievous. I cross my arms, bend forward and give them a great peek of my pink thong panties, obscuring the Brazilian wax job. I hear three alpha males hiss. I drag my hands up my thighs, looking like I’m going to peel out of my dress.

“Yeah, darlin’,” Rafe murmurs in a throaty growl.

When my hand reaches my hidden sword, I whisper the secret phrase, yank it free, whirl around and send a laser beam of light straight toward the wooden sculpture, expertly lighting the tip of her sword.

Three male jaws drop.

“Didn’t expect that,” Rafe says.

“Not what I was hoping for,” River says.

Daniel shakes his head at me. He picks up the carved woman and blows out the flame on the end of her weapon. “I liked this piece without the special effects.”

“I’ve learned a couple of things training with you and Rafe, Daniel. I could burn your britches, all of you. Don’t treat me like I’m frail.”

“We’re not treating you like you’re frail,” Daniel says. His eyes blaze. “We’re treating you like you’re precious.”