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.”