The two bounty hunters walked into a club called Stella, located a little too close to the Scorpions' turf. It was exactly what they wanted. Eliza was sick of being their play toy. She refused to let it happen again. Ares was fed up seeing his partner traumatized in their apartment. Terrance went far enough.

EDM music shook the walls and caused Eliza's heart to match the bass. If her mind wasn’t focused on the task at hand, the music would have made her dance the moment they walked in. Except having Ares in the same room would mean he’d see her exuberant dance moves and bug her about it.

In any other circumstance, Eliza and Ares would have split up to act as if they weren’t partners. With their target being a Scorpion, it would be useless. There was no doubt that the entire group knew about them and were taking shifts to torture them. That’s what Eliza suspected, anyway. But she didn’t understand the Scorpions quite like Ares.

He studied every person his eyes fell on, wary of their every move. A few times, Ares’ hand pressed against his partner's back when he saw someone eyeing her closely. His purpose there was to stop the Scorpions putting Eliza through Hell. The only way to really stop them was to get rid of the head but that wasn’t going to be easy. Teel, on the other hand, was the best option they had. Getting to him would temporarily pause the Scorpion attack. They just had to wait for him first.

Eliza went to the bar, ordering drinks and taking her post to watch the crowds. Her foot tapped to the beat of the music. Ares smiled, sipping his beer. Dancing wasn’t his thing, but it did something to Eliza. She looked eager to move how her body wanted. The day they could quit worrying about gangs and ghosts of the past would be the day he’d take her dancing. He’d even get Donovan and Lauren involved. Hell, maybe some of his old friends in hiding would finally live again.

A man who nearly fell over walking up to the bar stared dreamily at Eliza. “Shame a pretty gal like you ain’t dancing your heart out,” he slurred.

The woman rolled her eyes. “I’m not here to dance. Go home and sleep off that hangover.”

“Nah, there’s more dancing to be had. Dance with me.” He tugged on her hand, which she pulled out of his grasp.

“Fine, I'll dance, but not with you.”

The stranger was going to beg, but Eliza slid off the barstool, took Ares' hand, and pulled him into the crowd.

“What was that for?” Ares didn’t hear her conversation with the drunk man.

“Just getting a man off my back.”

He looked back at the bar, “Someone we should take care of?”

“Only if he follows us out here to see if I’m enjoying myself.”

Bodies kept bumping into them while they stood there. Eliza started swaying to the beat without noticing.

“I know we’re here on business, but would you like to dance, Lizzy? You seem eager to.” Ares smiled at her, stepping to avoid bumping into her.

“This sort of dancing isn’t for the faint of heart. Plus, you’ll never let me live it down.”

“I won’t say a word.”

She took a sweep of the room, “We still need to watch for him.”

“I’ll watch. Take a moment and forget why we’re here, all right?”

“You asked for it.”

Eliza was a natural dancer. No, she didn’t have choreographed moves, but she did have the body control to let the music take over. Her arms danced above her head, her hips swayed in time, and the brightest smile rested on her lips. Ares didn’t expect it. He was even more surprised when she danced directly in front of him. Her hands touched his arms, shoulders, chest. All of it was in an attempt to get him to move like her. There was no way he’d ever move like that.

“You can’t ask me to dance and then not dance,” she said over the music, her body still moving.

“I would hate to miss any second of your talent,” he smirked.

“You said you wouldn’t say anything.”

He touched the side of her face to pause her dance and leaned close to her ear, “I like seeing you happy.”

The low lights kept Eliza's embarrassment hidden from him. “Then dance with me.”

Ares didn’t dance quite as she did. His arms stayed relatively stationary at his sides and he seemed stiff. Eliza actually laughed at him and tried to help him. Her hands on his waist did nothing to help him loosen up. He wanted to touch her like the dancing appeared to require but seeing the sensual nature of it made him resist. Eliza was hard to understand, and he didn’t know if she’d be okay with it. But God, she looked amazing when she danced.

She rolled her eyes when Ares glanced around the room for Teel. “You can quit looking long enough to actually try to dance with me.”

Ares sighed with a gentle smile. “Do you do this a lot?”

“Maybe.” She continued trying to force his hips to move.

“Do you dance with people you don’t know?”

“Sometimes.”

“Do they use their hands like that?” He nodded toward an enthusiastic couple.

The man ran his hands along the woman's sides, into her hair, or gripping her hips to pull her closer. Eliza laughed. “Are you asking?”

“Maybe I don’t want ruin this moment for you.”

Eliza stopped dancing. “I’ll give you the same speech I give the others. Do not touch my chest or anywhere below my waist. Do not try to kiss me or force me closer if I'm not interested. And do not prevent me from leaving if I so choose.”

“Is that it, your majesty?” He chuckled but she couldn’t hear it.

She flipped him off and started to move to the music again. She turned away from Ares. Her eyes searched the room for Teel. He still wasn’t there. Mae didn’t seem to be around either, not that Eliza was sure she’d be there. There was an inkling of hope she’d see the woman again only for another chance to punch her out. Her fist clenched at the idea.

Ares followed his partner's lead, moving with her as she turned back toward him. He still didn’t know what to do with his hands despite her strict permission. She rolled her eyes again and placed his hands above her waist, telling him to let the beat take control. Eliza didn’t give him much of a choice. Her arms snaked around his shoulders, her hand messing up his hair, and then she danced around him. His hands tangled in her hair when she turned her back to him. It all felt extremely intimate. It was the last thing he expected of Eliza.

The music gradually faded a few minutes later and out walked Teel on the DJ's stage. People actually cheered for him when he waved to the crowd. Eliza and Ares glared.

Teel hyped up the crowd for a minute before admitting he had an announcement. “You have known me for a long time. For years, my father searched for the perfect companion for me and I’m pleased to say the search is finally over. Tonight, I want you to meet her.”

The crowd cheered. Eliza looked at Ares, both suspecting who she was. Eliza’s fingers tingled in anticipation. Her partner placed a warm hand on her shoulder, easing her anger.

“Come on out, honey,” he said, holding his hand out toward the side stage.

Out walked Mae Valen in all her perfect glory. Her hair curled around her face, enhancing the heart shape and her dark make-up. Her dress was white, above her knees, and sleeveless. She showed off more than what was socially acceptable, but the crowd cheered on.

“In a few months, I will marry Mae Valen.” They smiled warmly. “Until then, keep dancing!”

Everyone around the two bounty hunters started moving, making them stand out. Terrance and Mae didn’t even care to notice them.

“How are we going to get him?” Eliza asked. “She’ll be by his side all night and they’re not light on guards.”

Ares smirked, “Looks like we'll be here for a while.”