Semi-Human (Harper Hall Investigations Book 2) by Isabel Jordan Page A

blinked, looking way too innocent for Mischa’s liking. “As you wish.”
    She narrowed her eyes at him. Fucker knew that was a line from The Princess Bride , her all-time favorite book and movie. He also knew it weakened her knees a little to hear him say it.
    He’d said the same thing when she’d asked—OK begged—him to touch her a little over a year ago. And he’d touched her, all right. Everywhere in every conceivable way.
    She shook off the goosebumps that raised all over her skin. It was going to be a long, long day.

 
     
     
Chapter Fifteen
     
     
    Harper didn’t look back at Riddick as he followed her and Mr. GH to Archer’s table, but she knew from experience that he was silently cataloging their surroundings.
    The VIP section was a little quieter than the lower level, and much darker. She assumed that was so scumbags like Archer could engage in their choice of illegal activities without too many witnesses.
    As Romeo had told them, Archer had five guards. Two of them guarded the exits, one at either end of the VIP area. They were of little consequence. If necessary, she could slash Archer’s throat, vault over the velvet rope, and she and Riddick would be halfway out the emergency exit—which was stupidly unguarded—before he could touch them.
    Two other guards stood at Archer’s sides, one on each, which was also no problem. Riddick could take those two out without any difficulty in a pinch.
    But the fifth guard? He was a little more worrisome.
    He had a sword sheathed on his back, and he didn’t even bother to cover it up with his shirt or a jacket. He didn’t move from his position behind Archer, but his eyes shifted all over the room, sizing up any and all threats to his master.
    The guard’s gaze barely touched her before moving on. He must’ve decided pretty quickly that she wasn’t a threat—the sexist pig. But when his eyes shifted to Riddick, they stayed on him a good, long time.
    Plan A, Romeo’s plan, wasn’t going to work, she decided on the fly. They’d have to go with Plan B, which was her own plan.
    She turned around and glanced up at Riddick to find him doing pretty much the same thing the guard was doing, only he must’ve decided no one was a real threat, because he smiled down at her with savage glee in his eyes.
    “Plan B?” she asked.
    “Oh, hell yeah.”
    He looked like he was actually looking forward to Plan B.
    Harper shook her head. Men. Like overgrown kids, all of them.
    Mr. GH pulled out a chair for her across from Archer, but she didn’t let him push it in when she sat down. After all, nothing slowed an escape more than a chair pushed all the way up to a table.
    She was glad when Mr. GH gave Archer a quick bow before meandering back into the crowd. If she never saw that little creeper again, she’d be a happy camper.
    Archer’s mouth tipped up when Riddick refused the chair he was offered, choosing instead to stand behind Harper, hands on her shoulders. “I would’ve sworn the two of you were lovers. This stance makes you seem more like bodyguard and master.”
    Riddick’s hands tightened reflexively on her shoulders, but thankfully, he remained quiet. She knew he’d heard Romeo say that fighters were expected to be seen and not heard. She just hadn’t been sure he’d be able to stay silent and let her take the lead. Especially when she knew his first impulse was probably to toss her over his shoulder, caveman-style, and haul her out of danger’s path.
    Harper gave Archer a sharp grin of her own and said, “Why would we be one or the other when we can be both?” She waved a hand dismissively. “Labels bore me.”
    He threw his head back and laughed. “Touché, my darling. Touché.” Extending a hand, he said, “My name is Archer. And you are…?”
    She glanced down at his hand. There was no way in hell she was touching him. God knows what kind of horrific visions she’d unwittingly pick up off him. “I’m…wondering why I’m here,