Roman definitely was not Sam or our neighbor. He was reading on his phone with a coffee cup in front of him as though he lived there.
“You can put the dagger away,” Roman said without looking at me.
I squeezed the pummel with every ounce of strength I had. “I don’t think so.”
“Humans,” Roman muttered. “So defiant and stupid.”
I couldn’t argue with him on that. Ifeltstupid. I felt as though I’d never hunted vampires before, given how this job was turning out. Dad would be so disappointed. He’d always put me up on a pedestal for my expertise when it came to killing the undead.
“Have a seat, Layla.” Roman was still absorbed in his phone. “I have a proposition for you.”
My jaw slammed to the wood floor. “You want to make a deal with me? Then let Jordyn go.”
Sasquatch jerked her head at me, her high black ponytail whipping from one side to the other.
“Layla.” Roman’s voice was deep and commanding. “You’re in no position to bargain.”
I couldn’t argue with him. Sasquatch was ready to tear off Jordyn’s head. “So talk.”
He chuckled as though I’d said the funniest thing. Then he set his phone down and gave me his undivided attention, raking his blue eyes up then down my body.
Suddenly, I felt like I needed to take a shower to wash off the slime.
He licked his lips. “I see why Mason is into you.”
All Sam Mason was into was sinking his fangs into me, much like Roman seemed to want to do as well.
I raised an eyebrow. “What’s your proposition?” He wasn’t there so we could talk about Sam Mason and how much he liked me.
He waved his hand to a stool at the head of the island. “Sit.”
“I would rather stand.” My nerves were singing, and I wouldn’t be able to keep still.
He lost his grin. “If you don’t sit, my friend Vera will slit your sister’s throat.” His tone brooked no argument.
The name “Vera” did not fit Sasquatch, but concerns about her name paled when she dragged a sharp claw underneath Jordyn’s chin. Blood oozed out, and before I could take a breath, Roman was pushing Vera off Jordyn. Vera sailed through the air and crashed into the back door. The glass pane shattered, and a whoosh of cold air blew in.
Roman bared his fangs at Vera. “Why the fuck would you do that? I told you not to do anything until I say so.”
Vera climbed to her feet, growling like the animal she was. “Touch me again, vampire, and I’ll rip out your intestines and eat them as a snack.”
I couldn’t breathe. Jordyn appeared to be holding her breath as well.
My vision blurred when Roman lowered his head, ready to sink his fangs into my sister. I screamed at the top of my lungs. “No! I’ll sit, for fuck’s sake.”
Roman froze for a beat before he swiped the blood off Jordyn’s neck, stuck his finger in his mouth, and moaned. “Delicious.” Then he shoved Jordyn at Vera. “Get her out of here, or else I will drain her, and we need her.”
I pinched my eyebrows together so hard they hurt. “Need her?”
Vera snarled at Roman as she dug her claws into Jordyn’s arm and dragged her out of the room.
I thought about blocking Vera as she passed, but I couldn’t take on a shifter and a vampire.
Retracting his fangs, Roman licked his lips. “You look confused.” He sauntered over to me with a sense of purpose and hunger in his eyes that had changed from vampire black to blue. “Let me un-confuse you.” He quickly took the dagger from me then grasped my hand and guided me to a barstool.
I had no choice but to sit. “What do you want?”
He refreshed his coffee, and as soon as he returned to his seat, his phone vibrated on the island, and I flinched. After he read the text, he flipped his phone so the screen was facing down.
