Chapter10
Penelope
My cheeks still feel like they’re a thousand degrees.I was completely frozen, unsure whether I should scream at my mother to stop, or stay quiet because, let’s face it, how was I going to explain to her that she couldn’t shake my bodyguard’s hand unless I told her why?And gods know there was no way I was going to tell her I just let a vampire finger fuck me to an almost-orgasm in the middle of Morrigan’s hen do.
I’m about to open my mouth and give Dahlia a load of shit when someone knocks into me.
“Watch it, blondie… ah, Penelope, about time we had a chat…” Lord Brinkley says, but Dahlia is lightning fast and closes her hand around his throat.
“Apologise.Now,” she demands.
“S… S,” he tries to choke out.
“You stink of booze,” Dahlia growls and shoves him away.“Pay attention.”
He swallows hard, wiping his hands down his suit jacket—who wears a full-blown suit in a nightclub?He must be sweating his tits off.His hands have left filthy smear marks on me.Vile.
“Wait,” I say, having an inkling of an idea.Roman never gave me any dirt to force one of their hands, but maybe if I can scare them into compliance, I can force the deal to completion and hopefully stop whichever one of these idiots is sending the letters and terrifying the palace.
I lean into Dahlia’s ear.“Play along with me, will you?”
She cocks her head at me but nods her assent.
“Lord Brinkley, have you been sending me letters?”
He frowns, shaking his head.
“Are you sure about that?”The shaking turns to a nod.The fear gouging deep lines across his brows makes me think he’s being genuine.So be it.
“Have you ever met a vampire?”I ask, pouring as much sweetness and light as I can into my tone.
“N-no,” he says, drunk enough to slur.
“Allow me to introduce you to Dahlia St Clair, my vampire bodyguard.”
His eyes are so wide, I swear they’re going to pop out of his head.
“Dahlia has been in New Imperium for a couple of days now, and given they’re here for very important political talks, she’s been unable to eat anything.Do you know why that is, Lord Brinkley…?”
He shakes his head, his face paling.
“Because she only drinks blood.Now, you and I have some unfinished business, don’t we?”
He blinks at me as his Adam’s apple bobs up and down.
“Mr.Brinkley, I think you should use your words,” I say, trying not to laugh as I strip him of his lordship.
“Unfinished… Right.Yes.Well, it’s a big risk, none of the other players are offering to hand over the promised goods,” he says, his eyes darting between Dahlia and me.
“Yes, but someone needs to go first, don’t they?That’s going to be you, isn’t it?Mr.Brinkley?”
He makes to shake his head, but Dahlia, Gods bless her vampire soul, takes a step closer and smiles at him, full-fanged, every ounce of malice and venom I know she possesses poured into her glinting gaze.
Lord Brinkley stops shaking his head and nods very aggressively at me.
“Oh, wonderful,” I say, exaggerating every word.“That’s simply wonderful.Isn’t it, Dahlia?”
She closes her lips over her fangs and winks at me.
