My expression must have said as much because he gave me a charming smile, though its affect was completely lost on me. I’d never fall for that smile again.
“You are welcome to call the foreman and find out for yourself,” he told me.
Like that would help. The human would probably just end up parroting whatever Thomas wanted.
Such was the case whenever humans brushed up against the spooks. Most times they came out the losers. And Liam wondered why I refused to give my alliance to the vampires.
I chose to ignore Thomas and the tangle of problems he represented. “I’m awake now, so we can go on about our business.”
Liam didn’t move, his gaze sardonic. “Our presence is required here for the remainder of the night.”
His words stalled me right as I was contemplating the chances of me remaining on my feet if I tried to stand.
“You’re joking,” I said.
That seemed to amuse him. “I’m not. You will be required to portray the part of Thomas’ yearling.”
“You must know that’s not happening,” I said flatly.
He gave me a victorious smile that said checkmate as clearly as if the words were spoken out loud. “But it is.”
Rebellion skated across my face.
He leaned closer, pressing one fist on the bed at my side as he said, “Just earlier tonight you accepted employment from me. Do you remember the terms?”
My scowl should have lit paper on fire. I didn’t speak, anger strangling my vocal chords. I got a sinking feeling I knew exactly where this was going.
He drew back, his smile widening at my expression. “You agreed to follow my orders.”
Yup. I’d been right.
I narrowed my eyes at him. No. Just no.
“Checkmate, darling,” he whispered.
The urge to go for his throat tingled through my body. I might have tried it too, if I didn’t ache so fiercely moving would send me crashing to the ground.
Liam straightened as I remained silent, fuming, so angry I couldn’t even formulate a response. “I need to get ready. Thomas will brief you on what is expected and find you clothes.”
He walked out of the room, leaving Thomas and me alone.
I bent my head and sighed. Point to Liam. He’d out-maneuvered me. I’d compliment him if I didn’t want to slap that smug look off his face.
I lifted my head and sent a dour glance in Thomas’s direction.
My sire was the handsome sort. It enabled him to lure his prey to him, lulling them into a coma of lust pheromones so he could royally fuck up their life while they were still none the wiser. His jaw was strong and hinted at a personality nearly as stubborn as mine.
“Many think Liam is the more reasonable between the two of us, but I’ve always found his games to be rougher and more vicious. They sneak up and hit you in the face while you’re not looking,” Thomas observed. If I didn’t know better, I thought I detected a hint of sympathy in his voice.
“You would think it’d be the other way around,” I said.
Thomas inclined his head. “You would. Yet, I tend to prefer blunt force to achieve my desires whereas Liam goes after what he wants in a decidedly sideways manner.”
It was odd to agree with my sire, but there we were.
“Now, let’s see about getting you dressed in something appropriate,” he said.
*
