“How disappointing.”
A silence fell. The moments ticked past as Thomas stared down the strangers.
“Very well, then. You have your permission to remain in my territory,” Thomas said as he rose from the chaise lounge. “However, I will not issue hunting rights for the humans in my territory. If you want to feed, you’re limited to those who accompanied you.”
“We understand and are prepared.” There was a pause. “Lord.”
The sarcasm in the last word was a clear provocation that Thomas was careful not to respond to as he started to take his leave.
“If I may,” Dominick called to Thomas’s back, stopping him. “We’ve heard so many interesting things about your territory. It would be a pleasure to experience those things for ourselves.”
Thomas’s gaze swept past us, lingering for only a beat before returning to Dominick. Silently, he nodded.
He swept away, Liam and Sienna flanking him.
Dominick clapped his hands, his gaze going to those around him in obvious pleasure. “Well, then. Who wants to offer me a drink?”
His words were a spark, bringing the room back to life. Conversations started around me, a low drone of sound as Dominick looked around in expectation.
“I wouldn’t mind getting you that drink.”
A red head wearing a short, gold metallic dress that flashed a good expanse of her shapely legs stalked out of the crowd. Kat Davinish’s lips curled in invitation as she eyed Dominick like he was a steak she wanted to devour.
For all I knew, she would. Blood exchanged between bed buddies was a pretty common occurrence among vampires.
And Thomas had limited his restrictions to humans.
I questioned Kat’s intelligence. Dominick wasn’t like the vampires she was used to manipulating. The dead fish look behind his eyes made me think he’d be the one doing the devouring.
And then she’d be dead.
I felt the urge to throw up in my mouth a little as he looked her over like she was a commodity. Something he could use and discard.
How she missed the clear calculation in his eyes was a mystery.
Or maybe she saw it but figured she could get what she needed from him before the situation bit her in the ass.
Dominick’s smile when it came was cold and cruel. “Alright, I’ll take you up on that.”
Kat slipped her arm in his with a coyness that made me gag.
A woman with breathtaking features and the kind of regal bearing that made you think of nobility blocked their path.
Unlike most of the women present, Sofia Davinish wore a sophisticated pant suit that reminded me of old Hollywood. Her hair was arranged in an elegant knot at the back of her head.
“I apologize for my subordinate’s presumption, enforcer, but she cannot accompany you tonight,” Sofia said, authority ringing in her tone.
“Matriarch,” Kat protested.
Sofia cut her gaze to the other woman. “You’re on thin ice already. Don’t make it worse.”
“I’m new to the city. Surely, you can spare her for a few hours,” Dominick cajoled.
“I’m afraid that’s not possible.” Sofia summoned Kat with a flick of her hand. “Come, Katherine.”
For a long moment Kat didn’t move, embarrassment and anger on her face.
Dominick was the one to extract his arm from hers, giving her hand a comforting pat. “Another time then.”
