I stuck out a hand, stopping the doors and stepped off.
“Now this is what I picture when I think of vampires.”
Gold and black dominated, with small pops of red to prevent everything from becoming too monochromatic. The room was massive but broken into smaller areas of interest. To my left was a seating area, complete with large couches and lounge chairs. On the opposite side was an immense dining area. A kitchen beyond it.
It was the view that stole the show though. The massive balcony offered unobstructed access to the Vegas skyline.
Until now, I hadn’t realized hotels like this had balconies.
The rumble of voices distracted me from my perusal. Recognizing one of them as Liam’s, I headed toward the patio.
It was never my intention to eavesdrop—per se. But if I managed to hear a few interesting tidbits before they discovered my presence, I wouldn’t be disappointed.
A baby vampire had to do what she could to protect herself. Sometimes the only way was to fight a little dirty.
“You’ve known about this for months and didn’t tell me? What were you thinking?”
“I thought you would have ‘seen’ this,” Liam said with a sarcasm and anger that I found surprising.
“There’s blank spots in my vision when it comes to her.”
“So you’ve said.”
Power leaked from the balcony as Ahrun lost patience. “I’ve only ever had this family’s best interests at heart. You know that.”
“Tell that to Connor.”
I backed away. This wasn’t something I should be listening to.
“Liam? Liam!” Ahrun called, frustration coloring his tone as footsteps approached from the other side of the balcony door.
A second later Liam strode into view, his attention directed over his shoulder. “I’m warning you, sire. Aileen is my Lilith. When it comes to sides, hers is the only one I’ll pick. Every time.”
I froze, the magnitude of that declaration rendering me immobile.
What had Liam just done?
Ahrun was an autocrat. A dictator who expected control in all things. His family especially. He hid it well, pretending to be genial and well meaning, but that’s what he was.
And Liam had just challenged that. For me.
I was still trying to figure out what had just happened when Liam pulled me to him with a fierce grip, a kiss landing on my lips a second later.
I was lost to the feel of his mouth moving over mine, my fears and worries scattering as he consumed me. Devoured me until nothing was left but need and want.
When Liam lifted his head, it was to stare down at me with a ferocity that took my breath away.
“We need to talk,” I managed to stutter.
What I really wanted was to take him to the bedroom and explore this heat between us.
“I know.”
Just like that, some of the heat in my veins subsided.
“You went looking for Brin,” I said, searching his features.
His surprise changed quickly to realization. “That’s who took you from the barrow.” Liam closed his eyes in relief. “Then I take it he told you.”
