“Warn me?”
“About a number of things,” Santiago says. “You are still my brother, after all. Even if your welcome for me wasn’t the warmest.”
“Don’t call me that,” Lucian snaps. “We’re not family.”
Santiago chuckles. “Right. Well, I’ve come to tell you to be careful of the Rogues. They’re a bigger threat than they let on.”
“Taken under advisement. And you?”
“I have plans.”
“Do those plans involve you staying in Tenebris much longer?”
In my head, I can see Santiago’s toothy smile. “Yes, they do. Permanently.”
Chapter
Ten
Lucian
Elliot is naked, bound, and Santiago is staring at her like she’s dessert. And it disturbs me.
I never minded sharing my sexual conquests in the past if the woman was willing. I don’t mind watching or being watched, but seeing the way he’s looking at Monty makes every muscle in me wind tight, ready to spring. My fangs push to drop and make the vision of ripping out his throat a reality.
“Let’s continue this in the living room,” I tell him, needing to get him away from her.
Santiago frowns, but the unease in me remains. “But I was so enjoying the view.”
A growl rumbles low in my throat. A warning.
“And here I thought this was an open invitation.” He clucks his tongue as I grab the door handle and close off Monty from view. We walk over to the living room area and I sit in an armchair, while Santiago takes a spot on the couch.
I give him a smile that’s full of teeth and dark anger. “I’ve asked you this already once, but I’m going to ask you again. And I expect the truth. Why are you here?”
“There’s an opening, with de Santis’s enterprise gone,” Santiago says. “One that’s gaping wide. And I’m looking to expand Sanguine.”
“Two media powerhouses in one city isn’t a wise business move.”
He smiles. “Maybe it’s time for—what’s that human saying? Out with the old and in with the new.”
“I’m not giving up my hold on Tenebris,” I say. “Or any of the east coast for that matter.”
“And here I thought you weren’t afraid of a little competition.”
“I’m not.” But something tells me he’s not just talking about business. “You mentioned the Rogues?”
He picks imaginary threads off the sofa’s armrest. “Ah, yes. Raleigh has asked for my help. An alliance. Against you.”
Raleigh…and Santiago? Their motives might start at the same place, with humans knowing of our existence, but they quickly diverge into opposite directions. Raleigh wants peace. Santiago wants to rule.
I don’t see how what he’s saying is true.
“I’ve never had an issue with Rogues,” I tell him. “Their numbers are still small.”
He smiles. “That’s what you think.”
Annoyance pricks up my spine.
