Even now, with how devastated I am over Kayla’s death and how furious I am with Lucian for lying to me, my body is hyperaware of his closeness. The pounding of his heart. It’sconfusing. And uncomfortable to think about because it opens such deep pools of complexity in myself.
“I’ve included you in this meeting,” he says, “because you can read people better than I can. This is where your skills as a journalist are important. You’re smart, Elliot, and I need smart. Smart, intuitive, and able to read situations. That’s what I need here.”
So it’s a test. He’s trying to see if I can react reasonably in a high stress environment and not emotionally.
The car stops, and he holds out a hand. “Ready?”
I ignore that hand and reach for the door, not waiting for the driver to open it, and I get out, Lucian right behind me. His hand slides around my waist, holding me there.
“Yes,” I answer. “Ready.”
It’s clear to me this Raleigh guy has an agenda. He either isn’t a fan of Lucian or he’s not a fan of older vampires, and I’d put it as somewhere in the middle, a little of both for varying reasons.
But he’s handsome, though rougher than Lucian. Dressed in a leather jacket and jeans, he’s covered in tattoos and piercings, with green-tipped hair peaked in a mohawk on top of his head. His finger pads are calloused as he takes my hand and kisses it, which earns a slight hiss from Lucian.
They both rule their domains. But from the grungy underground room we’re in with leather-clad biker-chic vampires, it’s clear Raleigh’s domain is the opposite of Lucian’s polished, tightly ruled one. Between us is a single hanging lightbulb that flickers every few seconds.
With Lucian’s expensive suit and my flashy dress, we’re extremely overdressed.
“I didn’t get the memo about the dress code,” Raleigh says with a tense laugh. “And I didn’t bring a date.”
The vampires around the room snicker.
I’m restless. But for once I can think straight, even with Lucian next to me. I think it’s because Raleigh is a vampire, so there’s no craze to drink his blood.
As he pulls on his jacket that is decked out in silver chains, he says, “She is a beauty, old man. And she smells brand spanking new. Did you change her?”
Lucian doesn’t answer, but from the rigidness of his stance, I can tell he’s not amused.
“I didn’t think you had it in you.” Raleigh’s attention swings to me. “You shouldn’t waste your time with dinosaurs, little lady.”
“And what? Join your coven of rat-sucking leeches?” I snort. “I don’t think so.”
An audibleoooohpasses through the crowd, but Raleigh only smirks. “Oh, she’s got teeth, this one.”
“You have no idea,” Lucian says.
“Another Vittoria?” Raleigh asks. “You know I like my women with bite.”
“Elliot ismine,” he snarls the last word. “And therefore off limits.”
Raleigh holds his hands up in surrender. “Understood, grandpa. You like to rob the cradle.”
“I didn’t come here to be ridiculed. If that’s what this is going to be—” He’s about to turn away when Raleigh calls out.
“I’m sorry, Lucian. I didn’t mean anything by it. You know this.” He laughs again. “I like to think I’m funny.”
“Hilarious,” I mutter.
Raleigh clears his throat, switching gears. “Anywho, I invited you here for one reason. I know we haven’t really seen eye to eye and we think yourmethodsare a bit outdated?—”
“Out with it,” Lucian snaps.
“We want a truce,” he says simply. But that only makes Lucian blink. Whatever he had expected this meeting to be about, that clearly wasn’t it. “A formal one.”
Lucian raises a brow, a slight smile lighting his face. “I thought we had a mutual understanding.”
“We did—well,do—but as the Rogues’ leader, it’s up to me to protect my people. I’m not stupid. I know your numbers crush ours. We don’t want any trouble with you or VMR.”
