“Those weren’t the only hunters after your ass. You’re real popular these days,” Jamere said.
Jono idly wondered what the bounty on his head was, and if it was something he should immediately warn Patrick about. “First I’ve heard of it.”
“You’re difficult to reach with that mage around you all the time. Where is he?”
Jono thought about Patrick’s absence, about how half their pack was gone and he had hunters harassing their borders. “Tell Lucien I want a meeting.”
“Jono,” Leon said warningly.
Jamere’s fangs cut into his lips when he smirked, half his face in shadow. “I ain’t no messenger.”
Jono leaned in close, Leon’s hand keeping him steady. “I’m the alpha of the New York City god pack. I don’t care about bloody demon-possessed hunters. I care about my territory. Tell Lucien I want to talk borders.”
Leon’s fingers tightened hard enough to bruise, and Jono knew he’d carry those marks for hours after they left the playground.
Jamere didn’t move, didn’t breathe, the undead smell he carried reminding Jono of a grave. The sirens were getting louder, and none of them could afford to get caught by the police. Not tonight.
“Been years since your kind has wanted to talk.” Jamere blinked, face moving with an animation to it that came as an afterthought. “I think I prefer the fighting.”
Jamere blurred away, his vampires following him. Jono blinked, stumbling a little when Leon hauled him around, taking on more of his weight.
“We need to get out of here,” Leon said tightly. “You’re still bleeding.”
“Silver and aconite,” Jono muttered.
“Yeah, I fuckingknow. Victoria is working tonight. We can swing by Mount Sinai on the way home.”
“No hospitals. They have to report attacks like this.”
“You’re a stubborn asshole. Stop trying to be like Patrick.”
Austin darted forward and settled in on Jono’s left, helping him to stay upright. “Is it safe for you to leave with the police coming? You can stay at my place until they’re gone.”
Jono shook his head, letting them guide him toward the locked gate, which Leon easily kicked open. “Get your pack inside, Austin.”
He was worried about their ability to keep their privacy intact if they were seen with him. Jono’s eyes could never let him hide, and he’d spent years taking public hits for himself alone. Taking them for the packs under his protection was new, but that’s what he was supposed to do. He’d bear that cost, and gladly.
Somehow, Leon and Austin managed to haul him back to the Mustang before the police made it to the playground. Leon dug the keys out of Jono’s pocket to unlock the car, shoved him into the front passenger seat, and shut the door. Jono closed his eyes against the vertigo for a couple of seconds, listening to Leon fake a cheerful goodbye to Austin, casually acting like nothing was wrong as the police sped past. Then he got behind the wheel and started the engine.
“I left blood at the scene,” Jono muttered.
“Blame it on the vampires if Casale comes around,” Leon said as he pulled onto the street at a normal speed.
Somehow, Jono didn’t think Jamere or Lucien would appreciate that.
Leon pulled out his mobile and unlocked it without taking his eyes off the road. “I’m calling Sage.”
“If Patrick calls her for advice, tell her not to say anything about what happened tonight. Goes for everyone.”
Jono needed Patrick to focus on his case in Chicago and not to worry about what was happening in New York. Jono could handle things on his own.
“You’re going to be in for a world of hurt with that order.”
Jono didn’t care, one hand pressed to the knife wound that wouldn’t heal. “Just drive.”
5
Patrick handedhis keys to the valet before glancing at the text message from Jono he’d missed earlier while driving back to the hotel that evening.
