Like silencing her? But wait … Why hadn’t it worked? She should have been grateful he couldn’t, but did that mean there was something wrong with her mind?
Well, given all the shit she’d been through, she wouldn’t be surprised if she’d suffered some kind of psychotic breakdown at some point. Would that affect anything?
“I’ve never met a human I couldn’t control until now,” Constantine stated. Nessa gaped at Murphy’s back, not comforted by that statement at all. A stilted silence passed between the three of them before the vampire cleared his throat.“I apologize, Alpha Sinclair. It was only my intention to quiet the female down so we could talk.”
“My mate,” Murphy reiterated. The corner of Nessa’s mouth lifted, her fear taking a back seat as happiness took hold in its place. “Don’t attempt something like that again, or the truce between us will be null and void.”
“I understand.”
“I’m assuming you traced through the border of my territory, alluding my enforcers? What do you want, Constantine?”
“To collect on the debt you owe me.”
Too nosy to resist, Nessa stepped to the left, ignoring the way Murphy’s fingers tightened on hers as she looked at the vampire again.
“You could have called,” Murphy grumbled, a muscle ticking in his jaw.
“I could have,” Constantine agreed.
Nessa narrowed her eyes in confusion as she watched the vampire; something felt out of place when he spoke. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but Murphy’s words from before echoed in her mind. There was something off about him. Unnatural—and it wasn’t because of his demonic-looking eyes.
Well, notjustbecause of them anyway.
“However,” the vampire continued, “this matter is important. The task I have for you requires the utmost care, which is why I’ve come in person.”
“Speak your business, Constantine. It’s late and my mate needs to sleep.”
Constantine smiled. “Of course. My daughter is traveling in a few weeks for an event. She needs a bodyguard to escort her to her destination, protect her for the duration, and return her safely back to her coven.”
Murphy’s brows rose. “That’s all?”
The vampire inclined his head before straightening. He sent a sidelong glance to Nessa before returning his attention to Murphy. “I’d like to request that you send a shifter that isn’t mated. I would have preferred you, as you are the strongest of your clan, but I won’t risk my daughter’s safety if you’ve become distracted by your mate.”
Murphy nodded. “I’ll select someone from my clan to act as your daughter’s chaperone.”
“Why can’t a vampire go with your daughter?” Nessa blurted out, curiosity getting in the way of her common sense. Why was she interrupting their impromptu meeting? This had nothing to do with her!
She snapped her mouth closed, hoping Murphy wouldn’t be upset that she had just stuck her nose in his business.
“That’s a great question,” Murphy murmured. He lifted her hand to his mouth, his lips brushing against her knuckles. She shivered at the touch, remembering all too well how his mouth felt on hers. How good it had felt while he’d sucked on her neck, teasing her sensitive throat. “Constantine has many warriors within his coven. I’m sure they’re far better suited to protect his daughter.”
Constantine curled his upper lip in disgust. “Unfortunately, Kiara has been insistent on taking this trip alone. She is refusing my warriors at every opportunity. It was a miracle she agreed for a shifter to act as her guard.”
“And where will she be going? How long will she be gone for?” Murphy asked.
“She’ll be attending an event in New York to celebrate her friend’s transition into vampirism. This will only be for a week. Once she is safely returned to me, your debt will be paid.”
“I agree to your terms. We can discuss itineraries over the next few days.”
“Very well.” Constantine smiled, his fangs looking longer than they had a few seconds ago. “Enjoy your night.”
Then he suddenly disappeared, evaporating into thin air. Nessa jumped, a shocked sound escaping from her throat as Murphy closed the door. “He just—Where the hell did he go?” she exclaimed, placing a hand over her frantically beating heart.
“He traced away.”
“What is that? Like teleportation?”
Murphy’s lips twitched, and he pulled her to him as he turned to face her. When she was close enough, he scooped her up into his arms, carrying her like a bride back toward his bedroom.
