I frowned. “Well, I would think in a life or death situation you could have used it on those Shadow Bloods!”
His face drew into an angry expression as he scowled. “I could have, but then I wouldn’t have had the strength to carryyouhome with my intestines hanging out!”
Oh, so it’s my fault?
“Whydidyou carry me home?” I shouted.
This had turned into a full-on argument. His fists were clenched and my chest was heaving, but I just didn’t care. I wanted to hate him, I wanted to see him as an ugly person, because the alternative was too much for me to handle.
“I don’t know! Clearly that was a mistake!” he yelled.
Now it was my turn to clench my fists. “I should have taken your head at that club!” I bellowed.
We stared at each other, chests heaving in frustration, which was comical since vampires didn’t need oxygen.
Then his eyes fell to my lips. “I made a split decision to save the pretty girl.Don’tmake me regret it.” He spun and started to walk back to his bedroom. “I’ll see you in Portland!” he called out behind him, slamming the door.
“Hah!Yousavedme?” I hurled at him in fury.
Okay, technically he did, but my ego was bruised and this mother effer was going to learn just how badass I could be.
After I stopped staring at his ass…
Luka Drake had gotten on my last damn nerve. I should have just let him die. It would have been a lot easier.
* * *
I was all packed.Fancy dress, check. Skinny jeans and cute top for networking, check. Hunting bag in case shit went awry while away, check. Senior hunter pin affixed to the top of my thigh-high boots. Check. Check. Check. I was going to the freaking Hunters’ Gala and I couldn’t be more excited!
“Stop grinning like a fool.” Liv tossed the kitchen hand towel at my face.
I tried to wipe the smirk off my face, to no avail.
“I’m going to be among legendary hunters. This is ahugehonor.”
She nodded. “With Sterling and your imprinted vampire in tow.”
“Shhh!” I hissed. Even in the privacy of our own apartment I didn’t want to talk aboutthat.I’d told Liv everything that went down at Luka’s and how we’d agreed to have him tag along for the trip. She’d just facepalmed the entire time and then offered to kill him for me.
As she sprinkled more parmesan on her pizza, my phone buzzed with an incoming text.
Random Dude From Bar:Just checked into the Duniway in Portland. Presidential Suite. Key for you at desk.
Damn, the Duniway was a nice hotel and just a few blocks from The Heathman, where the Hunters’ Gala was being held. Bold of him to stay so close to where over two hundred hunters were about to be gathered. If he was seen … he was supposed to be dead.
Me:Don’t leave your room. My boss thinks I killed you.
Random Dude From Bar:Yes my lady.
“Eww, he’s so charming. That’s weird.” Liv spoke from over my shoulder and I jumped.
“Don’t read my texts!” I shouted, clutching my chest. Then I quickly deleted the text exchange in case someone went through my phone.
Liv was frowning, staring down at me with a wild look in her eye.
“What?”
“He’s evil. A creature placed on this Earth to tempt you, Aspen.” Liv looked at me like I’d slept with him or something.
