CHAPTER 17
SLASHER
With Dasher’s help, I dragged the vampire bitch choking on his cross blade and dumped her ass in the empty cellar. “If I put a bullet into one of the dipshits that were supposed to guard your sister in front of her, she’d never do it again.”
Venom’s mate writhed on the dark concrete, Dasher quick with Vetala shackles on her wrists and ankles. He pulled on the chains until she was lifted in the air, black hair untamed, four limbs spread, immobile by the power of poisonous steel. “And when they come back to life in the same house she lives?”
I scowled, annoyed by the gurgles and rattles coming from the bitch, and the smell of burning flesh on my VP’s hands. “Sooner or later, she will know, Dasher.”
“Not if she leaves soon enough.” He secured the chains and shook the pain off his hands. “And she will.”
“Why do you wanna drive her away?”
“I don’t, but you don’t know my sister like I do. She will ditch on her own.”
“Don’t know about that. She sounds like she’s here to stay.” Or so I hoped. Every time I imagined she was gone, something beyond all logic and understanding flipped in me. I only saw the woman today for fuck’s sake. Why was I so… I didn’t even have a word for what I was around Vixen.
He chuckled as he locked up the small dungeon where we kept our hostages. Then we climbed up the steps of what used to be Dasher’s family wine cellar. “Don’t be fooled, Prez. She might look like she gives a shit, but she’s here for one thing only. Once she gets it, she’s out. If she doesn’t get it, she’s out even sooner.”
My scowl deepened. “The job?”
His keys chimed when he secured the cellar and snapped the deadbolt. Then he started to the kitchen. “Her ex.”
I’m going to kill the son of a bitch.Jealousy stabbed at my heart like a splintered stake. “Nah. She hates the fucker.”
“Not enough to stay away for good. She wouldn’t come back for her brother, but she would for him.” Bitterness laced his voice.
I nodded at the busy prospects on kitchen and bar duty tonight. “For revenge, not for him. It’s a legit reason, Bro. Doesn’t mean she wants him back or she isn’t here for you, too.”
He halted to a stop, staring at me. “No one should get attached to Vixen.”
Had I said too much? I ran a hand through my hair and tapped the bar counter with the other. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
His face was harder than mine. “To answer your question, I don’t want to drive her away, but I don’t want her here either. I don’t want to get hurt by her leaving again. My sister is a deserter, Slasher. The question is, why doyouwanna keep her so badly?”
A cold bottle hit my fingers. I grabbed it quickly and took a big swig. “I don’t. She’s your sister,” I reminded myself as I sat. “I’m just trying to protect her from the fucked up shit out there.” Then I took a bigger gulp and shrugged. “Maybe I should back off. She’s a grown ass woman.”
He slouched, his shoulder against the counter as he leaned closer to me. “And she has me. I will kill anything or anyone that comes near that ass.”
I loved Dasher, and our bond couldn’t be broken if we wished. I was his maker, and he was my best friend and right hand. I trusted him with my life, but I wouldn’t be threatened by my own VP over a bitch even if she was his blood. “Have a cold one and chill, Bro. We should have a party tonight, get some pussy, some blood. Have fun.”
“Party? Venom must be frantic now that we have his mate. He could strike any time soon. We must stay alert, especially when we have a human in the house.”
“He’s a pussy. He wouldn’t dare come here, and I bet he doesn’t give a shit about the bitch either. He gave her up to save his ass.”
“Then why did we take her if it’s not to lure him out? Interrogation?”
“Yes. The shit she’s gonna sing will help us find him. Or if he does give a shit, he will come out. But because he’s the chicken fuck he’s always been, it won’t be a proper confrontation. He’ll forge some kind of trap to stab us in the back. But we’ll be ready.” I stood. “Party tonight. Call the sluts in,” I yelled, and the house roared in approval.
I needed the party more than anyone. I’d had enough Vixen drama for one day. To get over this shit, I had to stick my dick and fangs in a few bitches that looked nothing like the one that could bring down everything I’d built here.
CHAPTER 18
VIXEN
“You’re coming with me.” Terror’s voice enflamed more rage in me as I watched Russell disappear into the elevator before I retorted to his gloating. All the comments I could have made flared in my head painfully.
I could have gone withhope you can keep her this time. May she break your dick with her boney butt.
