Page 86 of Bleed

“Events like this stopped holding my interest a long time ago.” His eyes meet mine through the lenses of his glasses. “Though I will admit… your presence has made this one considerably more tolerable.”

I blink.

Wait… did Elliott Faulkner just compliment me?

With him, it’s honestly hard to tell.

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” I decide.

“As you should.”

The corner of his mouth twitches in what almost looks like a smile.

Before I can decide whether I imagined it, Valentina reappears beside us with a dramatic sigh, dropping into her chair like she’s just returned from battle.

Elliott turns toward her, arching a brow. “Bored already?”

She grins, baring perfect white teeth. “Absolutely.” She slings an arm around my shoulders, leaning into me like we’ve known each other for years instead of hours. “So…” she begins, her eyes sparkling mischievously. “What’s the plan? After party?”

I’m buzzed enough to giggle. “I mean… I wouldn’t say no.”

Elliott’s gaze lingers on the two of us for a long, thoughtful moment, something unreadable passing behind his eyes. Then he says, “I don’t think I can handle the club scene tonight. But you’re welcome to come back to the apartment with us, if you’d like.”

My pulse stutters.

Wait.

Did he just invite…

Valentina’s plush lips spread into a grin. “Ooh, exactly the kind of after party I had in mind.”

“I’ll have the car brought around,” Elliott murmurs, already pulling his phone from his pocket.

The knot in my stomach tightens. I glance between them as Elliott sends the message and Valentina finishes the last sip of her champagne, the two of them moving with the easy confidence of people who’ve done this before.

Was this the plan all along?

Was I just the awkward third wheel while they rekindled their infamous love affair?

The thought catches me so off guard that for once, I’m at a total loss for words.

“Come on,” Valentina coaxes, slipping her hand into mine. “Let’s grab one more drink before we go.”

She gives my hand a gentle tug, and like the world’s biggest idiot, I follow.

Well, this night took a turn.

If you’d asked me when it started how I thought it might end, my absolute last answer would’ve been taking the elevator up to the penthouse with Elliott’s ridiculously hot ex-girlfriend in tow. Yet here we are, the three of us trapped inside this metal box, the knot in my gut tighter with every floor until the display finally reads PH.

The doors slide open with a soft chime. Elliott steps out first, Valentina right behind him. The click of my heels joins hers as I follow them into the penthouse, still buzzed, thoroughly irritated, and feeling like the stupidest woman alive.

It’s one thing for Elliott to be cold and distant and not want to touch me. It’s another to have me spend the entire evening in the company of his sexy vampire ex, then for him to invite her home with us under the guise of an ‘after-party’. If he’s trying to make a point, he picked a hell of a way to do it.

“I’d almost forgotten how stunning your view is,” Valentina comments, gazing out the wall of windows as the glittering city lights reflect in her eyes.

Annnnnd that’s my cue to either rip her hair out or make a dignified exit.

Considering she’s a vampire and could probably end my life without breaking a sweat, I opt for the latter.