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“Drink first?” Nicholas offered.

Dante dipped his head before heading to his private booth. Nicholas strode toward the bar as Yulian followed Dante. The darkness of the lounge surrounded Dante, pulling him into comfort, relaxing him as he let the concerns that always plagued him by leading the clan slip away.

At his age, Dante didn’t have issues with bright lights and could even handle a little of the sun. Darkness, the shadows, still called to his very nature. To all of them.

Unbuttoning his jacket, Dante took the time to peer around him. The lounge wasn’t very busy this evening. Most patrons probably in one of the rooms already finding their fun for the evening. Those he did recognize received a brief dip of Dante’s head in acknowledgment before Dante slid into his booth.

A part of him wanted to hurry to the nursery and the night’s big event. The other side of him knew that even though he would find a boy, he always did, the evening would end in disappointment. Some things just didn’t seem to be.

He didn’t even care if his boy was human or supernatural. Dante just wanted a boy that he felt some kind of connection with. A true connection that money, power, and all the rest weren’t factored into.

Nicholas returned with two drinks, sliding into the booth next to him. “Looks like the nursery is full tonight. Several new faces.”

Accepting his glass, Dante picked it up to sip at the dark liquid. The myth about his kind not eating or drinking was complicated. Dante could do both and never feel full. Not unless he gorged himself on blood as well. There were times when the single malt aged Scotch that he favored was more of a status symbol than something he enjoyed. “Interesting.”

“Interesting?” Nicholas mimicked. “Why?”

“We have had more supernatural coming to the city, to our club, recently,” Dante said. “I’ve approved numerous requests in the past six months.”

“They are welcome here,” Nicholas pointed out. “You made this neutral ground for a reason.”

Dante sipped again. He had. Was that a mistake? Should he stop allowing other species into his territory? Normally as long as the shifters and witches did business in the city and Dante profited off them, he allowed their presence. And the club was one of his most profitable businesses.

“As I was saying,” Nicholas said, leaning forward, staring at Dante intently. “There are several new boys in the nursery, no doubt hoping for your attention. Even a new baby vamp,” Nicholas said.

Slowly, Dante lowered his glass to the table. “New vampire?”

“Young one too,” Nicholas stated. “And cute.”

Interest piqued, Dante finished off his drink in one swallow. “Let’s go.”

“I thought that would get your attention,” Nicholas said with a grin.

Dante ignored his old friend as he slid out of the booth. Yulian straightened.

“I’m going to the nursery,” Dante informed Yulian.

“I should go with you,” Yulian replied.

“I’ll be fine. Nicholas will be with me.”

“I got him.” Nicholas slapped Dante’s back.

Yulian frowned.

“Maybe have a drink while I’m busy.” Dante was all for having security but he didn’t want that to impede his evening plans. If this baby vamp wanted his attention, then Dante didn’t want to disappoint the boy.

“Yes, boss.” Yulian nodded before backing off.

Dante knew his head of security wouldn’t go far. Yulian wouldn’t be in the room with him but Yulian would have eyes on him all night. That was just the way life was for a vampire clan leader. Privacy was something that Dante had long given up.

“Come on,” Nicholas urged. “Jesse just got dropped off by our driver. He’s meeting me in the nursery.”

“Ah.” The real reason Nicholas was in a hurry to get to the nursery was because his own boy was there. Not that Dante blamed him. If he had a boy, Dante was sure that he would feel the same. Although he was honestly intrigued to hear that there was a new vampire in town. And cute? Dante liked cute.

The black stone floor led the way to the room that Dante was anxious to get to. Laughter could already be heard from the open doorway. He slowed his steps, allowing his vampire senses to probe the area as he blocked the doorway.

Happy littles, middles, pups, boys, and girls of the adult age packed into the large room had the volume in the space almost too much. The scents were even more overpowering. Dante still had no issue spotting the new vampire boy playing off on his own alone.