Page 24 of Protected by the Vampire

He did while watching everything around us.

Good. He would need that sense of awareness.

As we settled, another member of my people approached.

“Eminence.” She dipped her head to me and then lower to Theo. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you, Mary.”

As soon as she was gone, others stepped up. Some were cautious. More were curious. And all were respectful.

Every single one of them dipped their heads first to me and then to Theo.

There was still a line, but when Theo’s gaze snapped to me, making it clear he was tired of waiting for answers, I lifted a hand and waved the rest away.

“All right, I’m not stupid. You’re someone important. More than a bar owner. But why the hell are they bowing to me?”

I picked up my glass and swirled the whiskey around. “Because,” I said softly, “you stand beside me.”

He frowned. “That ain’t enough to make everyone bow.”

He was correct; it wasn’t.

I took a slow sip before setting the glass down, meeting his eyes fully. “You’re bonded to me,” I said, “which makes you untouchable.” Hopefully.

His jaw tightened slightly, but he didn’t interrupt.

“And more than that—” I leaned in, lowering my voice, threading truth through every word. “—I am not merely their employer, Theo.”

Understanding flickered—just a spark.

“I am their elder.” Silence stretched between us. “This region—every creature within it—answers to me.”

His brows rose, something like impressed disbelief crossing his features. “You’re serious.”

“I do not joke about power.”

There was a beat before his mouth curved, slow and dangerous. “So, what you’re sayin’ is—” He leaned forward as his eyes locked with mine. “—I’ve been walkin’ around with a king?”

Something dark and happy coiled in my chest again. Smirking, I shook my head. “Just a very powerful elder with a lot of money.”

He chuckled. “And does that make me your sugar baby?”

Laughing, I reached out, gripped his chin, and kissed him lightly.

“That, but also my equal,” I said. “Whether they like it or not.” I needed him to know he would always come first. And anyone who challenged that wouldn’t last long.

Around us, the club moved again but differently now.

More aware and cautious because the truth had settled in.

He wasn’t just mine.

He stood beside me.

And in this world, that meant everything.

CHAPTER SEVEN