Page 25 of Protected by the Vampire

Spade

The club pulsed around us, vibrating through the floor. Bodies were packed tight, their sweat and sin clinging to the air. It was my kind of place. But the best part of it was the man sitting at my side.

My man.

I tipped my glass back, then nudged his arm. “Does this mean you rule over Riker?”

His lips twitched faintly. “Riker and his family are different.”

“How so?” I asked.

Soren exhaled through his nose, gaze drifting out over the dance floor, passing over the grinding bodies. “They came into my territory years ago.”

That got my attention. “Territory, huh?” I echoed, leaning one elbow on the table. “Sounds like our club. We have our own area we look after.”

“I know. Riker is full of information.”

Snorting, I shook my head. “Yeah, he is. He’s also a big ball of energy. But he’s been good for our president.”

He smiled. “I’m glad they found each other.”

“Me, too, or else we mightn’t have met.”

His gaze darkened. He hated the thought of that.

I rested my hand on his thigh and squeezed. “Riker and his family?” I pressed, to change the subject. I didn’t like seeing him upset, even from a thought.

He took a sip of his drink. In the days and nights we’d spent in my room, I’d discovered that a lot of the stuff about vampires wasn’t true. They could walk in the sunlight, drink and eat, and garlic or crosses did nothing to them. But a stake to the heart or being beheaded could kill them. However, they were faster and stronger than most creatures.

Soren rested his hand over mine as he said, “I felt them the moment they crossed the boundary. Fox shifter, bear shifter, and tiger shifter. They were strong, fierce, and walked right into my club—this one—to demand a meeting. I gave it. I was bored, and they intrigued me. We walked out of the room as friends, and sometimes they pay me for assistance in certain jobs.” Soren smirked. “It’s hard not to love Riker, but once you meet Deacon and Nox, I believe you’ll enjoy their company too. Eventually. They’re gruffer, sharper, but have this soft side when it comes to their fated mates.”

I nodded. “I get it with Riker. It was easy to like him. But he hasn’t brought his brothers to the club yet.”

“He will, and when that happens, it’s probably best to start with a small group of members than to have everyone there.”

I tipped my chin up. “I’ll talk to Prez and Riker.”

Soren smiled. “You’ll have to let me know when this’ll happen. I’d like to see you meet them.”

I winked. “You got it.” I took a sip of my drink before telling Soren, “One time, I asked Riker what he does for a job.”

Soren’s lips twitched. “Did he tell you?”

“He danced around it, saying a bit of this and that. That the family has businesses. But I had a feeling there was more. Am I right?”

“You are, and since you’re in our world now—and you’re mine—I can tell you anything you desire.”

“Fuck, I like the way you say I’m yours,” I muttered before leaning in to capture his lips.

He sighed against them, happy to take my tongue in front of everyone. The knowledge sent happiness and pride sweeping through my body.

I nipped at his bottom lip and watched with a smirk as his fangs descended.

His tongue slipped out to lick over one before they disappeared again. “My pet, I’ll allow a few more questions and another drink, but then I need you upstairs with me.”

My cock stirred. “Deal.”

“To answer your previous one. Riker, Deacon, and Nox do have businesses that bring them in a large amount of income, but they also work for the council—as in the supernatural council who governs over us all. Though, every major species holds a seat, so it’s fair. The shifters’ mother being one of them.”