Page 26 of Protected by the Vampire
“What do they do for them?” I asked as another two drinks were set on the table. The woman bowed, tits swinging, before retreating. I pushed one toward Soren before I grabbed the other.
“Assassinations. They bring justice to those of us who wrong our world in one way or another.”
I stilled and blinked. “So… all the talk Riker does about killin’ is real?”
His chuckle had my gut somersaulting. I fucking loved the sound of his voice. “Riker never lies about killing. His animal relishes in it. As does Deacon’s. Whereas Nox is the one who hungers to slaughter in his human form.”
“Goddamn,” I muttered, nodding, impressed by the brothers.
“Exactly.”
“Are the brothers the only ones you’re close with?”
“There is one other. Dashiel. He’s an elf whom you will meet one day. We’ve been friends for decades.”
“An elf?”
“Yes.”
Leaning in, I whispered, “Like, with pointy ears?”
He chuckled. “Yes. He is a prince among his kind.”
Nodding, I took another sip. “I look forward to meetin’ the ones you call friend.”
“Do you have family outside of the club?”
“Nah, they’re long gone.”
“I’m sorry for your loss.”
Snorting, I shook my head. “I didn’t mean they’re dead. They moved away a while ago. But they’ve never liked who I am—a biker—so they want nothin’ to do with me. Doesn’t bother me, though. I’ve found a family I can count on.”
He brushed his finger over my jaw. “You have.”
“And now you’re a part of it too,” I told him… like he didn’t already know. But as soon as we’d claimed each other, he became mine. Husband. Partner. Mate.
“I am.” His fingers dug into my thigh. “Let’s finish our drinks.”
His need for me was growing. I could feel it as well as see it, and I wanted him just as much.
We fell into silence, but it wasn’t the awkward kind. It was easy, pleasant. Around us, the club carried on with music, laughter, and bodies grinding together, but I pushed all that aside and focused on one thing.
Soren.
He watched his people with a small half smile on his goddamn stunning lips.
Until there was a shift within him, and his expression blanked.
Soren went still. Like something had suddenly occurred to him and he didn’t like whatever it was.
I angled toward him. “What is it?”
He blinked. “Sorry?”
“What’s on your mind?”
“Nothing,” he said quickly. Too quickly.
