Steal the Night (Thieves #5)(25)

“Zoey, please.” I could hear the heartache in his voice. “You can’t ask me to sacrifice you.”

“You can’t ask me to sacrifice us,” I replied simply. “Are you telling me you wouldn’t want me anymore if Marini had me?”

He pulled me close and let his head fall against my chest. His ear rested against my breast, and I knew he was listening to my heartbeat. He found the sound soothing. “I don’t give a damn what he has. I love you. You’re my world. He could have you a thousand times and I would know you’re still mine.”

I stroked his hair, happy our little crisis had been averted. “Well, I’m glad you feel that way since you now know about my long-time affair with Lee. I’m glad you know. He’s such a kind, gentle lover.”

I felt Daniel’s chuckle.

Lee rolled his eyes at me as he disappeared behind the bar. “Thank god, he didn’t break the damn fridge. I need a beer.”

“Is the violence over?” Nim asked curiously.

“I think so.” Neil retrieved his Frappuccino and took a long swig.

“We’re fine now, Nim,” I assured her. “Dev will be infinitely more reasonable than Daniel. We’ll sit down and talk it out after Dev is done seeing the tape.”

Daniel snorted. “He has you so fooled.”

I was about to ask Daniel what he meant when my infinitely more reasonable husband stalked back into the room. He was shoving a semiautomatic pistol into the holster he’d wrapped around his shoulders, but I wondered why he needed it since it looked like he’d already emptied out the armory. He was carrying a P-90 and something I didn’t recognize. Zack trailed behind him, carrying a bag that was filled with what I was pretty sure were cakes of C-4.

Daniel sat up and observed his partner with an approving nod. “Nice. You’ve been wanting to use those flamethrowers ever since we bought them.”

Dev acknowledged Danny with a nod, but ignored me. He pointed at Lee. “You will fetch my wife’s clothes from last night. I know she left them in your apartment when she sought to hide the crimes against her. You will bring them to me and Zack will use them to track Marini. Daniel, you will stay out of range of that device of his.”

“Yes, Devinshea,” Daniel said sarcastically. “That will keep me out of the range of the blood splatter that will come when Marini slits your throat.”

“Well, I wasn’t intending to get close, Daniel. I’m going to blow up whatever building happens to be housing the f*cker at the time. If by some chance he escapes the blast, I will get him with the flamethrower. I have to admit, I’m rather hoping for the second scenario. I want to watch him burn.”

Dev had forgotten several important truths. “Dev, he travels with an entourage. You’re going to kill everyone just to get to Marini?”

He gave me one allowance. “Neil, you may call Chad and warn him he has ten minutes before I blow his ass away.”

Neil took a long suck off his straw. “Thanks, Dev. He’ll appreciate the heads up.”

“How about the humans?” I asked, horrified at the suggestion. There were always humans traveling with vampires. Companions were very rare, so human lovers and slaves would certainly be present.

“Collateral damage, my lover,” he said coldly. “They’ll be better off in the long run.”

I turned to look at Daniel, who didn’t seem shocked at Dev’s plan of action. He shook his head at my na?veté. “He’s as blood thirsty and possessive as I am. He just comes in a softer-looking package.”

“Does she expect us to allow this transgression to pass?” Dev’s face flushed, his words coming out in a harsh grind. “He held her down. He drank from her. He would have taken her if... What the hell happened? Who else was in that room? I couldn’t see anyone.”

“It was Bris,” I said quietly. “He couldn’t say anything, obviously, but I know it was him.”

“Remind me to thank him for that once he reintegrates.” Daniel motioned for Dev to sit down beside us. “But Z is right. We can’t just go around blowing shit up. You can end up on some serious watchlists for stuff like that.”

Dev sank down, letting the flamethrower gently find the floor. “Human laws. I find them very confining. Why do humans make all these lovely weapons if they are just going to outlaw their use?”

“It’s a mystery,” I allowed.

“I have to get this thing off my heart.” Daniel’s shoulders dropped.

“Yes, you do,” Dev said and I heard the relief in his voice.

Daniel nodded Nim’s way. “All right, Nim. Tell me what to do.”

“Well, first we have to find a demon to help us out,” Nim told him.

My vampire turned to me and his face fell when I smiled weakly. Daniel was back to holding his head in his hands. “No. I hate that f*cker.”

Stewart might not be thrilled with his welcoming committee.





Chapter Seven





Daniel and I stood outside the small bookstore on Greenville Avenue. It was a quiet little place that was easily missed since it was beside a sex shop with super-bright neon lights that promised every type of condom known to man. An insistent thud of music came from the small clubs all up and down the street. The spring night was slightly cool and pleasant on my skin.