The Way You Bite(76)

“I prefer to stand.” Lexan folded his arms across his chest.

“Suit yourself.” He sat, crossing his legs with a smug smile. “I was surprised to see a wolf marked Vee. But then, your theatrics to rescue her were quite interesting. So fascinating the king of werewolves wants a vampire.”

“Where is she?”

He waved his hand. “She’s here. We will get to her and your mysterious fascination with her. So, why use her as bait to speak with me now? I figured we’d see each other on opposite sides of the war. Please tell me this isn’t some political apology visit.”

“You killed Arie Scarpa and incited this Stateside skirmish. Why?”

The skin around his mouth tensed. Subtle. Otherwise, no outward emotion. “You have no proof.”

“I repeat, why?”

“I owe you no explanation.”

Admission of guilt. “On the contrary. You caused the deaths of hundreds of my people. You sought to ignite this skirmish into a worldwide war by shooting at me. I shall give you a chance to defend yourself before I pass judgment.”

“I shot at you? You stole my future bride from me. I was justified to protect and defend what is mine.”

“You never wanted her,” Lexan said.

“That actually isn’t true. She served a purpose. My father wanted our family united with the Scarpas so he could control them and this country.”

“Why are you working with a biotech firm in California?”

He smiled. “Had me checked out. I am impressed with your intel. I’m sure you can guess what we’re up to.”

“What are you planning to do with the virus?”

“There are some things I can discuss and some I cannot.” He shrugged.

From the upstairs came the noise of several men moving downward. Vee was pushed into the room, landing on her knees. One of Ambrose’s top guards pointed a gun at her head.

Lexan’s mind hazed as he assessed her puffy lip and the bit of dried blood from her nostrils. He wanted to rip every vampire around her to shreds.

“You’re going to walk out of here and leave my fiancée with me. You’re going to forget about her. If you don’t, if I get even a sniff of a wolf near her, I’ll have her killed.” Ambrose smiled as if he held all the cards. He rose and sauntered to Vee and helped her to stand up.

“Darling, who hit you?” asked Ambrose. He touched her puffy lip. “Who do I need to kill?”

She cringed. “The asshole who picked me up slapped me. We had a little disagreement when I exited the car.”

Ambrose’s gaze frosted as he glared at one of the vamps nearby. “You had directions not to harm her.” He touched her cheek. “She has such beautiful skin.”

“She bit me. I got angry.”

“We’ll deal with this later.” The chill of his tone indicated it wouldn’t go well for the other guy. His tone returned to the seductive smoothness. “I apologize, darling. But don’t change. I like you feisty.” He traced a finger along her chin.

“What’s this about a virus?” she asked.

“Nothing you need worry your pretty little head about.” He fingered the side of her neck and glanced at Lexan. Even if his brain recognized that Ambrose wanted to make him jealous by this display, it didn’t stop his base desire to chew out his throat.

“He wants to bite me, and I’m going to let him,” Vee said telepathically.

A sultry smile transformed her face. “We were on opposite sides last I saw you.” She touched him back, a few fingers on his cheek. “I was trying to explain that the werewolf over there just bit me, and I didn’t know what to do. Then they took me again.”

“You didn’t go with them willingly?” Ambrose met Lexan’s gaze. Lexan knew he probably looked murderous and damn if Ambrose wasn’t getting off on it. Ambrose’s pupils dilated. He ran a finger down her pulsating jugular vein again while staring at Lexan.

She said, “Did it look willing when someone slung me over his shoulder? I’ve been trying to get back here since. They say you killed my mother.”

Ambrose touched his lips to her neck, his eyes searching for Lexan’s. Yeah, he bet the jealousy was all over his face. “She was a traitor to our species and a necessary means to an end.”

“What end?” she asked but then added, “You wanted the war here? You’re one of the vamps who want werewolves enslaved again.”

“Enslaved?” He laughed. “They’ve been free too long. This is about eradication. The good king over there couldn’t even do me the honor of dying from my assassins, or my bullet.”

“Why do you hate them?”

Ambrose frowned. “You’re trying to get information from me…for him?” His gaze met Lexan’s. “Of course you are. You can’t think I’m that stupid. Yet, you’re mine. You’ll never be his, and he doesn’t like that.” He snaked his arm around her shoulder, tilted her head to the side, and slid his nose along her neck, deeply inhaling. “She smells amazing, doesn’t she, Lexan? I think I’ll have a small taste now. Maybe I’ll let you watch me fuck her while I drink.”

“Don’t,” Lexan growled. He wasn’t faking the anger.