The Way You Bite(77)

Ambrose tilted her neck and licked. He bit. It wasn’t a delicate bite, but a viper strike. His huge fangs were lodged deep into the flesh of her neck…so easy to make it a fatal bite if he took too much of her blood too fast.

She whimpered, which twisted his gut. Fuck patience.

Eric stepped forward and put a hand on his arm.

He fisted his hands, his nails elongating as the wolf within fought to kill the male touching his mate.

Ambrose muttered, “Mmm. Amazing.” He took several more deep swallows and pulled away, letting blood continue to dribble down her neck from the open holes.

She jerked against him. He didn’t release her.

Seconds later, Ambrose stumbled as if drunk and let go of her. She held a hand to her neck as she backed away. Her gaze met Lexan’s.

Ambrose whispered, “What is this? What did you do to me?” Tremors wracked his body.

She stood tall. “My father is Blaylock Lazlo. The werewolf.”

“No…” Ambrose wailed as he wiped blood from his nose and eyes. It was ugly and violent.

The other vampires attacked.

Lexan’s heart rate slowed as he allowed the trained warrior in him to take over. His vision narrowed onto the targets around him, and those around Vee. He tossed two knives in rapid succession. The first hit the gun arm of the vamp closest to Vee. The gun fired before he released it, but the bullet landed well out of range of Vee. The second knife he threw landed deep in the same vampire’s neck, knocking him backward.

Eric attacked two of Ambrose’s men, and TC took out the other two. His other boys flanked Lexan, protecting. He scooped Vee into his arms. She breathed. Her heart rate steady.

He shook her gently until her eyes opened. “How much are you hurt?”

“I’ll be fine. That was…disgusting.”

Vamps suddenly dropped to the ground, bleeding and dead as if killed by ghosts. Then, Blay and his men became visible. Blay prowled toward Ambrose who had not moved from where he knelt on the floor. Not quite dead but well on his way.

“You killed Arie.”

“Blaylock?” Ambrose gasped, his hand on his chest. “But you were gone. Dominic said he…”

Blay leaned toward Ambrose. In a low mesmerizing voice asked, “Why did you kill her?”

Vee rolled in Lexan’s arms to see.

His eyes glazed over. “A means to an end.”

“Did you intend to start this war?” Blay asked.

“Yes.”

Blay gazed at the ceiling and took a deep inhale and exhale. “Is Viktor involved?”

“He knew.” Ambrose laughed. “But now with the new and improved version of the virus we don’t need to fight you in battle. You’re all going to die.” He coughed and fell to the floor as seizures took over.

Blay walked away.

Lexan nodded. “We are leaving the country, going home. Tonight.”

Blay halted as he passed by Lexan. “I leave her to your care, but—”

“No buts. She will be safe with us,” he interrupted. “Don’t be a stranger. If you want to keep your public status as dead, then that’s fine. Jacob gave her all the information, and I want her to use it. Sounds like this is going to be about the virus. We’re going to need something to fight it. We should also speak on…issues.”

“I won’t take your place as king. Do not even think to ask.”

Lexan chuckled. “The thought might’ve passed through my mind. Then visit, because Vee needs to know her father.”

Blay reached out and touched her cheek. “I would like that.”





Chapter Twenty-Nine


Vee wrapped one arm around Lexan’s neck and leaned into him for the slow song. “You haven’t told me you love me today.”

“I’m in a damned tux. That should tell you everything you need to know. Only dead men wear suits.”

“You look handsome.” She leaned in and kissed his mouth. Not a real kiss, but a tease.

“I’ve asked you three times since the start of this debacle if you’re wearing underwear.” His hand moved low on her back to pull her tighter against him. He spun her out of the way of two couples on the dance floor while struggling to define the emotions churning in his brain. The ceremony, although purely symbolic, made their married status official. She’d been right to push for the event. At least he wasn’t the only one forced into a tux. All of his guard had been stuffed into penguin suits as well. The guys had moved beyond discomfort only when Vee caved and let them be armed.

“You and thongs.” She rolled her eyes. “This tells me you’re thinking about sex, not that you love me. By the way, I am wearing one, and it’s skimpy.”

“You’re killing me.”

She giggled and waved at Eric as he twirled a pretty brunette wolf nearby. The wedding reception was small. “Eric looks like he’s having fun.”

“He wants to get laid.”

She hit him playfully on the arm. “He probably heard that.”

“I’m counting on it. He negotiated hard with TC to be off duty tonight. He needs a woman to help him relax.”

Eric winked at Lexan and dipped his dance partner, who squealed in delight.

She leaned in and kissed Lexan’s throat. “I love you a lot, by the way. Thank you for all this. It means so much to me that you’d put on the tux, which looks amazing, and get up in front of people to say vows. Thank you for taking me on a honeymoon in Brussels. I know it’s not glamorous, but it’s got the best virologist at the university—”