Bad Mouth(37)

He started for the bedroom, but she pulled on his shirt. “Sofa,” she said. Her voice was muffled. He did as she asked, settling her into the cushy corner. After a trip into the hallway, he returned with some velvety blankets and a pillow, and then he brought her a glass of ice water.

“Hungry?” he asked. She shook her head. He crouched and lifted her hair from her face. She’d been crying. Hard. He stroked the tear tracks down her cheeks. “Please don’t cry. You’re killing me.”

“S-sorry. I hate to cry. I d-don’t want you to d-die.”

He sank onto the cushion next to her and hugged her tightly against him. “Thanks for the vote of confidence, you faithless bitch.”

She laughed until hiccups took over. When she looked up at him, his heart stopped and started and stopped and started, utterly as confused as his mind. Even with her slightly puffy eyes, every cell in his body responded to her. She was his tiny little fae lover, and it blew his mind that she wanted him, that she cared for him.

“If you abandon me again, I’ll castrate you with my own hands.”

He grinned. “You promise?” Her expression sobered, and he did his best to reassure her. “I’ll come back, Val. If I have to walk naked through hell to get to you, I’ll come back.”

His cell rang again. She rolled her eyes and curled up in the sofa’s corner. “More bad news, of course,” she grumbled.

He answered, and it wasn’t great news, but he wouldn’t exactly call it bad news either. Ian had flashed to the Ancients’ mansion to keep an eye on them so Kade had advance warning if his parents gathered military force. So far, there’d been no sign of such activity, which meant he’d be clear to challenge his father alone. However, Graham had shown up and was welcomed into the mansion. An hour later, there’d been no sign of the man’s departure.

Kade hung up and then debated whether he should share this news. Val cared about the guy, and it would upset her. She snuck a sidelong look at him and bit her lip. Damn, he wanted to lick and nip right there, too. He shook his head. She’d want to know what was going on. Well, hell.

“Ian saw Graham go into the mansion. It’s been an hour, and he hasn’t left yet.” He took her hand. “I’m sorry, baby. It doesn’t look good for him.”

She nodded. “He made his choice.”

“You’re taking this better than I thought you would.”

“He nearly got us killed, Kade. My heart’s not broken over him.” She twisted the edge of a blanket in her hand. “Maybe a little bruised. I don’t understand why he’s working for them. He had a thing for the Domina, but it’s still confusing. The last night I saw him, he was at the VLO late working in the dark. I never thought to ask what he was doing.”

“Maybe nothing relevant.”

“I don’t think so, but I guess we won’t know until we get him.”

Kade leaned over her, pressing her back into the sofa. “Damn, you’re sexy.” He caught her mouth with his, taking what he could before he had to leave. When he sat back, her fingertips went to her lips.

“You’re so good at that,” she said.

“Gotta keep practicing, though. Be ready when I get back.” His attempt at levity did nothing to lift her spirits.

“Just come back.”

He wished he could annihilate her worries, but it was difficult when he knew the odds were against him. He’d have his team there in case the Enforcers showed up, but he’d have to challenge each of his parents to take the throne from them. Even with none of the Enforcers at the mansion, taking on two of the Ancients could end him no matter how badly he wanted to live for Val. He couldn’t share his dread with her. He kissed her once more, and then headed out to meet his makers, literally. And likely his untimely death.





Chapter Twenty-eight


Val waited, but it wasn’t with an iota of patience. She wanted to scream. Her leg tapped a mile a minute as she counted how long it would take Kade to get to his car and head toward the mansion. He could not find out she planned to follow him, or he’d put a stop to it. He really believed she’d sit around like a princess while he put his life on the line. Had he forgotten that she was VLO?

No humans knew more about putting down bad vampires than the VLO.

With a scowl, she pulled out her cell and called Alice.

After getting off the phone, she pulled on a pair of jeans and tennis shoes from her bag. Next, she raced down to the plaza to catch the ride Alice had sent her way. At the back of her mind, she kept track of the lead Kade had on her. He wouldn’t have flashed there. He’d told Ezra it would be five hours, and one hour had passed already since they’d left the hospital. If he wanted to be in any shape to take on the Ancients, he’d have to travel there the old-fashioned way.

The driver Alice had sent was truly crazy. If she’d been nervous about Kade’s driving, this man would have imbedded her into the seat. Even so, it didn’t override her persistent worries about Kade’s safety.

Nothing could happen to Kade, not now. He’d said he loved her. “God, I love you.” Those were the words she’d treasure her entire life. She’d pull that memory out every night to kiss and stroke. She didn’t think he had even noticed saying them, but they rocked her to her toes. And what had she done in response? She’d cried like a baby. She was not a crier, damn it. Now if he died, he’d never know she loved him.

When the car jarred to a stop, she realized she’d lost track of time. At least her distracted thoughts had eaten the torturous wait to get there. They’d stopped at the base of the driveway, where they waited another torturous fifteen minutes before the VLO’s SWAT forces arrived to meet her. Alice had ridden with them.

“I can’t believe you came, too,” Val said. Considering how Alice felt about law enforcement officers, her presence was earth-shaking. She avoided them like the plague at headquarters.

“As if I’d miss this. This is the most excitement I’ve had since my high school prom. Are they all here?”

“I don’t know. We’ve been waiting down here for you guys.” Val checked her watch. Kade’s merry men had to have arrived ahead of them. “Let’s go.”

They hiked up to the dismal mansion, but not before the SWAT commander made both of them don Kevlar vests. Val’s heart thundered and nearly beat out of her chest when the SWAT guys kicked the door open, and she heard the clang of swords near the staircase.

Swords?

Throwing caution aside, she dodged Alice’s restraining hand and raced past the commander. She had her pistol drawn, but wasn’t sure what good it would do if Kade was engaged in battle. With her lousy aim, she could hit him as easily as one of the Ancients, and if she didn’t land the shot perfectly, it would only annoy whichever vampire she hit.

The scene at the staircase wasn’t what she’d expected. Kade’s team formed a large circle with Kade and Olen at the center. Near one foot of the staircase, Evangeline stood with Graham at her side. Val did a double take when she saw him. His eyes glowed red.

Oh, Graham. What a fool. He’d pay a high price for his deceit and betrayal.

Another clang of metal brought her attention to the center of the onlookers. Kade and Olen circled each other, their eyes bright and alert, watching for the slightest weakness in stance. It was like some barbaric medieval death match and everyone seemed content to let them fight it out. Was this vampire custom? Kade’s merry men didn’t seem overly concerned. Val signaled for the SWAT commander to hold back.

Ezra caught sight of her. He worked his way around to stand in front of her, bodily blocking her from the battle scene. She shoved at him, but he stood his ground.

“Do not interfere,” he rasped. “They’re fighting for the crown.”

“I don’t care, Ezra,” she said. She pushed a paper in his hands. “I’m here in an official capacity. I have an order for Olen’s arrest as well as Evangeline’s. I’ll have one for Graham within an hour.” She turned to Alice who had caught up with her. “Can you get Graham’s papers?”

“Sure thing, boss.”

“Val.” Ezra demanded her attention again. “If they don’t finish, Olen keeps the crown whether he’s detained or not. You have to let them finish.”

Frustration bit into her. She couldn’t believe Ezra was willing to let this all play out until his friend was killed. “And if Kade dies?”

“You have to trust him.”

But she did trust him. That didn’t stave off the terror of losing him. It suddenly struck her that she could lose him whether he won or not. She couldn’t live with a foot in each world, and he couldn’t join hers. If she chose not to join his, they’d have to part ways. She wasn’t ready to leave him. She didn’t think she’d ever be ready for that.