Fractured (Deep In Your Veins, #5)(21)

Slowly turning, I forced a smile for my Sire, ex-boyfriend, and bad memory. His own smile was oddly warm and, if I wasn’t mistaken, a little amused. Something was funny? “Marco,” I greeted simply, conscious that a heavy silence had fallen and we were the focus of my entire nest’s attention.

His eyes raked over me, though not in a sleazy way. “Looking good, sweetheart.”

I didn’t like his tone…because it was affectionate, and that made no sense. But then, Marco was a very good actor. As a human, I hadn’t sensed the coldness behind that seriously good-looking exterior. And I’d paid for that mistake.

He flicked a look at the vampires with me and asked, “Aren’t you going to introduce me, Imani?”

“I don’t think I need to introduce Sam and Jared. This is Butch. Guys, this is Marco.” As he raised an expectant brow, I reluctantly added, “My Sire.”

Marco inclined his head their way, not breaking eye contact with me. “Part of the legion now, hmm, Imani? Good for you.”

Well, if he could fake courtesy, I could do the same. “Thanks.”

He looked at Sam. “You made a good decision when you recruited Imani.”

Sam didn’t seem to know what to make of him. “I did,” she agreed.

Marco’s gaze slid back to me. “Come have a talk with me; tell me what you’ve been doing all these years.” It was more of a gentle demand than a request.

For some reason, I got the sudden and inexplicable feeling that he already knew what I’d been doing. But that couldn’t be possible. “Maybe later.” Or maybe f*cking never.

His eyes flared ever so briefly, but it was enough for me to note the anger he was doing an excellent job of hiding. “Surely you can spare your own Sire a little of your time.”

“As I said, maybe later.”

A blonde slinked her way into his group and leaned into him, placing a possessive hand on his chest as she looked at me. “Who is she, Marco?” The knowing glint in her eyes told me she knew exactly who I was but was trying to communicate that I had little significance.

He didn’t look at her as he replied, “Juliet, this is my Imani.”

I gritted my teeth at Marco’s use of the word ‘my’. Butch went stiff as a board. Juliet…she just switched her full attention to Marco, and I got the feeling that I actually was completely insignificant to her. She was fully secure in her place in his life.

“Are you sure you won’t stay and talk with me?” There was a silky menace to Marco’s words, and I knew he’d be thoroughly pissed if I once again refused.

Just then, Tait appeared and curled into his other side, equally possessive as Juliet. The display was pitiful. Honestly, the way they stroked his chest and nuzzled his neck…all that was missing was someone fanning him with leaves while they fed him grapes.

“I’ll leave you and the Playboy Bunnies to it,” I said with a smile. Someone snickered. I wasn’t sure whether it was that snicker, my refusal to stay with him, the hand Butch then possessively slayed on my back, or the fact that I’d insulted his consorts, but a low growl rumbled out of Marco. Just like that, I had Max, Paige, Ava, and Salem behind me.

Huffing, Juliet soothingly rubbed his chest. “Be calm, Marco. You don’t need to be upset on my behalf, but I appreciate you being so protective.”

Glaring at me, Tait sneered, “You might be technically Marco’s first-born, but I’m the one who’s been supporting him. I’m the one who’s always at his side. I’m the one who does everything expected of a first-born.”

This was supposed to affect me? I shrugged one shoulder. “Good for you, and good for him.”

“You think you’re so special, don’t you? Well, you’re wrong.”

“So hostile.” Seriously, her hatred of me was so thick, I could almost touch it. “You don’t even know me.”

Another sneer. “I don’t need to know you. I’ve heard enough to know you’re a complete bitch.”

Wait, Marco had stolen my human life and then abandoned me…but I was the bad guy? This girl was wacked.

Butch tensed beside me as she took a small step closer. I placed my hand on his thigh to hold him back. I could deal with her, no problem.

“I’ve been waiting a long time to give you a piece of my mind.”

“Can you afford to give me a piece?” I quipped.

Tait flicked a hand at me. “See, a complete bitch.”

“It’s a tough job, and quite often thankless. But I’m thinking it’s still a better job than being a second-born playing at being a first-born.”

Her fangs descended. “Such bravado coming from someone who ran away to play human because they couldn’t handle their new life. Pitiful.”

I rolled my eyes. “If I throw a stick, will you leave?”

“You’re the one who doesn’t belong here. You ran from your nest, you deserted them, and you can’t simply reappear and expect to be welcomed. That’s the issue here.”

“That’s not the real issue. But the issue isn’t actually even the real issue. It’s your issue with the issue that’s the true issue, don’t you think?”

Eyes blazing, she bared her teeth. “I’m not someone you should toy with.”