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My heart lodges in my throat as a knock on the door startles me from my thoughts. I leap up from the couch, smoothing my hands over my hair as I try––and fail––to walk calmly toward the door. I sprint the last few steps and yank it open.
Jesse’s name dies on my tongue as I leap backward, a hand flying up to my throat. Two males stand before me, and neither of them is my enigmatic neighbor.
They look like they just stepped off of a Viking ship. Both of them are big and burly with full beards. Both have long, blond hair peppered with small braids. They are extremely handsome, but their beauty only makes them appear more other.
It’s obvious they aren’t human, which makes them
“Pardon the intrusion,” the one on the right says, giving me a smile that makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. “We are looking for your next-door neighbor, Mr. Lee. Have you seen him this morning?”
“N-no,” I stutter, my voice so weak, I’m sure they wouldn’t have heard me if they weren’t vampires.
The other man cocks his head to study me, and I force myself to breathe. I need to control my anxiety. These are obviously the men Franklin Belloy sent to find his son. Jesse promised me they wouldn’t hurt me, and in this moment, I choose to believe him. He’ll be their king one day, after all.
“I haven’t seen him this morning,” I say honestly, my voice stronger this time.
They study me for a moment, no doubt listening to the pounding of my heart against my ribs, before the one who spoke nods. My breath hitches when he digs a hand into the pocket of his expensive-looking slacks, but he only pulls out a small, white card and holds it out to me.
“It’s imperative that we speak to him,” he says, handing over what I can now see is a business card.
I take it, careful not to touch him in the process, and read the words printed on the front.
Erik Nilsen
310-555-0012
I look back up at him and give him a shaky nod. They turn in one smooth, choreographed-looking motion and walk away. I resist the urge to poke my head out and watch them to make sure they actually leave and close the door instead. I lock it quickly, then pause to wonder if the metal bolt would hinder them at all if they decide to come back.
I turn around, and my heart stutters for the second time in as many minutes when I find Jesse standing there. My hand slaps against my chest as I barely stifle the shriek tearing it way up my throat.
“Jesus, Jesse,” I gasp.
“Sorry,” he says quickly, holding up his palms. “I heard Erik’s voice, and I wanted to make sure…”
“What?” I ask when his words trail off. “Make sure they didn’t kill me?”
The hurt look in his eyes makes me instantly regret my word choice. Didn’t I already decide his words about them not hurting me were honest? I can see I’ve offended him, but I seal my lips shut and wait for him to answer the question.
“They won’t hurt you, Eden. I already told you that, and it’s the truth. I just wanted to make sure they didn’t try to scare you. They can be quite intimidating, and they don’t hesitate to use it to their advantage.”
“I’m sorry,” I say quietly. “Their unexpected visit just threw me, a little. I believe you.”
He gives me a short nod, saying, “Good.”
I tilt my head, my eyebrows drawing low. “If they need to see you so badly, why don’t they just break down your door?”
“They wouldn’t dare,” he says, his voice deepening. “They know how powerful I am. They think they can reason with me. Get me to accept my father’s will and come home. But it won’t work. Not until I’m ready.”
His eyes brighten with those last words, his gaze roaming down my body before snapping back up to meet mine. I feel my face heat under his perusal, memories of last night flooding my mind.
“Can’t your father force you to go home?” I ask, desperate to change the subject before I throw caution to the wind and jump him. “Like…through your bond, or something?”
He smiles. “A sire-bond? That’s not real. The only thing that ties me to him and compels me to do his bidding is my love and respect for him. And I will go home to him, eventually. I’m just not ready, yet. Right now, I want more for myself.”
“What do you want?” I ask, swallowing thickly.
“For starters? You. One taste wasn’t enough. Last night only stoked the flames of my desire for you, Eden Walsh.”
Lava rolls through me as Jesse walks forward, stopping in front of me. His nostrils flare as he inhales deeply, followed by a quiet growl rumbling in his chest. He falls to his knees and wraps his hands around the backs of my thighs, holding me still while he buries his face between them and inhales again.
