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Yet, the moment he walked into the Montgomery clan house, they would know he wasn’t a vampire. It wasn’t something that Marcus could clearly explain. When out in the world surrounded by humans, he didn’t sense anything at all.
When he was in a house of vampires and one lone human walked in, it was like those predatory instincts slammed into overdrive. Fangs ached and his pulsed kicked up a tiny bit, beckoning him to hunt. To feed.
The collar put common sense back in the driver’s seat. Usually. It was a sign that the human belonged to someone. No biting unless invited. And Marcus would be damned if another set of fangs were getting anywhere close to Ethan.
“Don’t glare at me like that,” Ethan said in a huffy tone. “You’re the one that declared we were wearing straitjackets. I do have a pair of jeans without holes and a nice sweater.”
Marcus wiped away his dark look. “You look incredibly handsome.”
“But…?”
Reaching up, Marcus ran his finger along the collar, the tip bumping along the priceless gems.
“I’m not a pet,” Ethan reminded him. There was a sweet patience to his voice that made Marcus wonder how many more times they’d have this conversation in their lives together.
“But others will think—”
Ethan stepped into Marcus, lightly gripping the lapels of his jacket. “I don’t care what others think. Let them think I’m a pet. Let them imagine me naked on my hands and knees, eager to fulfill your every wish. Let them be jealous.” Ethan paused, his smile so wonderfully dirty. “They don’t need to know I’m the center of your universe or that my idea of a perfect night is leaning my head on your shoulder while you play the piano. Even if my butt does go numb on the hard bench.”
Marcus brushed a kiss against Ethan’s temple, starting to feel a little lighter. “I’ll order a padded bench for your poor rear end.”
“Good. You need to take care of my rear end.”
Before Marcus could reply about how he planned to take very good care of Ethan’s sweet ass, a loud crash echoed up from the first floor. Whatever made the noise was powerful enough to rock the house slightly, causing Ethan to reach for the closet doorframe.
“Stay here,” Marcus commanded, pointing at Ethan before he ran from the room. He hurried into the hall, which was filling with smoke. Through the gray cloud of smoke, he could make out shapes. People were pouring into his house. Again.
Bastards were attacking his house again!
How could they have found him already?
A soft coughing drew his attention from the hallway to Ethan leaning over the railing next to him, waving the smoke from his face.
Oh God, he had to get Ethan out of the house! Just standing there, he’d counted at least six people. They were horribly outnumbered, and he had no way of getting any of his brothers to his house in time to help. They were completely alone.
Roughly grabbing Ethan’s arm, Marcus’s pulled him down the hallway toward the back staircase. “You have to get out of here now.”
“What? I’m not leaving you.”
“You have to. We’re outnumbered. You have to head directly to Bel’s house. Do you have your phone on you?”
Ethan tried to dig his heels into the carpet to stop their progress, but Marcus was stronger and far more determined. “Yes, but I’m not leaving you alone.”
“I can’t win against them. We can’t.” Marcus stopped at the staircase and gripped both of Ethan’s shoulders tightly in his hands. “I am going to die tonight trying to keep them from getting their hands on you.”
“Marcus, no!”
“If you escape, I’ll simply act as a diversion. Stall them. If you get to Bel, you can come up with a plan to rescue me.”
Marcus watched Ethan’s face for the first sign of him wavering and took it. They couldn’t hesitate any longer. Marcus released Ethan and started silently down the stairs.
“Go directly for the Porsche. The keys are in the glove compartment,” Marcus instructed in a whisper before reaching the last stair. “If I escape, I’ll go to Bel’s.”
But Marcus didn’t plan to escape. The only way to escape was killing every last bastard in his home and he knew his odds were too slim for that. Besides, capture was the only way to discover who was behind these attempts on his life and the lives of his brothers. He wanted to get to the truth at last.
The kitchen was lit by only a work light over the stove, but it was enough to see that the attackers hadn’t reached that room yet. Thank God the house was so damn big. They were likely checking the front rooms and the second floor still.
He looked over his shoulder to see Ethan hesitating, worry filling his eyes. Marcus gave him a confident nod and pointed for the door that led to the garage. Ethan nodded sharply in return and started for the garage.
