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“He’s right, Sawyer. We’ve been through enough today.” Tatum twists her lips to the side. “This asshole doesn’t want to relent.”
My chest tightens as tension grows between everyone. I open and close my mouth, trying to summon my nerve. I could cry and beg for them to not give in to the impatient bastard, but another part of me fears the repercussions. What if this guy from Alibur decides to punish me the second we’re alone? What if he does it just for spite? It was obvious at the auction that the Bella Crew wanted me. I’ve now turned into a prize others think is fun to fight over only because they can.
“Monroe.” My voice hitches, the sound of his name on my lips hoarse. “I think it’s better to let him take me.” Tears burn my eyes, and panic grows and grows, expanding through my body like it’ll burst free and splatter my insides across the floor.
“It’s not his time yet. If we give the douche even a few extra minutes, he’ll keep trying to take more until he starts showing up in the middle of the day.” Sawyer glances at me and turns toward the security feed showing a strangely familiar man out front, standing between two giant beast-like statues under the unlit carport. I haven’t seen it in the day, but I’m sure it had once been grand. Now, graffiti covers everything and the windows of the skylight have been shattered.
“He’s right,” Monroe says, hiding his lips in a thin line. “He’s testing us because he can.”
But what if it’s more?
I can’t ignore the fear roiling in my chest. “Please, can’t you compromise? I’m scared. You don’t understand. He can hurt me.”
Knox reaches to me and squeezes my shoulder. “We won’t let hi—”
Sawyer and Monroe growl in unison, flexing and rippling in anger. I tense, spotting Walcott materializing at the door in the security feed, going against Sawyer and letting the vampire from Alibur in.
“What the fuck does he think he’s doing? I’m going to fucking kill him.” Sawyer strides a few feet before Tatum blocks his way.
She holds her palms up, flashing her fangs. “Sawyer, listen. You heard Hayley. You know tension is high. If she’s scared and willing to go early, you need to let her. Monroe might have his name on some fucked up contract, but we don’t own donors here and you know it. There is no price when we manage to trade or pick them off the streets. You bought a day of her freedom and not fucking her.”
Tatum fists her hands, straightening her back, though Sawyer still towers over her by a foot or more. Monroe sucks in deep breaths, trying to control himself. Knox looks ready to throw punches at anyone in the vicinity of him.
“Aw, well. Look at this gorgeous donor. You’re even prettier than your picture.” The smooth voice feels as if it steals the air from the room. Everyone turns toward the older man, at least in his late-forties with graying hair at his temples. It’s been a while since I’ve seen a vampire transformed at his age, and I can’t stop from staring until he smiles at me.
My instincts scream, clenching my muscles. It’s not because he’s threatening me, but he carries the same presence as Alexander and even his coven brothers. His designer suit fits his average frame, and a diamond sparkles on a ring on his finger.
Sawyer steps in his path and blocks his way. He releases a warning growl, wiping the smile from the man’s face. “Let it be known that today is the only day we will allow you to pull this arriving early bullshit. You damn well know the contract agreement. If you pull this bullshit again—”
“Settle down. I’m not your enemy. I take pride in my possessions and assure you that this marvelous donor will find great joy being in the care of the Alibur. Our clientele is...different than what you find elsewhere. I know the rules and limitations. I was also warned about the possibility of hostility from you.” The man proffers his hand to Sawyer. “I give you my word that Hayley Aris will be well taken care of. Now, if you’d excuse me, I’d like to greet the Alibur’s new donor queen performer.”
Sawyer growls again, but Tatum snatches the back of his shirt and stops him from trying to intercept the man. He struts closer, only stopping a foot away from me and Monroe. I keep my eyes trained toward the floor, afraid to look at him again. Head down. Don’t speak. Obey. The rules I’ve been following all my life swirl through my mind.
“Beautiful Hayley,” the vampire murmurs, leaning in without touching me. “It’ll be a great joy having you around.”
Darting out his hand, the vampire surprises everyone by snapping a metal collar on my neck. Growls and snarls echo through the quiet lobby. Figures blur closer, more and more Bella Crew members closing around us. Even with the two-dozen or so quiet vampires, the man remains smiling and unfazed.
“What the fuck?” Monroe grabs the metal collar, trying to unlatch it, but it auto-locks in place.
“This is only a precaution. It doesn’t harm the donor.” Extending his hand, he wiggles his fingers. “Now, if you’ll please release her, I’d like to go. Do not make me call Alex.”
I blink a few times at the way he says Alexander’s name. Only Opal ever called him that nickname. No one on the Strip would dare call him anything other than Aris, Master Aris, or Mr. Aris. Even me thinking his name without his title is inappropriate.
Walcott jabs a small knife into Monroe’s shoulder, forcing him to loosen his hold. If Govan didn’t intervene, the two of them would’ve broken into a fight. I clench my jaw, touching my feet to the cool tile. My knees shake, the fear swelling bigger and bigger inside me.
I don’t make it a foot toward the vampire before Sawyer stops me. Leaning in, he whispers, “I need you to try to be brave. We will follow this fucker and make sure you get there safe. The Alibur is open to the public, so we won’t leave either. Just stay calm. You can do this.” It almost sounds like he whispers the words to himself.
I stretch up and kiss him, not caring if the man growls. An electric shock zings across my neck, startling me, and I gasp at the sudden burst of pain.
“Your time is up. Hayley, it’s time to go.” The vampire snatches my wrist, tugging me away from Sawyer. Lifting me into his arms, he carries me through the entrance and to an idling car, rumbling with a strange noise. The cars I’ve heard so far on the Strip, including the limo, were silent. Electric powered. But this one? It’s from the back-world.
“It’s an antique,” he says like he can read my mind. “There aren’t many around. I paid a steep price for this one, but not as much as I paid to get you.” Opening the driver’s side door, he sets me onto the front seat. “I’m Lawrence, by the way. My sister has told me so much about you.”
I jerk my attention to look up at him, but the man slams the door and slides behind the wheel of the vehicle. Something is wrong. So incredibly wrong. I reach for the door handle, but it doesn’t open.
“Settle down. If you make a scene, you will be very unhappy with the consequences, my heir.” Lawrence smirks at me. “I’ve always known Alex would fail to realize what he had created. When my dear little sister Opal told me, I couldn’t believe it. My very own blood sister was a caretaker to a dhampir. If only she was stronger. But don’t worry, Hayley. You will never be Ruby Vixen. I won’t let my sister’s hard work go to waste.”
A what? My head spins with his words. I’m so confused. He called Opal his little sister. Blood sister. That means that they were born as sibling donors. My stomach twists in panic the more I think about it. Ignoring his demand to settle down, I slap my hands to the glass and scream.
