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Knox and Monroe realize I’m not going to say anything else, and Monroe helps me get into the dress and zips it up from behind. It accentuates my curves, the low-cut bodice showing off my cleavage. It covers more than a lot of the costumes I wore for Vampire Nights, but I still feel incredibly sexy and exposed.
“I almost forgot the most important thing,” Monroe says, holding up a holster with a knife sheath. He straps it to my thigh like a garter belt. He doesn’t try to hide it or anything, making it clear to anyone who looks at me that I’m armed. Not that they would think much of it. I’m better off just staying between Knox and Monroe anyway.
Someone bangs on the door, startling me, and none of us has the chance to move as it flies open and clatters against the wall. Lawrence stands in the doorframe, his face twisted with annoyance, and I take an automatic step back as he dangles a collar and leash from his fingers.
I shake my head, holding my hands up in defense. “Please, no.”
Monroe gets between us and growls. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing? You can’t just come in here uninvited, dangling a damn collar that should be intended only for fucking animals at my girl.”
Lawrence rushes Monroe, grabbing the front of a shirt and overpowering him by jamming a knife into his side. Unlike Sawyer, Lawrence doesn’t even humor Monroe. I know that Knox and Sawyer have more influence with the Bella Crew, but they treat Monroe as an equal. Seeing Lawrence treat him as less than pisses me off.
Knox grabs my hand, stopping me from trying to start something I can’t win. There’s no point in yelling at Lawrence. I don’t know what I’m even thinking. I really need to smarten up when it comes to him and learn to separate my attitude between how I am with the Bella Crew and how I am with everyone else.
“She will wear it as all of the donors do. Do not make me grab another one to put around you. This is for her safety. It has a tracker in it and will ensure she stays in complete control. I cannot risk her lashing out at any of my guests.” Lawrence flashes his fangs and punches Monroe so hard that he falls to his knees, heaving a breath.
Fuck.
“Stop! Please! I’ll put on the collar. Don’t hurt him. He’s just protective of me.” I strut forward and pull my wig from my neck, straightening my shoulders to face Lawrence head-on. I refuse to let him see me afraid of him. I’ll do what it takes to protect Monroe and Knox. If wearing a collar is what I have to do, then I’ll fucking do it.
“That’s my good heir.” Lawrence kicks Monroe one more time, keeping him down, and then he spins toward me and hooks the shock collar around my neck. “Let this be a lesson. She’ll obey me regardless of what you want. You’ve given me a better hand at things, because now all it takes is threatening you to get her to comply.”
No. No, no, no. This is not what I wanted. I just need things to stop. I want to go back to the Bella and not be the downfall of my guys because they’ll do anything to protect me. They’ve had long lives, and I’m just a...I guess I’m not a donor. It’s still hard for me to think otherwise, even though my vision turns red with my anger, and I have to dig my fingernails into my palms to keep myself from trying to lash out at Lawrence. If I do, he will shock me. He’ll probably shock me so much that I blackout. I’m not immune to pain. I think I’m more susceptible.
“I’ll do whatever. You were right. I just want to be with them. I don’t care about anything else.” I inhale slow breaths with my words, trying to keep my voice from shaking.
I expect Monroe and Knox to argue, but they remain silent. They want to do something by the sharp features of their expressions, but they won’t. I have silently demanded they stand down and let me handle the situation without even having to tell them. It’s like they can read my mind. We must pick our battles, like Sawyer has said before, and this isn’t one of them. I’ve been through worse.
“Very good. I have had a couple of guests, quite powerful ones if I might add, and they have requested a taste of your blood. I hope you don’t have a problem with that, Violent Violet.” Lawrence smirks with his words, turning his attention to grin at Monroe and Knox.
I bob my head. “I don’t mind. I’m used to it.”
One look at my guys proves that they’re not. They’re far from okay with what happens, and I don’t know what to expect. What if they decide to try to take down The Whiskey?
No, Sawyer will handle it. He’ll smooth things over. Until then, I just need to be a complacent donor.
Lawrence tugs me by the leash, guiding me out of the room and into the hallway. Monroe and Knox remain nearby, but Lawrence doesn’t let them surround me like they want, parading me onto the empty elevator and to the casino.
It’s far more packed than the last time I saw it, and I bow my head, staring at the floor.
“Hey, Vi! Violet!” a vampire calls out. “Hey, Lawrence! I’ll give you a donor to force her to the floor and crawl. Let me see up her dress. Come on. Give us a show.”
Lawrence doesn’t react, ignoring the guy.
I release a breath. I thought he might comply, but he’s far more concerned with whoever waits for us at the afterparty to humor the casino dwellers.
We reach the back of the casino, where a crowd of people hang out in what used to be a human bar before the Vampire Uprising. Several vampires grin and catcall me, and Lawrence tugs me to a halt.
“Give the audience a smile, Violet. Show them you’re happy for their attention.” Lawrence jerks my collar, forcing me to react.
A vampire materializes in front of me. “Mmmm. Pretty girl. Why don’t you give us something better? Perhaps a taste?”
Lawrence shakes his head. “You’ll have to negotiate with the king of the hour. He has won his choice of the first bite of this delectable Blood Princess.”
“Damn-fucking-straight. Bring her to me.” Sawyer’s voice echoes through the air.
I stare in shock as he stands near a throne, placing his hands on his hips. Shoving me in the back, Lawrence pushes me forward hard enough to stumble in his direction. I cringe and cower, one look in Sawyer’s eyes igniting my human fear instincts. But he doesn’t yank me up or put on a show.
Swinging his arms over my head, he grabs another vampire by the neck and cracks the asshole’s head on the floor. Blood sprays across my feet, and I stare in shock as the guy passes out. It’s not a death blow, but it’s enough to incapacitate him.
