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“I didn’t fail!” Velvet Rose screeches, getting to her feet and grabbing her knife from the floor.
Sawyer shifts my hair again, teasing me with his fangs, knowing that half the crowd still watches us in anticipation. He won’t allow the commotion to break his current performance, his acting skills better than I knew they were.
“The anticipation is killing me,” I whisper, encouraging him to proceed.
I dig my fingers into his legs as he sinks his fangs into me, and I try not to react with a moan, though the fact that he does it so sensually, easing away to lick and kiss the spot turns me on. I don’t want people to know I enjoy being bitten by him. I don’t want to give them any ideas. It wouldn’t be the first time someone has tried to just take a bite. I already know they expect as much. I’ll be on one of those tables soon enough because of Lawrence, but I’ll put it off as long as possible. I know Sawyer will too. The fight unfolding between Killer and the performing donor is my saving grace. It’s another distraction I can use to prepare myself better for what’s to come.
Killer screams out a war call, using her vampire speed to circle the donor, causing her to spin on her feet as she tries to determine which direction Killer will attack her from. The crowd taunts Velvet Rose, misleading her. A part of me wants to feel bad, but she brought this upon herself.
“Put her in her place!” a man shouts.
Another man whistles. “Eat her heart out!”
Lawrence rubs his hands together, getting between Killer and Velvet Rose, grabbing the two of them by their hair. “Now, now. That kind of afterparty performance costs extra.”
Whistling, a vampire raises her hand. She might be the only female patron at the party. “Five percent of my rations!”
I blink a few times, listening in shock as the crowd offers part of their blood stipends to Lawrence as if he needs anymore.
Lawrence rubs his chin, grinning.
“I’ll give you this bitch. But watch out. She’s not easy.” A muscular vampire drags an older gagged woman by her feet and tosses her toward Lawrence. “Sickly.”
Lawrence claps his hands again. “Sold! You may thank this gentleman for the show.” Turning to Killer, Lawrence adds, “Get to it. Give the crowd what they want, Killer Kassandra! Eat her heart out.”
“No!” Velvet screams, spinning to look for an escape. But there’s no point. She’s a dead woman already.
Sawyer touches my chin, pulling my attention to him. “Face me, Violet,” he commands, using my stage name. “I want your sole attention.” He obviously doesn’t want me to watch the fight.
I ignore him, twisting more. I search the crowd, spotting Monroe and Knox standing nearby. Not far behind them, I see Cooper sitting up on the table with a bite on his thigh, and I can’t help my frown. Why is he on a donor table? And then I realize that some of the vampires take the other donors to drink from him, healing them so they can consume as much as they like.
Fuck. This is so twisted.
Everything is fucked.
Velvet screams again, her voice stinging my ears. “Please—”
Sawyer spins me around, covering my ears at the same time he kisses me. I try to pull away until his big hand slides down my back, pulling my body even closer. Slipping his tongue into my mouth, he kisses me with such passion that I can’t ignore his need to protect me.
I comb my fingers into his dark hair, sitting up higher on my knees, enjoying the taste of his mouth. I savor the softness of his lips and how safe I feel in his arms despite the chaotic horrors unfolding around me. I love how in this moment the world is fighting and at war, but it doesn’t get to me in the safety of Sawyer’s arms.
“Kill her!” a man yells, his voice trying to snatch my attention.
But nothing can steal me from Sawyer.
At least, not until my shock collar buzzes and electrocutes me, stealing my breath and making me scream in pain. Sawyer growls and stands up. The world blurs around me, making my teary eyes water more. He flies at Lawrence and snatches the com device from his hand, not allowing him to shock me again.
“She’s behaving. You know our agreement.” Sawyer flashes his fangs and squeezes the com device so hard that it crumbles within his fingers, the pieces of metal and plastic and glass raining toward the floor.
Lawrence surprises me by remaining expressionless yet silver flashes in his eyes. I think if the crowd wasn’t focused elsewhere, he would react. He would probably punch Sawyer’s heart out if he could.
“You were showing your possessiveness too much. I have guests here who want to feed on her tonight. It’s imperative that we allow it, especially if we need more alliances to overthrow the leadership of La Vega.” Lawrence flares his nostrils, his muscles rippling under his suit. He’s not built like anyone in the Bella Crew, but I know he is just as strong. “You need to understand one thing. I’m allowing you to be with Hayley, but she also has duties. She must maintain an appearance as one of my donors. If anyone were to find out—”
Sawyer leans in, growling deep in his throat. “No more collars.” The demand jabs into me, and if I were Lawrence, I’d be afraid. Sawyer isn’t kidding.
Lawrence remains silent, and it takes everything in me not to look at him. “Then you must come up with another idea to ensure her safety. You have no idea what anyone here is capable of. We’re not welcome in La Vega for a reason.”
Sawyer adjusts me in his arms. “I will ensure it. She doesn’t need a collar when she has me and my crew. Understand?”
