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Chapter 20
HAYLEY
Alliances
I SINK MY teeth into Alexander’s throat, ripping and spitting his skin and filling my mouth with his blood. It tastes different than I remember, more bitter and less exhilarating. Tasting blood far superior to his has turned me into a bit of a blood snob, I guess.
Alexander snarls and punches both of his fists into my back, forcing the air to escape my lungs. I instinctively release him out of self-preservation. He can’t touch me again as Monroe rips me off Alexander and pulls me to him. I can’t control my nature, and I accidentally sink my teeth into Monroe next. He grunts and tightens his fingers in my hair, fisting it, but he doesn’t pull me away and lets me drink. The burning in my stomach is too much. I’m starving, and the stress and anxiety of this night clobbers my self-control. I need to be wild and savage. It’s the only way to survive. Alexander won’t accept my obedience. Not now. He’ll destroy me, knowing I can and will fight back.
“Get her out of here. I’ll take care of Alexander.” Lawrence darts past us and charges Alexander. “If you dare try to kidnap her or betray me, I will destroy you. Do you understand?”
No one responds to him. Not that we have to. His focus turns solely to Alexander. And with the start of their fight, more security personnel materialize around us, creating a circle. Of course, he came with backup. This is far more than his usual array of vampire security. I think he still has ties to some of the crews that weren’t allied with the Bella. The three vampires that came along with Lawrence back him up, tearing down vampire after vampire as Lawrence and Alexander blur in a fight.
“Stay together. Keep Hayley within our circle. We’re going back to the Bella.” Knox takes me from Monroe and positions me in his arms to where I hug him with my whole body, allowing his hands to be free in case we’re attacked.
Cooper stands by his side, allowing Monroe to lead the way and Sawyer to block us from behind. My heart pounds, the heavy beats rapping against my ribcage, threatening to break through it at any second. The edges of my vision shadow, and I can’t help wondering what’s truly happening. We expected a fight, but it was nothing like this. All I can hope for now is that maybe those two bastards do actually kill each other. But then again, they’re not the only threat. The leadership stands behind Alexander. They would inherit his hotel and disperse it accordingly if something were to happen to him. Or the rest of his mysterious coven brothers would take over. They could be worse. I still have a contract under the Aris Coven name. I’m his lifelong property, and they can do whatever they want with me. If it’s not one enemy, it’s another.
“Head to the south wall. Lawrence said there was an access tunnel there. Very few know about it, and it’s how he got in the first time. It’s guarded by a couple of Strip dwellers that ensure no one can enter or leave the city, but we can handle them. I think the leadership feeds them to ensure their loyalty.” Sawyer pulls out a gun from its holster and prepares to shoot to keep people at a distance. It’s not often he uses a gun because they don’t do much to vampires, but he’s willing to do anything right now.
“Those fuckers better be ready to negotiate with us or lose their fucking heads. I’m not in the mood for any more bullshit tonight. I just want to take our girl home. If we can get her there, we can protect her.” Monroe also pulls out a gun, aiming it forward as we round a pile of rubble next to the looming wall.
“Are you guys crazy? You can’t take her back to the Bella. They all know that’s exactly where you’ll go with her. If you want even a chance to keep Hayley safe and hidden, you’re going to need somewhere else. This city is fucking huge.” Cooper speaks up for the first time, turning to look at me.
No one responds to him right away. Everyone knows he’s right, because if they want to keep me forever, they’re going to have to give up the familiarity of their hotel until they can reach out to the Strip crews for back up. If they take me there now, Lawrence knows where to find us. He could just come in and start shit. Same with the leadership. It’s obvious that Alexander doesn’t plan to negotiate with anyone, and he’ll do whatever it takes to get me. I don’t know what his plans are, but the look on his face...he finally realizes what he’s dealing with. I’m not the same person he sold off at auction. I’m no longer a little weak, scared donor. I’m a dhampir and will devour every damn vampire I can. I bit off a guy’s finger for fuck’s sake. I realize now more than ever that I’ll do anything. I’ll be anyone I have to be.
If I’m going to survive, I need to fight harder. I need to be ruthless. I need to prove myself as a Bella Crew member. I can’t expect my guys to take care of me. I can’t expect the world to show me mercy. I need to get the world to bow down and beg me for mercy instead.
Starting now.
I spot the silhouette of a vampire darting from the wall, and I point him out to Monroe. He charges the bastard and stabs him in the gut, pushing him all the way back to the wall, slamming his head against it.
“Who runs the city access?” Monroe asks, his fangs peeking out from beneath his lip. “We need entrance without fighting. We would prefer not to destroy all of you.”
The vampire gnashes his teeth, trying to fight Monroe, except he’s not of the same power. But that doesn’t matter. A dozen more figures materialize around us, showing their numbers. There are only so many vampires even the most powerful can handle, which is why there is the leadership and the alliances keeping the covens in control safe.
“If we let you through, they’ll starve us. We can’t allow it.” This comes from a female vampire and the first one I’ve seen tonight. There are very few of them outside of the big hotels, and I can’t help wondering how she found herself a part of this group.
“We can provide blood for you. We’re from the Bella Crew, and if you help us, we’ll help you. That’s how shit works on the Strip.” Sawyer steps forward, taking his leadership position.
“You have nothing with you. How do we know you don’t want to just fuck us over?” The woman steps forward, leaving her group behind.
I clear my throat. I don’t know where I get the courage, but I know I must do something. We don’t have time to fight. We just need to go through. We need more people on our side.
Straightening my shoulders, I say, “I’ll let you all bite me and drink my blood if you let us through. It’ll hold you over until we can make arrangements.”
My guys tense around me, clearly shocked by my offer.
“We really don’t want to fight. Aren’t you tired of how the leadership treats you? We’re trying to change things. But you have to let us back in,” I add.
“You’re in no position to make such an offering, donor. By the looks on your master’s face, he clearly doesn’t want to share.” The woman continues to saunter closer, risking getting within a few feet of me.
Monroe has the nerve to chuckle. It sounds oddly musical in this moment. Of course, he would chuckle at her words. “She doesn’t belong to only one of us. I give you permission. If Hayley wants to let you bite her, that’s all her. But I swear if you hurt her or try to take more than you should, I’ll cut your tits off.” He jerks his attention to the guys of the group. “And don’t think I won’t cut your dicks. I owe someone a cock bouquet.”
“Fucking asshole,” Sawyer mutters under his breath. “You’re going to get your ass fucking beat for this.”
I wiggle from Knox’s arms, forcing him to let me go. “This is my decision, Sawyer. We need to get through. We need more alliances. If we have an alliance with these guys, they can help us. This is one of the few accesses that isn’t heavily guarded by the leadership.”
Knox stays by my side and locks his fingers through mine. “Listen to vixen. She has a point.”
