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Sylvie pulls away, speeding down the empty street, and I slide my phone out of my pocket to text Brighton so she can let me into her building.
I type,I’mhere, but before I can hit send, I’m grabbed from behind, and my phone goes flying, smashing against the concrete. I don’t have a chance to yell as I’m dragged from the sidewalk, down the space between Brighton’s building at the one next to hers. I try to scream, but the hand clamped over my mouth muffles the sound, and the next thing I know, I’m being shoved into the back of a black SUV. My head smacks one of the tinted windows, making me cry out in pain as my vision blurs from the impact.
Finally, my vision rights itself, and I find myself staring into an unfamiliar silver gaze.
I blink hard, my heart slamming against my ribcage as dread coils in my stomach, and my voice cracks as I say, “Dante?”
“Sleep.”
* * *
Awareness creeps in as I pry my eyes open, and the first thing I see is a massive fireplace with crackling flames. Soft jazz music fills the space along with the faint scent of lavender. I try to look around without moving or alerting my captor that I’m awake.
I quickly come to the conclusion that I’ve been brought to a fancy penthouse. I’m sprawled on a couch next to a coffee table where a large candle is burning, which is likely where the lavender scent is coming from. The windows on either side of the fireplace show a darkening sky outside and are draped in heavy gray curtains.
Holding my breath, I peek over the back of the couch and exhale when I don’t see the vampire that grabbed me off the street.
My pulse spikes.He found me.And the guys won’t know I’m in trouble because I lied about where I was going. Not that I want to be around any of them right now, but if the alternative is the psycho vampire that’s been hunting me because of some ridiculous claim he believes to have over me, I’ll take the evil I somewhat know over the one I don’t at all.
Either way, things really aren’t looking good for me.
I crawl off the couch, tiptoeing around the large, open room. Everything is neutral tones, mostly white with gray accents, and a little feminine. On the other side of the couch is a long dining table with chairs on one side and a bench on the other. There’s an ornate mirror hung on the wall behind the table, making the space appear even bigger, and a crystal chandelier hung above it. I fight the urge to scoff at all of it. I’ve gotten used to fancy living quarters living with the guys, but this is next-level.
“I’m glad to see you’re finally awake.”
My stomach plummets, and I whirl around to find the vampire who grabbed me off the street. His black hair is slicked back, accentuating the sharp angles of his sun-kissed face. He’s dressed as if he just came from a business meeting, in a navy collared button-up, black slacks, and shiny black dress shoes. He’s staring at me with a glint of interest in his eyes that makes me want to vomit all over the marble floor at my feet.
He tilts his head, sensing my discomfort, and a slow smile curls his lips. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Calla.”
I swallow the lump in my throat. “I’m sure you can understand why the feeling isn’t mutual,” I force out. “Dante.”
He chuckles deeply and steps toward me.
I reel back, bumping into the bench at the dining table. “W-what do you want from me?”
Dante sighs. “Must we discuss that right now? I’d would much rather enjoy some time together first. You’ve captured the attention of some very powerful vampires, Calla. Color me intrigued.”
My eyes narrow. “Jealous much?”
“What is it about you that convinced them to let you live?” he muses aloud.
I clench my jaw to keep from saying something I might regret. Which is becoming more difficult every time this guy opens his mouth. “Why exactly do you want me dead?” I ask instead.
“An eye for an eye,” he says. “It’s nothing personal. You see, I got screwed over when those boys of yours intervened in my business all those years ago.”
I blink at that, faintly wondering how old the vampire in front of me is. He appears older than the guys, which I imagine would be determined by the age he was when he was turned—if he was turned. In human years, he looks to be in his mid-thirties. Vampire years, though? I don’t want to think about it. “Yourbusinessthat could’ve cost my ancestor his life.”
He shrugs. “We all make choices. He made the decision to go into business with certain people, and instead of facing the consequences of that, he got bailed out.”
I cross my arms over my chest and straighten my posture in an attempt to trick myself into believing I’m not terrified of this guy. “He’s dead,” I say flatly. “Why should I have to face the consequences of something I wasn’t even involved in?”
Dante purses his lips before they twist into a smirk. “You try that one with Atlas?” He shakes his head before allowing me an opportunity to respond. “How about Gabriel? He’s always had a soft spot for beautiful humans.”
My stomach twists painfully at his words. I don’t want to think about Gabriel—or any of the guys—with another human.
Wait, what?
When didthathappen?
