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Julian raised a brow. Marek shook his head in a “don’t ask” gesture and ordered, “Reschedule all my meetings for the next three days.”
“Yes, sir.”
Julian’s big frame dwarfed the chair. “You need a bigger office.”
“Funny. I was just thinking that. What did you want to talk about?”
Julian’s solemn expression gave nothing away. The reason for his visit could range from Hunters organizing a full-blown attack on Vegas to needing an idea for Leah’s birthday present.
“Now that you found your mate, have you changed your mind about leading the CDI?” Julian asked, his Arctic eyes missing nothing.
Ah. He was concerned Marek no longer wished to risk his life now he had someone to live for.
Marek leveled a cold look at the other male. “You didn’t give up your position when you mated Leah.”
Julian looked troubled, a rare sight. “No, but I think about it more than I’d like. I worry about her safety, about those who would use her against me.”
“Are you going soft on us?” Though his tone was light, Marek’s heart twisted at the notion of Olivia in danger.
He’d have to leave her for a few days. No way on earth was he bringing Olivia to Denver. His vampire shredded his insides, loathing the act of leaving its unclaimed mate. Good thing Marek was in charge, not the primal vampire. Olivia would be safest in Vegas, especially if she stayed inside with Betsy like she was wont to do.
Sascha still hadn’t found anything to explain why the Hunters tried to grab her back in LA. Those two Hunters might have told Olivia the truth. Maybe they really were sent by Zylotech and were trying to save an employee from vampires.
Something told Marek there was more to the story, though.
A growl from Julian snapped him back to the present. “I won’t let anything happen to her, or to Vegas.”
Goosebumps covered his arms, but Marek was experienced at suppressing his fear.
“And I am the same,” Marek said, holding Julian’s stony gaze to show he meant it. “You and I protected Vegas since its infancy and shaped it into the city it is today. Our kind has thrived under our protection, but the Organization has also grown and adjusted its methods. I will never forget the sight of those vampires chained to the table like animals.” His fingers dug into the chair’s armrest as impotent fury filled him.
“I won’t abandon them just because I’ve found my mate. One day, I may be forced to choose between Olivia and our people, but that is not today. So no, I’m not giving up my position. I will still devote all my time and effort to rescuing any missing vampires and destroying the Organization.”
Silence.
When Julian spoke three heartbeats later, his tone was low and admiring. “We are lucky to have you, Marek. You’ve a clear head for someone who hasn’t claimed his mate.”
Marek scoffed. “Unlike you, I’m good at compartmentalizing.”
“Don’t compartmentalize too much. The needs of the mating bond will find a way to knock down whatever walls you build around it.”
“I’ll take that under advisement,” Marek said.
Julian nodded and stood up. “Also, don’t work Leah too hard.”
Marek smiled. “As if I dare. I do still value my life.”
After Julian’s departure, Marek checked up with Sascha and Leah to ensure things were going smoothly before leaving the office. He’d meet up with the team at the airport in an hour, but first he had to see Olivia.
The anticipation of being with Olivia again buoyed his steps and lightened the weight over his chest. The Organization had been smarter this time. Rowan hadn’t hidden his nature, instead roaming Denver by himself, yet no Hunters had approached or attempted to kidnap him. Had his enemy caught onto their trick from last time?
He shouldn’t jump the gun and go to Denver immediately. Perhaps he should wait a few more days while Rowan and House Mahal observed the building. Yet, it’d been close to a week since the first missing vampires were reported. The image of those vampires suffering when he had the power to free them gnawed at his insides.
Yet, if he rushed in recklessly and things went sideways?
Nothing will go wrong.He wasn’t going to charge in blind without a plan and unnecessarily risk his team’s lives.
Or his own life, for that matter.
