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“It’s always a gift when my sons come home to visit,” Amaros said, taking control of the conversation. “And this time, they brought a lovely guest. This is Kali. You might not be able to smell her blood right now, but she’s human.”
I eyed the vampires around the table. Some were staring openly at Kali with curiosity on their faces. A couple wore raw looks of hunger as they studied her. Kali shifted in her seat, keeping her gaze in front of her and looking at my brothers.
“If you haven’t already noticed, she’s wearing Zan’s necklace,” Amaros continued, his voice turning dangerous. “She is his. Not a human to feed on or touch. I want it known to everyone here that you all are to leave her alone.”
All eyes immediately averted from her, but that didn’t ease my worry. My father’s words were pointless. There was no way I would be letting Kali out of my sight while we were here. Most vampires followed everything my father said, but it didn’t matter. I trusted none of them when it came to her. My brothers were the only ones in this house I could fully trust.
“Leave,” Amaros demanded to everyone. “I want to talk to my sons.”
Chairs scraped across the wooden floor as the vampires rushed to follow his order. I dropped my hand to Kali’s thigh, making sure she stayed. My father noticed but didn’t comment on it as we waited for everyone to leave. The humans were climbing out of the pool, wrapping towels around their naked bodies before they scurried out of the room. Once it was silent, Amaros leaned back in the large chair and crossed his arms.
“Kali, please go enjoy a drink.” Amaros nodded to the bar area that was next to the pool.
He was dismissing her. Whatever he wanted to talk about, he didn’t want her listening.
“Go,” I said under my breath, lifting my hand from her leg.
Her body was tense, but she didn’t argue. Or say anything at all. She was attempting to keep it hidden, but her discomfort was palpable. She hated being here. I couldn’t blame her. She barely tolerated my city. I couldn’t imagine what was going through her head now that she was on this property.
Kali stood up and made her way across the room. She didn’t pour herself a drink, but stood in front of the window and just watched the sun rise.
“Tomorrow night, I want you to go to the Pen,” Amaros told me quietly. “I’m guessing you want Kali to stay with you. Which is fine. I want you to bring her.”
I managed to keep the shock to myself. “Why?”
“Curiosity,” he murmured, not giving me an answer.
“You never want me to bring anyone else in there,” I said with a frown. “Not even Pax or Viggo.”
The Pen was in the back of the property and was just as highly guarded as this house. I’d been going there ever since I transitioned. My father’s plans for me were more than just having a Kane heir. Though his idea for the Pen was still a work in progress. One I thought was a lost cause. But I didn’t question his decision about it. Taking Kali there, though? Not something I wanted to do at all. I knew I’d have to go there while we were here, but I planned to have her stay with Pax and Viggo while I went. It wasn’t safe for her.
“I want her to go,” Amaros said again, a dark edge to his voice. “Is that a problem?”
“No,” I gritted out.
“Good.” He snagged one of Viggo’s cigarettes out of the pack that was lying on the table. “Then we prepare. In five days, we’re going into Project Peace.”
Unease rocked me as I took in his words. Viggo didn’t reveal any emotion, but Pax couldn’t help himself when he shot our father a frown.
“Now?” Pax asked, unable to keep the distaste out of his voice. “I thought we were waiting.”
“We’ve been waiting,” Amaros snapped. “It’s time to act. I want the three of you with me.”
My eyes cut to Kali, who was still looking out the window. Fuck me. If she even got a hint of what we were planning, she’d try to run. And if Amaros expected me to go, how the hell would I keep her safe here? We should have brought Gia to help watch her, but we needed someone in Deadwood to keep everything under control.
“How’s it going with her?” my father asked, following my gaze. “Have you mated yet?”
“No,” I answered with a shrug. “It’s not time yet. When I feel it, you’ll be the first to know.”
Amaros let out a booming laugh. “No, I expect she’ll be the first to know. I want you to fuck her the second it happens.”
The smile on my face felt fake as hell, but I doubted my father could tell. It was the only one I’d given him in years.
“I think the two of you should stay here until that happens.” His words had my stomach clenching. “More protection from PARA. They already got into your city once. They might try to take her if they realize she’s important to us.”
Me. She was important to me. She wasn’t family business, even though that’s what Amaros seemed to have in his head. I bit my tongue, forcing myself to swallow that thought. My argument wouldn’t help.
“Deadwood is protected,” Viggo spoke up after taking a puff from his cigarette. “She’s perfectly fine there with us.”
