40

She nodded and cleared her throat as she patted her hair back into place. “Got it.”

I broke into a jog as I headed toward the high roller room. Damage control. Shit. Had the main door to the casino been closed soon enough? Locked? I fucking hoped so. I couldn’t allow anyone out onto the streets with tales of a vampire on the loose in my casino.

Okay, so chances were, no one would believe a day-drinking gambler, but there were always people who followed up on shit like this, and the red-topped tabloids that printed the stories. It would always be too big a risk to take.

Shit.

Valérie had been right. The room where the vampire had attacked his victims was a bloodbath. Red blood spatter stretched from floor to ceiling, and the four dead victims lay brokenly over tables and chairs. A group of survivors huddled in the corner of the room, and I made my way over to them, already talking in my most soothing voice.

It was going to be a long fucking day.

12

Leia

A

imée’s eyes widened. “Some fucker sent you a head?”

She’d already asked that question about four times, and every time she voiced it afresh, I swallowed a new wave of nausea.

Lettie’s eyes would haunt me forever. I touched my pendant then held it in my fist. The crystal charms on my bracelet swayed gently with my movement.

“Holy fuck, woman. And a vampire went crazy in La Petite Mort? I guess Nicky needs to avoid take-his-mate-to-work days in the future, if that’s the effect you have on the place.”

She laughed, but I couldn’t join in.

“It was pretty awful.” A shudder worked through me. Those eyes. I just couldn’t stop seeing them.

She grabbed my hand. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make light of it. I just can’t believe they’d be so…bold. I mean, that’s not just in Nicky’s backyard. That’s right in his house while his fucking wife’s home, you know?”

I grinned, a ridiculous flicker of warmth racing through my chest at the fact she’d pretty much just called me Nic’s wife.

“But don’t worry,” she continued. “I’m sure Nic has a plan to keep you safe.”

Okay, so guilt extinguished the warmth. I hated that Nic had to take extra effort to keep me safe.

“Tell you what.” Aimée stretched her legs out and rested her feet on the footstool. “Let’s turn that frown of yours upside down.”

“More movies? More popcorn? I’m not even sure even I can manage any more popcorn, Aimée, and usually popcorn can get me to do anything.”

She laughed. “No, nothing like that. And no more walks around the grounds or exploring the attic, either.” She shivered. “Too many spiders.”

“What then? I can’t handle any more food than I already eat. Nic’s going to have start rolling me to bed at night if I keep eating everything Chef cooks.” I sighed dramatically.

Aimée laughed again. “No… no more food. But how would you feel about a night out on the town?”

I groaned. “You mean fixing some speakers to my phone and dancing in the biggest room we can find?” I smoothed my thumb over the velvety pile of the couch. “I’m not up for another pathetic disco for two.” I shot her a quick glance. “No offense.”

She raised an eyebrow, and a corner of her mouth tilted up. “None taken. But no, not another pathetic disco for two. I think I can break you out of this joint on good behavior.”

“What?” Part of it sounded too good to be true, but anxiety buzzed along each of my nerves. “But I just went out, and that didn’t work out too well, right?”

She nudged me. “Well, if I’d have been there, I’d have kept you safe. That’s pretty much why I’m here. Your own personal bodyguard. Because…” She trailed off and looked away. “Because you’re human,” she finished.

“Yeah, I am.” I shrugged, ignoring her implication, pretending I didn’t see her point that if I was vampire instead, I wouldn’t be bringing these problems right to our door… to Nic’s door.

“But I can still take you out? Please?” She wheedled the last word, and I shrugged.

“I don’t think Nic’s going to let me go anywhere, do you?” But even as I protested, going out sounded good.

I’d never really been out. Not with a guy, not with a girl, although I’d seen plenty of people come out to The Pour House, while I was working and serving all the drinks and cleaning up all the good times at the end of the night.

“Where’s Nicky right now?” She stood and clapped her hands together once then looked at me expectantly.

“Uh, I guess in his war room?” It wasn’t really a war room. It was just his office at home, but he often sequestered himself in there with Sebastian and Jason or Kyle or whichever of those guys was around on any given day.

She snorted derisively. “I bet they’re in there plotting all kinds of military maneuvers. Well, I can just let Nicky know that I’m taking you out tonight, and he needn’t worry.”

I let my head drop back onto the cushions behind me. “Yeah. Let me know how that goes.” Maybe I’d be good with just spending the day in Nic’s library instead.

“Come on.” She took my hand and tugged me to standing. “We’re going to see Nicky.”

She led me to Nic’s office and knocked loudly on the door. “Oh, little pig,” she called. “Please let me in.”

The door cracked open, and Jason peered out. When he saw me beside Aimée, he opened the door fully. “They’re both out here, Nic.” He glanced over his shoulder. “What do you want me to do?”

Aimee shoved past him and drew me after her. “You got a bouncer now, Nicky? I only wanted to ask you a question.”