44

I touched his shoulder as I walked by. “Thank you, Jason.”

“Anything for you and my queen,” he murmured before opening the bathroom door to allow me to carry Leia through.

She remained quiet, although she twined her arms around my neck as her body relaxed against mine.

I hurried through the nightclub and out of the back door, finding Jenkins already waiting in the alley, the engine to the limo purring as he waited. He jumped out and scurried around to open the door so I could lower Leia to the seat. I leaned over to buckle her in then closed the door to follow Jenkins back around the car and climb in beside her.

I let my hand lie on the seat between us, hoping that this time she might accept it. Not like the ride home after Sebastian’s attack on her.

Fuck. I shook my head and looked out of the window. Everyone wanted to hurt her or kill her. And it was because she was mine and too fair, too fragile, too human.

I had to turn her. For her own safety and because I…I couldn’t keep coming so close to losing her. My heart wouldn’t survive it.

Her fingers crept into my palm and I glanced down, closing my hand around her gentle touch, keeping her close.

“Are you hungry?” I murmured. She hadn’t spoken since we left, and she was still too pale. When she didn’t respond right away, I spoke directly to Jenkins instead. “Next fast food place, please Jenkins.”

He nodded and slowed the car almost immediately. The limo was a little big for the drive-thru lane, so I jumped out and ran inside. Shit, I never came into these places. I studied the menu. So many choices, so many numbers. I ordered everything, one through ten, then carried it back out to the car with the help of one of the servers.

Jenkins chuckled when he saw me. “Really, sir. You’re as bad as Chef.”

“I didn’t know what she’d like.” I scratched my head as I spoke, and Jenkins chuckled again.

“That’s what Chef always says.”

“Don’t you dare tell him we’ve been here.” I issued the warning with mock severity, but Jenkins replied with bland seriousness.

“Of course not, sir. He’d forgive you a lot, but I’m not sure that feeding Miss Boucher fast food is on that list.” He nodded at me once in the rearview mirror before he steered the car in the direction of home again.

I spent the remainder of the journey hand-feeding Leia French fries and small bites of cheeseburger.

“I can feed myself, you know.” Her voice was grouchy, but amusement lit her eyes for a moment. “I’m done being the damsel every time a monster attacks me. Now I’m just mad about it.” She squared her shoulders.

I chuckled. “I like feeding you. It makes me feel useful.”

A small tremor of delight ran through me every time my fingertips brushed her lips, but I clamped down on my body’s reaction to her.

When her eyes twinkled a little as her tongue touched my thumb, I sucked in a sharp breath.

“You’re a tease, woman,” I ground out.

“I just need something.” She closed her eyes in a long blink. “Something that isn’t more death.”

“Anything.” And I meant it. I’d do anything she wanted. Any time. I’d vanquish all her enemies, give her immortal life, make her mine forever, and give myself to her… If only she’d say that was what she wanted.

But it wasn’t something I could discuss with her tonight. Her emotional state was probably too fragile to fully understand the consequences of the decision. It could look like manipulation on my part, and I wouldn’t sully a turning like that. Not the turning of a mate.

Still, two could tease, and the next time I offered her a fry, I smoothed my thumb over her lip first. “I’m sorry about the nightclub. I had no idea Valérie—” I stopped. “Shit. I left you with her yesterday.”

“Yes.” Leia closed her eyes again. “She wasn’t very nice, but she’s never been nice to me. I had no idea she’d do anything like this, though.” The steel returned to her gaze.

“Neither did I, or her head would have left her shoulders days ago.” I clenched a fist in my lap. “I’ll have Kyle double-check all of my staff. I want only the most loyal by my side.”

How had I let Valérie so close to me and so close to Leia without any inkling of her end game?

“Did you know she wanted…wanted…” She swallowed then met my eyes. “I mean, I know you have women who want you, who are better matches for you, who are vampires… But did you know Valérie was one of those women?”

I shook my head. “No. And if I had, she’d have been given the same warning as Aurelia. And she wouldn’t have been allowed anywhere near you.” I brushed back a lock of hair from her forehead as I spoke.

She nodded. “Okay.”

I didn’t know what she thought was okay, or why she’d said it, but she seemed calmer. “Are you still hungry?” I gestured around at the brown paper bags, some of them still unopened, but she shook her head.

“No. I’m just… I’m just tired now. Is Aimée all right?”

I nodded. “Aimée has seen worse. She’s done worse.” My temper rose a little. “And she’s far more all right than if she’d reached that bathroom even a second later.” I was torn between anger at Aimée for being so complacent with Leia’s safety and thankfulness that she’d saved her.

“I’m lucky she was there,” Leia murmured as she glanced out of the window. “I wasn’t fucking strong enough.”