There were too many of them. With an anguished cry, I dropped to my knees. Mick’s face flashed before my eyes, and I smiled. It was only fitting that I go out the same way. My vision wavered. Right before I fell, I thought of Bailey and Zack, and let out a whispered, “I’m sorry.”
What happened next felt like a dream. The baby vamps froze as a body appeared in the doorway. I knew it was Zack. His hands lifted into the air, his fire-red eyes glowing brightly as he let out an agonizing roar. From one blink to the next, they were all gone. Every last vampire in the room had exploded into ash.
Then he was there, kneeling beside me. “Took you long enough,” I whispered.
Anger and something else flashed across his face as he bit into his wrist and held it over my mouth. “Drink,” he ordered. For once, I didn’t argue. His eyes held mine, his hand tenderly stroking my head, as his blood slowly stitched me back together again.
When I was strong enough to move without screaming, I lifted my mouth from his wrist, and said, “Bailey.”
“Status!” he called out.
“The girls are all fine, sire. The paramedics have been called. They should be here soon.”
“I need to go with her,” I rasped.
“What you need is a spanking.”
At my whispered, “Yes, please,” a male voice said, “I like her.” I tried to get a look at him but was still too weak to lift my head.
“More,” Zack ordered, shoving his wrist in my face. I gave him an eye roll, then I drank. His coppery-sweet blood wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be.
More vampires entered the room. By that point, I could move my head. My eyes widened at the sexy goodness that stood before me. Holy vampire hotness.
Zack’s eyes narrowed as if reading my thoughts, and I gave his wrist an extra-long suck.
“Diana, this is Quinton, Rhys, Rocco, Isaiah, and Kyst. They are all members of my seethe.”
The vampires took turns briefing me on what they’d discovered. As it turned out, the nest was located under SangreLa. I totally called it. Jessie was in cohorts with Ernie. Ernie, by the way, was GI Fang. Jessie had stolen some money from Ernie and Ernie was letting him work off his debt by providing the girls for the nest. No one knew why Ernie had the nest in the first place. I suspected Lenora was behind it. Once I was on my feet again, I was going to investigate.
When the bites were gone, my ribs healed, and my hand was healed, Zack finally gave in to my requests to see my sister. His blood carried a strong punch. After what I’d seen today, his blood wasn’t the only thing with a strong punch. He’d decimated a room of vampires with his mind. I was going to have to dissect that one later. Right now, I needed to see my sister.
Bailey broke into tears when she saw me coming. I held her to me, and we both cried. Zack’s eyes never left my face as he and his band of sexy brothers stood watch over us.
Amos arrived minutes before the ambulances. The love on his face when he saw my sister made me rethink my opinion of the guy. Yes, he was a giant pussy, but he loved my sister to pieces.
As the paramedics loaded the women into the ambulances, I had a moment with Zack.
“So, what’s next?” I asked, hoping he would suggest another sex-fest at his place.
“Tobias has Jessie. He’s holding him at Venom. I’m going there now to question him.”
“I was talking about us.”
“Aaah, us. Well, I thought perhaps we could have dinner.”
My brows hit my hairline. “I thought you didn’t do food?”
He smiled. “I need to train my new nourisher.”
I returned his smile. “You most certainly do. Your place or mine?”
“How about tomorrow night at my place, let’s say eight.”
“It’s a date.”
He leaned in, and just when I thought he was going to kiss me, he whispered, “I’m still going to spank you,” then stepping back, he said, “See you tomorrow, Diortha.”
About RB Hilliard
RB Hilliard lives in Charlotte, North Carolina with her husband, two teenagers, and crazy dog, Oscar. She loves music, a good book, red wine, chocolate, and to write twistedly suspenseful stories. Alpha men and rock stars are among her favorites, but don't worry, if suspense isn't your bag, she also writes funny tales about exceptionally hot men who are in desperate need of taming. In 2014, Hilliard published her first novel. She has since published multiple novels across several genres.
Bayou’s Edge
A Crimson & Clover LagniappeSarah M. Cradit
Life as a vampire is already hard. But it's a real bitch when you fall for the human you have to kill.
Copyright
Copyright © 2020 Sarah M. Cradit
Edited by Emily A. Lawrence
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners
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