I narrowed my eyes. What was this girl’s issue?
“Oh, my God,” she said after a moment. “Trenton?” She walked farther into the room.
She knew Trent? How? I glanced at him. His eyes were crisp blue but blank, like he had no idea what was going on right now.
“You know her?” I asked him.
“No,” he said slowly, but his gaze was now on this other girl.
It was if I’d suddenly disappeared from his world. Anger and jealousy burned in my gut. I shoved his chest and wiggled off the pool table. “I’m sorry,” I said, glaring at the girl. “Who are you?”
“It’s me. Vivienne.” She rounded the pool table and sashayed toward Trent. “C’mon, Trenton.” She pouted full, red lips. “You remember me, don’t you? Toronto. 1987.”
As if a switch had been flipped, Trent’s expression cleared, and his eyes widened. “How do you know about that?” he asked, his tone detached.
I stood, arms crossed, my jaw clenched with rage. Trent told me he’d only been with two other women before me, and Vivienne hadn’t been on his list. Had he lied to me?
She reached out to trail her finger down his chest, and I smacked her hand away. “I don’t think so,” I said, wedging myself between her and Trent.
Vivienne smiled, and that’s when I noticed the tips of her fangs. She was a vampire? And I’d just hit her? This wasn’t going to end well. Still, she had no right to touch my husband like that. I’d smack her a million more times, too, if she put her hands on Trent again.
“Dante told me,” she said with a seductive grin. “You remember him, don’t you?”
My ears rang. Dante? What were the chances it was a different Dante than the one Colt had been running from? God, please let it be a different Dante.
Behind me, Trent stiffened in the same way he always did right before he fought with Jax. “Dante’s here?” he asked.
His voice now had a deadly edge to it, and my anger was quickly replaced with fear.
“It’s been a long time, old friend,” said a smooth, clear voice.
A man walked into the room. That must be Dante. He had all-American good looks—blond hair, blue eyes, athletic build. To anyone who didn’t know the truth, he appeared totally harmless. Charming even, like the star quarterback who went to church on Sundays and helped little old ladies cross the street.
Trent took my left hand and guided me behind him, his hold so tight it was borderline brutal. My wedding rings dug into my finger. But I kept my mouth shut and didn’t fight him.
“Dante,” Trent said, his tone dripping venom.
“Vivienne. Come.” Dante snapped his fingers, and she rushed to his side like a well-trained puppy.
“You were right about him,” she said, nodding in Trent’s direction. “He’s divine. Too bad he’s so smitten with the human.” Vivienne scrunched up her nose in disgust.
Dante laughed. “Ah, yes. You always were rather fond of the pretty, little humans, weren’t you?”
As Dante moved forward, Trent moved back, careful to shield me from Dante. After everything Macaih and Colt had said about this guy, he was the very last person I ever wanted to meet. My instincts were screaming at me that Dante went beyond the inherent dangerousness that came with being a vampire. There was something… evil about him.
Dante stopped suddenly and raised a brow. “You’re protective of this one.” He tilted his head.
“She’s new,” Trent said through gritted teeth.
I’m new? What did he mean by that? I was too terrified to ask.
“How new?” There was humor in Dante’s tone now, as if he were enjoying whatever game he and Trent were playing.
“A few months,” Trent said.
“Well. Do let me have a look, won’t you?” Dante grinned. “For old time’s sake?”
I didn’t think it was possible, but Trent’s body stiffened even more, and I grimaced at how hard he squeezed my hand. I half expected to feel bones start to crack. Then, his hold loosened infinitesimally. Without moving in any manner that Dante could see, Trent twisted my engagement ring so the diamond was turned toward my palm, and then he enveloped my hand in his so that the rings weren’t visible.
He didn’t want Dante to know we were married.
Slowly, Trent tugged me around to stand beside him. My heart thrashed violently against my ribs, and my pulse pounded in my ears. I stood as close to Trent’s side as I could, taking comfort in knowing he wouldn’t let anything happen to me.
“My, my, Trenton.” Dante licked his bottom lip. “She is a beauty. No wonder you want to keep her for yourself.”
Dante stepped up to me, and I swallowed the urge to scream in his face to leave us alone. I also didn’t shrink against Trent, which was what I really wanted to do. Instead, I stood perfectly still and held his gaze. Despite the fact that I was terrified, I refused to show him any fear. Though, he could probably smell it on me.
“What’s your name, sweetheart?” Dante asked.
“Chloe,” I answered.
Vivienne made a gagging noise, and I glowered at her with all the fury I possessed.
Dante laughed, the sound much too normal and carefree. “She’s rather protective of you, too,” he said, his gaze flickering toward Trent. But then his attention was back on me. “I bet she tastes as good as she looks.” Dante trailed his finger down my cheek.
My stomach roiled with disgust.
“Don’t,” Trent warned and shoved me behind him, a lethal snarl rumbling from his chest. “Touch her again, and I’ll rip your still beating heart from your chest.”
Finally, Dante backed up, hands in the air in a show of surrender. “Easy, friend,” he said, but there was nothing easy in his tone. “We should get a drink and catch up.”
“I’m a little busy right now. Your friend over there”—Trent jutted his chin at Vivienne—”interrupted feeding time.”
Dante’s eyes lit up, and a genuine smile spread across his face.
