Part 13 (2/2)
As Vlad watched, Mikhel scrambled to his knees and leaned over Deoctra. ”Are you all right?”
She nodded silently, her hand hovering over her stomach.
”What the h.e.l.l do you want, fem?” Vlad demanded.
She cast a weary look in his direction. ”I wanted to make sure Mikhel was all right.” She looked at Mikhel. ”They didn't... did they?”
”No.” Mikhel turned to look at Vlad. ”My brother arrived in time to intervene.”
She nodded. ”I knew he would. They thought he would stand by and allow them to violate you, but I knew he wouldn't.”
Mikhel nodded. ”Of course he wouldn't. He's my brother.”
Vlad growled low in his throat and rejected the warm feeling that washed over him at Mikhel's words. What the h.e.l.l did he care if Mikhel believed in him or not?
The sound of approaching vehicles sent them all moving to the side of the dark road. Vlad stood behind his SUV watching as Mikhel and the b.i.t.c.h faced in each other.
”Is this it? Is it over?” Mikhel asked.
She sucked in a deep breath and nodded. ”Yes. It's over.”
”No more plots or plans for revenge?”
”No...” She cupped a hand over her stomach. ”I have other interests now.”
”Other interests?” Mikhel arched a brow, lowering his gaze to her stomach. ”You mean...?”
Vlad watched a radiant look flash across her face as she nodded. ”I think so. I hope so.”
”Who's the father?”
”That's none of your concern.” She cupped a hand over his cheek, leaned up and kissed his lips. ”I really did love you,” she whispered.
”I know and I'm sorry I... ”
She drew away and shook her head. ”It doesn't matter now. Would you intercede with your mother and your siblings? Tell them I'm-”
”Yes.”
She nodded, gave him a long last look and then flashed into the night.
”Get the lead out, Mikhel. Are you going to get your a.s.s in the SUV or are you planning to spend the night on the road staring after your past?”
”You really are one miserable son of a b.i.t.c.h,” Mikhel told him and got back inside.
”So what? You think all vamps are as touchy-feely as Sei?”
”No. He's one of a kind.”
Vlad slid into the driver's seat and started the SUV. The near reverence in Mikhel's voice when speaking of Aleksei annoyed the h.e.l.l out of him. ”Maybe so, but just remember which one of us saved your sorry a.s.s tonight.”
Mikhel feigned a yawn. ”Yadda yadda yadda.” He closed his eyes and slumped back against the seat, then bolted upright. ”I need a phone. I have to call Erica and Mother. They must be frantic.”
Chapter Eight.
Jace bolted up in bed, his senses alert. He stared around the dark, unfamiliar bedroom. It took him several moments to realize where he was. He turned his head. The rumpled bed beside him was empty. His newly heightened senses told him Ana- Tatiana-was still in the apartment. Someone else was there as well.
He jumped out of bed, found his pants and pulled them over his nude body. He moved quietly through the apartment, pausing at the open door which led into the living room.
Standing in the shadows, he stared across the room to the patio beyond. Tatiana, wearing a sheer negligee that clearly revealed every inch of her voluptuous body, stood facing a tall, blond male. What the f.u.c.k was his woman doing standing practically naked in front of another man?
Stalking across the room, he pulled the patio doors open and bolted out onto deck. ”Who the h.e.l.l is this?”
Tatiana turned to face him. ”Leave us alone for a moment, Eric.”
He shook his head. ”The name is Jace, and I asked you a question.”
The man moved around Tat. His right hand shot out toward Jace's face. Jace brought up his left forearm to block the blow. Following through quickly, he sent his right fist cras.h.i.+ng into the man's jaw.
The blond collapsed to the deck, unconscious. Jace reached down to grab his limp body. Tatiana's hand closed over his wrist like steel. Retaining his grip on the man's sweater, he stared at her. ”What?”
”Release him and leave us alone.”
He arched a brow at the unmistakable threat in her tone. Any notion he'd had of her taking one look at him and realizing he was the love of her life vanished. He was going to have to work hard to win her.
d.a.m.n. He couldn't remember the last time he'd had to wine and dine a woman. He thought briefly of his courts.h.i.+p of Carollina, remembered the nightmare that had left him sweating with fear the night before, and quickly dismissed thoughts of her.
He'd woo Tatiana, but d.a.m.n if he'd lose her to some pretty blond with a gla.s.s jaw.
She spoke again, her voice low and steady. ”Release him, Jason...gently.”
He opened his fist and smiled as the blond's head hit the deck with a noticeable thud.
She hissed softly and stared at him. ”Now leave us alone and pray that he's not hurt.”
He closed his hand over her arm. ”I don't give a s.h.i.+t if he's hurt or not. Who is he?”
”Someone special.”
The words sliced through him with the force of a steel-sharpened knife. How could she talk about someone else being special to her after what they'd shared hours earlier? ”If he's so special, what the h.e.l.l were you doing with me earlier tonight?”
She shook her head, her lips tightening. ”What happened between us was a mistake neither of us can afford to repeat. Now go while I'm still prepared to allow you to leave in one piece.”
He laughed and grabbed her shoulders. Staring into her eyes, he spoke slowly. ”Do not threaten me.”
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