Page 7 of Rescued By the Vampire Rogue

For him to betray me, then further humiliate me by working in my territory, it was not something I could ignore anymore. It jeopardized everything I owned and all the vampires in my line if my power and reputation was tarnished.

Ivy received the papers and files she requested. Giving up on the screens, she refocused by sorting papers in stacks all over the floor and any other surface that she could reach. I spent more time watching her sift through data with a fervor that was unexpected than actually assisting. The screens flickered with images and texts, casting a pale glow on her face as she worked with it and the paper copies. My guidance came sparingly, a nudge here, a clarification there. I hadn't anticipated this level of competence; it demanded a certain acknowledgement, even from someone as jaded as myself. Hours passed as she worked.

"Any progress?" My voice cut through the silence like a blade.

Ivy sat back and put her hands on her hips as she sighed. "Yes, but I have to go bathroom first." She disappeared through a door that led to an attached bathroom that was just as fortified as the room.

A chime sounded from the wall and I pressed my hand against the hidden sensor there. A door slid open and a meal for Ivy appeared. I moved it to the small table in the corner, setting it up for her.

When she came out of the bathroom, her gaze went right to the food. "Let me guess, only one because vampires don't eat."

"Unnecessary, though possible. I prefer blood for sustenance."

Ivy eyed me as she warred with her thoughts. Whatever she wanted to say stayed on her tongue because she only replied with, "thank you." Then she went to the table and began to eat.

"Lucien's been busy," she murmured, her voice imbued with a mix of awe and disgust. "He's playing chess while everyone else is stuck playing checkers."

At her words, an involuntary smile tugged at the corner of my mouth. It was true; the rogue vampire's activities were insidious, threading through the underbelly of our society, all while masquerading as my own handiwork. He'd learned my methods then turned them against me.

"Indeed," I replied, allowing a rare fragment of warmth to seep into my tone. "Your insight serves you well."

"I'm still working out the details." Ivy finished eating in silence, then returned to the stacks of information. "I feel cooped up in here. There's no windows."

I changed the view on the wall screens to show the view out of a highrise building downtown. She watched the movement of the lights for a few minutes before she returned to her investigation.

The distraction was becoming unbearable. Each time she bit her lip in focus or her pulse quickened with excitement over a new discovery, I felt a surge of something perilous. Blood was power, blood was temptation, and hers was an enigma wrapped in a riddle—a rarity that I knew all too well could spell addiction for my kind.

Ivy was right. I was as much of a monster as she thought I was. Human trafficking of blood slaves was an unsavory but rather profitable business. Which meant I knew exactly how much profit she would fetch if I sold her. It was part of the reason she'd distracted me the first time I'd seen her.

The scent of her blood was enough to distract any vampire. While all human blood sufficed for sustenance, she was like a perfectly aged wine. Full bodied flavor and rare to come by. Vampires fought wars over humans like her.

"Do I have any chance at freedom… You know, after this is over?"

"Take care," I cautioned, the words escaping like a low growl. "Being close to me has marked you. You're in their sights now."

"Whose sights?" she asked, glancing up with a mixture of fear and defiance.

"Every vampire who craves the exceptional. Your blood... it's not just blood." I rose from my seat, pacing to maintain control. "It's a siren's call."

"Then why keep me here? Why stay here when it's tempting you?" Her eyes searched mine, seeking answers I wasn't sure I wanted to give.

"Because, despite every rule of survival screaming against it," I confessed, the truth clawing its way out, "I can't let you go."

Ivy shook her head as she slammed down the folder she was looking at. "You're distracting me. I can't focus with you here watching me like I'm a bunny you're waiting to eat."

The moment the words left her lips, demanding space, I couldn't help but admire her defiance. It was a quality that stirred something predatory within me. The discipline it took not to grin at her audacity was monumental.

"Fine," I said, my voice low and controlled, "I'll give you room to work." Yet as I stepped closer instead of away, the corners of my mouth betrayed my intent with a faint smirk.

Her scent hit me, the unmistakable hint of arousal mingled with determination. It was intoxicating, a heady brew that called to every dark instinct I possessed. She held my gaze, a warning flaring in those deep blue eyes.

"Stop," she breathed out, her tone fierce despite the tremor that betrayed her. Contrasting her words, she jumped to her feet like she was on the verge of fleeing. "I mean it, or I'm done here."

It was an empty threat, and we both knew it. Her curiosity, her need to uncover the truth… It anchored her to this place, to this task. And to me.

Ignoring her plea, I closed the distance between us in one stride. My hands found the display of the window beside her head, caging her in. Her pulse fluttered like a bird trapped between my fingers, the heat of her body radiating against the much cooler temperature of mine.

"Your focus is admirable," I murmured, allowing my fingers to trace the curve of her lips, watching as they parted on a soft whimper.

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