Page 69 of Craving Her Vampire

“I get it. I want you to protect him and me. I have many powerful friends on my side now.” I smile.

“We will do whatever you need us to,” Heath says. “You deserve to live without fear.”

“Thanks, Heath,” I say but avoid his eyes.

“Fuckers need to be buried,” Quinn growls.

“Daisy, I lived in hell before,” Bash says, surprising me. “We will get you your revenge and the justice you deserve.”

“Can I cut one of their dicks off?” Saphira asks with a wicked grin.

“Bloodthirsty,” Micah says, and they laugh, cutting through the tension.

“I’ve learned from the best,” she replies.

“I will give you a knife to use,” I say.

“Cool.” She takes a big bite, and I shake my head. I need to get to know her. She hides a lot behind her outgoing personality.

“Have you taken enough of her blood to find her?” Bash asks casually.

“Yes,” Micah confirms. “I already feel her without the bond completed.”

“Good.” Bash leans back, appeased.

“He can’t know I’m mated, especially to a vampire,” I say. “He acts tough, but he'll run when faced with powerful vampires. I need all of you to stay far enough away so he won’t sense you.”

“What are you going to tell him?” Saphira asks.

“I’m not sure yet. I figure I’ll know what to do when I see him.” I shrug.

“Great plan,” Heath says dryly.

“I can read him. I’ll know how to approach him. He’s used to my attitude, so if I go meek and nice, he’ll know somethings up,” I explain.

“Did you ever break his fingers?” Quinn asks.

“No. He didn’t make contact but flirted with my boundaries. He was always testing me.” I take a drink of my cold coffee.

“I want to test his pain level and then rip his heart out.” Micah sets his cup down, and the cup disintegrates.

“Now that’s a good plan,” Heath comments, tapping his cane.

Shit, I will have to change my underwear. I’m ready to jump my mate, not hunt an Alpha.

I’m not a fan of being away from my mate. My skin itches, and my heart is squeezed in a vise. Micah didn’t like it, but I asked him to stay at the apartment. I need to leave my scent through the streets. He has sent me four texts since I left. He claims he’s assuring me he can pinpoint my location, but I think he’s feeling the distance as much as I am. His acceptance of my plan assures me he sees me as an equal instead of the little woman who needs protection. Don’t get me wrong—the further I move away, the more appealing the idea of being a little woman is.

Don’t we all want someone to protect us? Not to smother us or demean our strength but to show their love.

I do love him, and I can’t live without him.

Rubbing the ache in my chest, I glance around me through lowered lashes. This better be worth not being with my mate. We could be playing in bed. Micah’s way of loving me is mind-numbingly good. I wish life were fair, and I was there with him now.

Lace’s apartment is across from a little park. I grip the back of a park bench and stare at the window I know is hers. Most of the apartments are lit up, but hers is dark. We assumed we would take action when the sun went down; perhaps it seemed appropriate. The dark is when the demons come out to play. I don’t sense or smell the Alpha asshole or any of the pack in the area.

Walking the streets at night brings back so many memories. We didn’t steal much during the day; it was too easy to get caught. The dark is camouflage. Past sunset is when people drink, party, and lower their inhibitions. Lifting wallets at clubs, bars, and even parks was easy. You wouldn’t believe how many people walk the park at night.

There are a couple of teenagers making out like no one is watching on the other side of the slides. Some guys are playingbasketball across from them, and two girls are whispering while sitting on a bench watching the guys work up a sweat.

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