Page 90 of Craving Her Vampire

“I know.” I turn back to my window. “She said she loves me.”

“Of course she does; you're a badass, too,” she scoffs.

“I shouldn’t have wasted so much time at Lace’s,” I mumble, regret itching at my skin.

“She was in control. You should have seen her,” she says. “I didn’t see everything, but I heard her conversation. You gave her what she needed to take her power back. You let her take the lead and take care of those men. Not many shifters, and definitely not vampires, allow their mate to walk into danger.”

“You're not making me feel any better,” I say dryly, pulling Daisy deeper into my body.

“I don’t mean it like that,” she says. “Daisy has the best of both worlds. You would die for her, kill for her, protect her, yet you trust her. You allow her to show her strength. Plus, I’m sure you're bossy in the bedroom,” she smirks.

“You do know me well.” I smile.

“Such a shame we weren’t mates. We would have had a blast,” she says. “You found the perfect partner. I’m happy with being the go-to friend.”

“Thank you, Sally. Your friendship is special to me,” I say. “You remind me of my sister. I needed to remember her for the past few months. She would have loved you. I imagine I would have to get you two out of all kinds of trouble.” She’s quiet so long I frown and look at her profile.

“I’m honored,” she whispers. “I’ve always been too loud, too outspoken,” she glances over, “too honest, to be taken seriously.” She turns back. “I’ve been judged harshly for my species. Rabbits are laughed at in most of our world. Other shifters don’t think I am capable of much of anything. The trust you put in me tonight is rarely given. I would have died for Daisy. I respect the bond and am thrilled you found her. You have to promise to tell me if anything I say to you offends her. I tease, but I would never interfere with your bond.”

“I promise, but Daisy knows. You found your place here.”

“I know,” she says softly.

I notice we are almost home, and I look at the dash. “You aren’t afraid of getting pulled over,” I tease.

“I like speed.” She shrugs. “You do, too. I know you aren’t used to riding in a car.”

“We have that in common.”

“Besides, I have charmed my way out of many tickets.” She wiggles her eyebrows.

I chuckle. “I bet you have.”

I drain the glass of blood and place it on the table beside the bed. Daisy’s blood is better, but I had to regenerate while she is sleeping. Rubbing my hands over my hair, I lean back in the chair. My favorite pastime is watching her sleep. I’m amazed she sleeps so heavily. I brought her to the apartment and put her to bed without her stirring.

She jerks in her sleep, and I frown. I wonder what she is dreaming about. I am anxious for her to wake up. I need to know she is alright. Do her legs hurt? Was she scared?

The vampire, Rowen, is with Ryker. Ryker supplied him with blood and is finding out his story. We have to make sure he isn’t a danger to any of our friends or the humans. Being deprived for so long of the thing that keeps us strong and sane is torturous. Carter had to give him enough blood to supply the shifters and humans for his ridiculous experiment. I couldn’t sense his exact age, but he wasn’t a young vampire. He has to be at least a hundred years old. Ryker is a good mentor for him to have and will get the information we need.

Turner and Carter are slowly dying in their torture chamber behind a locked door. I enlisted River to secure the door and make sure no one could get to them. He was overjoyed to do it. I imagine he is eating a fucking sandwich, dancing around the castle.

“I didn’t think you were a flannel kind of guy,” Daisy says, and I look up from my contemplation of the floor. Her eyes are half open, looking at my flannel pajama pants.

“They're comfortable,” I say. I’ll wear anything, and I was hoping it would make her smile. “How are you feeling?” She presses her palms together under her cheek, turning to her side.

“Better,” she says. “Where are they?”

“In an apartment downstairs. Quinn and Heath are getting them settled. Steph is with them. Quinn thought it was smart to have a woman there and someone who had a similarexperience.” I pull the chair closer to the bed. “Tell me when you are ready to see them.”

“I’m nervous,” she says softly, gliding a finger over the blanket.

“Why?”

“I know what happened. I’m so happy they are safe. I’m just not sure I’m ready to see them.” I brush her hair behind her ear. “All these memories are flooding my brain all at once, and it’s hard to adjust. I wanted to know for so long, and Carter confirmed what I remember. Imagining what she went through is horrible. It doesn’t make sense.” She lets out a rough breath.

“You are allowed to feel unsure.” I clasp my hands, my elbows on my knees. “You have spent most of your life with blank spaces, and now they are suddenly filled. The shock is unsettling.”

“My mom’s name is Iris,” she says. “She wanted to name Liam after a flower, but my dad wouldn’t allow it.”

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