Page 45 of Siege of Blood and Betrayal

Anger flares hot in my blood. I’ve had enough of assholes from within our own organization betraying our trust. First Benoit and now a property manager?

“James, send me what you have on him. I’ll handle it. Ginny, find someone to manage this man’s workload. There’s about to be a job opening in our organization.”

“Yes, sire.”

“What about the blood trade? Is there anything there that needs my attention?”

“Nothing that we’re aware of, sire.”

When my phone buzzes, I end the meeting and answer Huntley’s call. “Tell me.”

“The children are safe and on their way to the Lower Bay subway compound.”

“Casualties?”

“Only on their side.”

Relief washes over me, loosening the tension in my shoulders. At least something has gone right today. “And the others within the compound?”

“I stayed behind with Link and Dante. They’ll notify the others that the children are safe and they’re free to fight. I’m heading to the kitchens now to find Benoit.”

“Find him, Huntley. He needs to pay.”

“I swear it, Z. Benoit will pay, and so will anyone who stands in my way.”

“Safe hunting.”

He lets off a wry chuckle. “I’ll report back once it’s done.”

“Thank you… for everything.”

With that, Huntley ends the call. I close my eyes and exhale. The children are safe and if all goes according to plan, they will arrive at the fallback compound soon.

When I open my eyes and glance out the window again, Scottie is gone. Worry twists my gut as I stand and head downstairs. She wouldn’t leave, would she?

I sense her the moment I begin the descent to the first floor. I find her in the kitchen, standing between the open doors of therefrigerator. She’s tipping a glass back, drinking in deep, thirsty gulps.

Am I that far gone that her drinking water looks erotic?

Yes. Yes, I am.

Not wanting to disturb her, I lean sideways in the entryway and watch. When she lowers the empty glass to the counter, her skin glistens with a sheen of sweat and her flaxen gold hair is a deep honey gold along her hairline.

She startles when she sees me watching, her gaze locking with mine. For a moment, a familiar tension crackles between us. Then she shakes her head and looks away. “How did your meetings go?”

“Boring, but important. Huntley just called. The children are safe and being brought to the fallback compound in the abandoned Lower Bay Station. I thought you would want to be there with me to welcome them.”

She levels a look at me, one brow arching in challenge. “Whether or not I want to be there is irrelevant. I am bound to serve and protect you.”

I clench my jaw against the bitterness in her tone. This is everything I want, but not the way I want it. I don’t want her to feel trapped—she shouldwantto be here with me.

She doesn’t want to hear my apologies. I’ve tried.

But for her, I’ll try again.

“Scots, please. I was in a violent and scary place and didn’t want you to see the beast I felt growing inside me. I wanted you safe and happy.”

“Iwassafe and happy.”

---