Page 22 of Victory for Vampires

He says nothing, but trails of tears become full-on rivers as he sobs.

I run my fingers through my hair, choking on my own grief as I watch him fall apart. I’ve never known what to do for him when he’s like this except be there. Feed him, keep him company, plan the next time we’ll get to see her.

But…maybe it’s different now. Something changed this time. We all felt more deeply connected, and he and I were more physical than we’ve ever been. I decide to test something, so I slip behind him in the window seat and pull him between my thighs, resting his head against my shoulder. I kiss the side of hisface, his neck and his shoulder. He turns to me, silently asking for more as I lavish my utter adoration on him.

“This is going to work out, mate,” I promise him.

It has to. Because it was always meant to be the three of us.

Without her, we’re just not complete.

14

VALENTINA

Six months later

The only thing to ease the ache of leaving Alé and Pietro was work. I threw myself into it the moment I got back to Hearth HQ, planning a dozen other trips to the most successful havens in our system. I compiled over fifteen notebooks’ worth of notes from those trips, and comm’d my mates every week to tell them what I’ve been learning and working on.

Like always, Pietro forces brightness into his voice and a smile to his lips, but our bond is dark and quiet. Six portals are too far for me to be able to feel him. If we lived in the human world, it wouldn’t be a problem. But six portals plus six ward systems are enough to obliterate it.

It’s nearly midnight, and my office is pitch-black save for a solo light on at my desk. I add color to the last illustrated mockup of the new haven. The new haven was announced four months ago, and Evenia uncharacteristically let the Azuroan monsters vote on the name, as many of them will be moving to the new location.

They picked Tesoro, the Italian word for treasure.

I love it. And I hope they’ll love what I’ve planned. I traveled to Azuro last week to speak with the leadership council there and present my final plans. Their signoff is the last step I need before presenting it to Evenia tomorrow for the last approval. Of course, she’s given a half dozen approvals along the way. Tomorrow is mostly for show. Typically, it’s a public meeting, and anyone can come, but I asked Evenia if we could meet privately.

I’m going to simultaneously present my detailed plan for a Grand Portal Station, much like the humans’ Grand Central Station. I haven’t spoken a word of this plan to anyone, but I’ve been working overtime doing research, cost analysis and location planning. I’m ready for this presentation. It has to work; she has to agree, because I can’t keep living without my mates like this. Not to mention the benefit to monsterkind.

It’s early evening in Ever, so I pick up my comm disk and call them. They don’t answer; they’re probably busy.

But two hours later, they’re still not answering. Worry fills me, so I pack up my things and head home, determined to call them again.

Scurrying down the streets with my plans in a long tube carrier and my bag slung over my back, I push through the snow until I get to my apartment. My chest is full of pressure, and I wish for the millionth time I could ease some of that with my bond.

As I enter my building, I flatten my ears to my head to avoid hearing every conversation in the place. It’s a pro and con of being a vampire. But, inadvertently, I pick up voices I’d know anywhere.

Could it be?

I examine my bond only to feel a sensual tug.

In a moment, I fly up the stairs to my apartment on the top level. The front door is propped open. Bursting through, I look for them. Pietro stands at the stove wearing one of my frilly aprons as he stirs a boiling pot, and Alé comes out of the bathroom in nothing but a towel, his black hair wet and dripping water down his powerful neck.

My mouth drops open, but I zip it. Tears fill my eyes. “You’re here. You’re both here. I was just calling you…”

Alé drops the towel, revealing his nude frame. Like always, his beauty shocks me into silence. Jagged, linear tattoos trail down his neck and cover his chest, a singular line diving all the way into the thick hair around the base of his bobbing cock.

“I need to worship you.” I set my tube and bag down on a side table by the door.

“We couldn’t wait to see you,” Pietro rumbles, removing the apron and hanging it on a hook on the wall. “We took a few days off to be here while you make your presentation. We wanted it to be a surprise.”

The first blood tear trails down my cheek as I gesture him close. Pulling them together, I press my cheek to Alé’s chest and bring my left palm to Pietro’s heart. Instantly, nerves and sadness dissipate. I can do anything with them by my side. Anything at all.

Sighing happily, I consider just how late it is, and yet Pietro seems determined to feed me. I smile and lift my head from Alé’s chest, jerking it toward the stove. “You’re cooking, so let’s eat. After that, would you like to go out on the town for a bit? Or would you rather stay in?”

Pietro bends down and nuzzles my neck. “I wouldn’t mind showing you off at a club for a while. It’s been years since we went to one.”

Alé’s hands slide up my back to rest between my shoulder blades. “What do you think?” I question.

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