Page 17 of The Vampire's Hunter

“My point is that one good finger fuck, and she’s already gotten under your skin.”

Corbin scowled, flashing fang. “I thought we discussed this earlier, Kharis. Underboss or no, stayoutof my sex life.”

“I’ll make it a point when you stop fingering helpless humans in full view of your club for show.” Kharis gave him a pointed look, before taking a long pull.

Corbin smirked. “Enjoyed that now, did you?” he taunted.

“You’re shameless. Truly.” Kharis flicked the ashes of his cigarette, stubbing out the ember it left on the carpet with his toe. “We’re this close.” Kharis made a pinching gesture with his fingers. “This close and you’re going to let your feelings for some human cunt get in the way.”

The lust for violence that filled Corbin then had little to do with being a vampire. Its grip on his psyche sharp and fierce. “Speak of her like that again, and friend or no, you’ll find yourself in a similar position to Zane,” he warned. Corbin’s eyes flashed crimson, making the seriousness of his threat clear. “No one understands how close we are better than I do. You think I don’t know?”

Kharis fell silent for a beat, the glow of his cigarette pulsating in the dark.

“She’s distraction. Nothing more,” Corbin reassured.

“For you or Lucien?” Kharis sneered.

“Both.” Corbin’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t see a point in the distinction.”

Kharis cast the butt of his cigarette onto the carpet. “And what’s your plan tomorrow when yoursire attempts to hold her close? Whispers in her ear? What will you do then?” The Greek lifted a brow. “What you did to Zane?”

“Call him by that title again and true death will be yours before morning,” Corbin hissed, crimson gaze aflame. “Lucien doesn’t need to touch her. He only needs to look, to be tempted.”

“If you think he won’t want a taste of her in a show of good faith, you’re a fool.” Kharis waved a dismissive hand.

“And whatexactlydo you suggest as an alternative?” Corbin lifted a brow. “Use her as bait?”

Kharis crossed his arms over his chest, leaning against the wall again with a shrug. “In not so blunt of terms.”

For a moment, Corbin dared consider it, before finally, he shook his head. “No. No, we stick to the plan.”

“Which is?”

“She serves as a distraction, and Lucien need not touch her.”

“And when this is over?” Kharis prompted.

“I let her go.”

His friend chuckled. “If you say so.”

“Idosay so,” Corbin said, eyes narrowing again.

“And the information she requested? In exchange?”

Corbin shook his head. “She’s not going to get it. Not before Lucien is dead, that is.” He moved to brush past Kharis, to return to his apartment before the sun rose. He needed to escape the overpowering scent of sex, of blood and tobacco that lingered inside the club. He had no intention of being cooped up here. Not all day. “That’s all she truly wants anyway.”

“For your sake, Corbin, I hope you’re right.”

Corbin simply nodded in response, before he disappeared into the club’s ether, blending amongst the shadows. He was a true creature of the night. A swath of darkness without a soul.

He didn’t pause until he was out in the streets below, climbing into the back of the town car again. His eyes settled on the orange rim of the sunrise just beyond on the Chicago skyline.

For the last hundred years, he’d worked toward this moment, to when he could finally take his revenge, and as Kharis had reminded him, it was supposed to taste sweet. As sweet as the sun had once felt upon his face as he’d watched it rise each morn. Never once had he questioned whether it was worth the sacrifice.

But for once, Corbin felt himself hesitate.

5

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