Page 14 of Blood Submission

Her hands shook, but she managed to get the key into the ignition and start the car. Dante noticed she had just over a half tank of gas. Enough to get them a good distance before they had tostop.

“Why don’t you just take the car yourself,” she asked as she waited for the engine to warm up. “I’d be more than happy to gift it to you. Or call someone to come and get you. Don’t you have a phone?”

Dante didn’t answer her right away, though he wasn’t sure why. He’d never been ashamed to admit it before. Before the silence became awkward, he said, “I lost my phone.” And never thought to ask to borrow yours. “And I don’t drive. I have others do it forme.”

“You don’t drive? Or you can’t?”

He took offense at her snide tone. “I don’t need to,” he said with a sneer. “I have minions like you to take me wherever I want to go. And this way I don’t have to hunt for snacks. My next meal is right here in front of me whenever I feel the urge to take a drink.” He’d said that last part hoping it would shut herup.

Her mouth slammed shut with an audible click.

“Now, be a good little mouse and do as I tell you, and maybe you’ll still be alive when we get there.”

Laney didn’t respond, but he knew he’d gotten to her by the uptick in her rapidly pounding pulse. It sounded loud in hisears.

“Set the GPS for Seattle,” Dante ordered.

She did so. And then she took a deep breath and eased out of the parking lot, and out onto the mainroad.

They drove in silence with only the robotic voice of the navigation system for company until they got onto US-93. Traffic was light this time of night, and they should make good time. He’d have her stop just past Falls City, if necessary. They could get a hotel in one of those little Idaho towns.

To keep himself occupied, Dante stewed on his thoughts. He never lessened his vigil, though. From what he’d seen of this one so far, it wouldn’t surprise him if she jumped out of the car while it was fucking moving. And the only one that would get hurt from a stunt like that would be her. Dante had been through things way worse than a measly car crash.

The first years of his vampire life had been…eye opening, to say the least. The vampire that had created him in his image had also been the one to nearly end him when he’d discovered Dante’s existence. If it hadn’t been for Luukas, he would be nothing but ash in the wind right now. He owed the master vampire everything—his very existence.

Laney’s voice brought him back to his current situation. “I need tostop.”

“No.”

“I need to use the restroom.”

“You should have gone before we left the house.”

“I did,” she gritted out. “I’m stopping.”

In spite of her defiant words, she drove past the next exit, waiting for his permission to stop. “Fine. Get off here,” he said. Turning on her blinker, she exited the freeway.

Dante could see a rest stop ahead. There was one other car parked in front—a pick-up truck. “Park as far away from that truck as youcan.”

She pulled up right next toit.

A low growl rumbled in his chest, her flamboyant disobedience lighting him up inside. He needed to do something about this bad habit of hers, now, or he would have to kill her sooner than planned. And that would be a shame. He had plans for this one once he got herhome.

Laney turned off the engine and took off her seatbelt. Giving her shoulder a warning squeeze just hard enough to make her wince, Dante removed his arm. As soon as he did so, she bolted.

But he had been expecting it. Dante was out of the car and cutting off her escape before she’d made it all the way out of the car. She’d only fucked herself with her little parking stunt, for now she had nowhere to go, stuck between the cars with her open door behind her and him blocking the only way out. “You weren’t going to wait for me?” he asked her sarcastically.

Her eyes shot daggers at him as she closed her door. “I think I can handle this myself.”

He told the dog to stay and closed his door as well. “I’m sure. But I’m coming with you anyway.” Taking her by the arm, he started walking toward the ladies’ room with her shuffling along behind him. “You should know,” he said in a casual tone. “By not doing what I told you and parking next to that guy? You just guaranteed his death.”

Glancing back over his shoulder at her, he smiled to see that his comment had hit home. She picked up her speed until she was walking next to him. “Please don’t hurt them. That person is innocent.”

“Too late, little mouse. Besides, I need a drink. And I need you alert to drive.”

She ran out in front of him and he drew to a halt, releasing her arm and looking down at her with a challenging lift to his brow. The woman came up to his chest and was half his mass, and she thought she could physically intimidate him? He’d be amused if he weren’t so irritated with her…and hungry for something other than her blood.

Placing her small hand on his stomach, she pleaded with her eyes. “Please. I’m asking you not to hurt that person, whoever theyare.”

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