Page 92 of All Your Bloody Lies

She grumbles.

The story of her thinking it was blood when she was younger and wanting to be a Vampire got her hooked on the beverage. Sydni says it reminds her of the innocence she once had, but of course, my little demon just says she enjoys the taste. How in the Beyond can anyone enjoy that?

I suppose I have no room to talk; I drink blood after all.

When she lets out a soft laugh, we both fall into a small bout of it together. Her hand moves on top of mine, pats it, and then tucks her fingers under my palm. “Weirdo.”

After parking in front of her apartment, I unlock the door and watch as she opens it.

“Just text me when you are heading back, I won’t take long and will be ready.”

I nod, and as she’s turning her legs out, she pauses, “Kai?”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks.” My eyes widen in shock that she thanks me. “For not rushing to open my door, I’d have killed you… trying to treat me like some fucking lady.”

There she is.

I bark out a laugh, and place both my hands onto the steering wheel, “Not really the—” she cuts me off by giving me a kiss, it’s brief, and when she leans away she winks. “—prince charming type.”

“See you soon.” The door closes moments after, and I watch her stroll straight into the building.

What have you done to me, Xera…

In the lobby, Marcos, Achille’s one and only son, greets me. His bright blue eyes locking on me as I enter the building.He will inherit everything from his father when he dies. I must admit, I like Marcos. He is young and seems to have a good head on his shoulders. He’s a social media snob, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. His father is stuck in the mindset of the two-thousands, even if he didn’t grow up in them.

“Sirion Monroe, it’s good to see you,” Marcos says, extending his hand to me, and I take it without hesitation.

“Likewise,” I reply with a gracious smile.

“My father is so dramatic,” he says, hitting the button for the elevator. “I’ll just prep you on our ride up.”

I nod, “Thanks, but I am busy so I hope this doesn’t take too long.”

He shakes his head, “Nah, we will just give you the file and you can be on your way. First, what cologne are you wearing?” As the elevator doors open, I step in with him, and he hits the number eighty-seven, the top floor.

“I’m not, it tends to mess with my senses.”

“Something smells nice,” he says, taking a long intake of air through his nose. “Maybe it was whoever used the elevator last,” he hums, and I don’t comment. I don’t smell anything, but that isn’t surprising. All I’ve been able to smell is my little demon, which I am so pleased about.

“Anyway, it looks like a high-profile member of Ansford has gone missing, Clay Horus. I believe you had a run-in with him at a club.”

I don’t react, but the fact that he knows that does make me nervous, “I did, he was messing with someone I was seeing.” I’m thankful for Sydni, she’s kept everything in such perfect order. ‘Stephanie’, as she told Clay and the twins, was the mate that I stopped seeing just before she was ‘killed’ by their disgruntled driver. I’m not meant to know she died; that keeps everything separated from me and my little demon. At some point, it’s inevitable that someone will see me with Xeraphine, and there mustn’t be any doubt that she and Stephanie are not one and the same. It’ll just look like I have a thing for black-haired women.

“Ah, that explains the reports we got, but no matter. They shouldn’t be messing with what is yours, am I right?”

I chuckle, “Exactly. So, Clay is missing?” I stay neutral because that mother fucker isn’t missing; he is dead.

“Yeah, we thought maybe it had to do with that girl.” I give him a look of agitation, and he quickly puts his hands up. “Listen, listen, it’s my father. You know he is untrusting, but I urged him to hear reason. She isn’t known to kidnap.”

A low growl thrums in my throat, “I brought her fucking head, what more proof does he want?” I can’t speak like that about him to his son, so I take a deep breath and relax. “Apologies, I don’t like being questioned on my work.”

“All good—I get it. Between you and me, I think Clay just pissed the wrong person off. He was an ass. You didn’t do it right? I mean, the reports say you stormed out of the nightclub with your mated.”

“She broke it off with me, something about being too rough. While I was pissed, she went there knowing damn well she was mine. If anything, I should have killed her.” The anger that was lacing between my words aren't directed toward my little demon, but those three that had their hands on her. I know they are all dead, but that is a fucking mercy. At least Clay suffered, that is what will sedate my rising fury.

The elevator dings, “She’s gone somewhere now—maybe those two ran off together.”

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