Page 40 of Three Bites

But he didn’t scream for help after Theo started talking about Victoria and how we wanted to aid her. We couldn’t get into the nitty-gritty details then, but I made sure Will knew our intentions and how to reach me to arrange a proper meeting.

I knew about the weekly communication between him and his sister and, just as I hoped, Will had reached out after talking to Victoria, and here we were. In a hotel room, after one of my precious Sanguine who specialized in diverting attention with their Naga abilities ensured neither Will nor Theo and I were followed here.

“She told me to trust you,” Will said, even as his sweaty palms betrayed how nervous he was.

A sense of triumph and affection shot through me. Victoria had faith in us. I was going to cradle that trust in my hands and hold it as delicately as I could.

“You should trust us, for her sake,” Theo nodded resolutely. “We have to get her out of there. The things they are doing to her...”

A pained expression shot through Will’s face as his eyes closed for a tormented second.

“I suspected...” he said hoarsely. “Victoria couldn’t always completely hide the bruises... Tell me, tell me what those bastards are doing to her. And then...” his mouth settled into a grim line. “...tell me how we are going to make them pay.”

Chapter Nineteen

Victoria

The push came to shove only a day later.

Theo popped up in the garden, where I was watering the plants while Matthias hid under the shade of an awning. From what the vampires told me the sunshine didn’t bother them in small doses but sunbathing was still inadvisable.

“It’s time,” Theo said, for once serious, no trace of his usual smile visible.

I followed after the two men, my fingers picking at the edge of my t-shirt nervously. They brought me to the room where it all started. At the conference table Jonas and Tristan faced each other. I should have focused on them but my gaze darted to Carl, standing to the side. His arms were crossed and a scowl was prominent on his face. He was in a bad mood. I knew what Carl in a bad mood meant. My feet froze. A firm hand on the small of my back and a cold but gentle grip on my wrist brought me back to myself. I sent a feeble smile Matthias’s way and stepped forward.

They were going to keep me safe.

“Here she is, one Victoria Clement delivered,” Jonas waved an uncaring hand at me. “A finishing touch to add to our deal. Now, your signature, if you please.”

The mafia don slid the paper, already signed by Jonas from what I could see, toward Tristan.

“I still think we should keep her,” Carl protested. “You are making a mistake, father.”

The mafia leader stood up, drawing himself up to his full height, and looked at his son with what looked like disgust.

“I expect better from you than to make business decisions with your dick, son,” he said coldly. “Miss Clement, please accept my apology for the treatment my son subjected you to. After all, we will be seeing each other again, now that the Cornello family and the Sanguine are working closely together, and I wouldn’t want any bad blood between us.”

“O-of course,” I stuttered out even though I was pretty sure I was going to do everything in my power to never meet Carl or Jonas again.

“It’s done,” Tristan said as he finished the last check of the contract and signed his name with a flourish.

The two men shook hands.

Carl stared at me and when I looked back at him he silently mouthed at me.

“You are mine.”

I leaned into Matthias’ side just to see his eyes fill with impotent rage.

“Now, we still have some details to discuss,” Jonas smiled, proud of the deal he just made.

“Theo, please stay, Matthias, take Victoria home. We will join you as soon as we can,” Tristan ordered.

I turned without a word and left the room. Matthias followed after me like a loyal dog. Only when I was out in the corridor did I let myself lean on a wall and hyperventilate a little.

“Victoria? Vic?” Matthias asked worriedly, his hands hovering near me but not touching.

“I’m alright,” I said, once I centered myself.

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