Page 89 of A Bond Beyond Blood

“I’d like you to let me out of the blood bond.”

Vinny choked, coughing quickly to cover the sound.

My eyes widened, but pride swelled in my chest.That was my girl, strong and stubborn as my mama—maybe even more so.I doubted my mom would ever stare down a vampire the way Jackie glared at Eli right now.

Elias stared at her with a hint of amusement softening the hard planes of his chiseled face, but just plowed forward.“If it’s alright with you, I’d like you to come live with me.”

Jackie scoffed, then looked at Vinny before leveling Eli with a scathing glare.“You’re delusional if you think that would be all right with me.I don’t want you in my life at all.That much should be obvious every time you creep inside my head.”

Eli smirked.“Oh, something is certainly obvious in that pretty little head of yours,petit colibri, but I don’t think you’d like me to voice that observation in present company.”

Jackie swallowed audibly and her pulse sped faster.I tilted my head as Vinny tensed beside her, obviously putting the clues together as I did.A pang of jealousy pinched my chest even as I smiled smugly at the way Vinny’s muscles were so rigid.Fucking Riccis.Serves him right.

And, I mean, if I was going to see Jackie with someone other than me, I’d rather it be the vampire who’d spent the past week teaching me all the things I needed to know than aRicci.My lip curled in disgust at the thought.

With an annoyed huff, Jackie shook her head, motioning toward Elias.“Why are you ignoring what I said?I want out of the blood bond.”

Elias sighed and motioned to Vinny.

“Sweet girl,” he said to her and I bristled.“You can’t justget outof a blood bond.It’s...”He shrugged, waiting for her to understand.“It’s impossible.”

Jackie huffed.Fuck, I’d missed her stubbornness.“Nothing is impossible.”She glanced at me in the kitchen, then did a double take when she caught my grin.

“Why are you smiling like that?”

“Me?”I shook my head and schooled my expression.“No reason.”

Her eyes narrowed briefly, then she returned her focus to Elias.“There has to be something I can do, a loophole or some way to release me from a debt I didn’t even earn.”She huffed again, frustration evident in the tightness of her shoulders, the way her hands flew around as she spoke.“What will it take?”

“My death.”Elias had her up against the wall before I’d even realized he’d leapt toward her.

Vinny was on his feet, too, body tensed for a fight but keeping his distance.

I braced my hands on the counter as I leaned forward.How far would Elias go?He wouldn’t harm her, would he?He liked her...didn’t he?Had I misread the situation?

Jackie’s feet dangled a few inches above the beige carpet.Her hands fisted at her sides and indignation lit a fire in her eyes, but she didn’t whimper or beg.

“Tell me, dear Jack, are you ready to fight me again so soon?”

I swallowed hard, pulse speeding as I waited to see what would happen next.Was he the one who’d left those bruises all over her skin?I was worthless in a fight against either of these two vampires, Iknewthat, but maybe, if Vinny and I worked together—

Elias laughed and I jerked back from the sound.

“Promises, promises,” he said as he lowered Jackie to the ground.

My brow furrowed as I watched her cheeks turn red with anger, but then she dropped her gaze to the floor and growled, “Stay out of my head.”

“But it’s such a filthy, delightful place.”Elias chuckled again, then returned to Franco’s chair, pushing ahead as if he hadn’t just had Jackie against the wall.“When I reveal myself and regain my place on the throne, word will travel fast and my enemies will resurface.New enemies will be born.”

My eyes widened.Throne?

Vinny shifted, positioning himself slightly in front of Jackie as she stood where Elias had set her on her feet just a moment ago, but he didn’t seem particularly surprised by Elias’ words.“That’s it, then?”he asked, tipping his chin down.“That’s your plan?You want to rule again?”

“Wantis such a complex word.Sometimes we do what is required of us because it is the right thing to do—”

Jackie snorted but Elias ignored her.

“And I’ve grown bored of wandering.It gets quite lonely out there.”He waved his hand in the air in a dismissive flourish.“But I haven’t stayed away so long that the news hasn’t reached me.There are rumors, and the building troubles within the Council of Lords have me...”He canted his head to the side.“Well, how should I put this?Let’s say there’s reason for concern.”

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