Page 46 of The Sins That Bleed
“So, where are you taking us, Lady V? To your secret lair to fatten us up before you eat us?”
Sunny barks out a laugh before slapping a hand over her mouth. My brow furrows at the reaction but it doesn’t deter Nico. He jokes about which food he’d like to eat and eventually Sunny plays along.
I feel Valeska’s eyes on me so I turn to her, my brow raised in question. I wouldn’t be surprised if she owned all the hotels in this vicinity, able to open up a room for us. The corner of her red stained lips tips up before she speaks.
“Actually, you’re both moving in with us.”
CHAPTER 20
A Queens Protection
VALESKA
Turning up in person was a risk, but one I’d be willing to take again if I had to.
When I found out their apartments had been broken into, there was no other option in my mind than having them stay with me and Sunny. Somewhere they would be safe until Alaric is either put down or put away.
My blood boiled at the thought of someone entering the one place they could relax. I knew it was only a matter of time, and that I was a massive fucking hypocrite, but I’ve never felt a blood rage like it.
All these big feelings over a fuckingman.
Zyon had broken every speed limit to get here. Neither he nor Sunny had said a word on the way over, but I know they have questions. Rai and I have been at each other’s throats since we met, and I don’t give out protection easily.
How do I tell them that he’s trapped in my web, a beautiful ruby to add to my collection? I don’t want to eat him, not like that anyway.
I’d seen the worry etched into the lines of his face. Others may not have noticed it but the night’s events had shaken him. He is afraid for his friend and partner being targeted, and he’llprobably blame himself for dragging him into it even though they both have been working this case.
Nobody has said anything since I announced they were moving in, and the urge to shift in the awkwardness takes me by surprise.
I don’t usually give a fuck.
“This was personal, and Alaric is getting nervous that you’re making headway in the case. You’ll be under my protection until we get this case closed. My home is open to you until then. It’s not a request, agents. I got you into this mess, it’s the least I can do, you will want for nothing and I’ll have anything from your apartments delivered if you need it. I’ll replace anything that was broken, compris?”
Everyone in the car looks at me like I’ve grown a second head.
“What? I can be nice too, you know,” I grumble.
Nico and Sunny start talking over each other about how they never thought I wasn’t and how kind of me it is to offer. I don’t particularly care. I have a reputation for a reason, so it suits me that people don’t think I’m capable of doing nice things.
Rai doesn’t say anything. He continues to assess and study me in the darkness of the car, only lit by the streetlights as they pass by like a sped-up sun dial, the shadows snaking back and forth over his face like hands clawing at him, trying to keep him hidden, but I see everything.
He’s so striking, with his sharp jaw and neat moustache—once again I’m thinking about how that might feel against the soft flesh of my inner thighs. I shut down the thoughts, not wanting to go down that path right now. He’s safe and so is his partner, I’ve taken a liking to Nico, and that’s enough.
I think of all of us in this car, from the outside looking in, look like an odd bunch that would never be in the same circle. Lookunderneath the exterior though, and you’ll find we’ve all been touched by darkness in some way.
Like calls to like, after all.
“We appreciate your generosity, Valeska. We knew what we were signing ourselves up for by taking on this case and your assistance has been invaluable.” Rai’s low tone cuts across the car, quieting Nico and Sunny, my name on his tongue is like a whispered prayer to my ears.
I can tell he’s being genuine, and my stupid body betrays me as a million black moths take flight in my stomach.
I can see Nico and Sunny in my peripheral view, looking between the two of us and then at each other, trying to figure out the sudden change between Rai and me. We’ve been at tearing into each other until now, but something shifted between us that night he patched me up and took care of me.
The slowing of the car as we pull into the underground garage breaks the weird atmosphere.
“Thanks, Lady V, and you, butterfly.” Nico cracks a toothy grin at Sunny. “We appreciate you saving our asses from trying to find a hotel this late at night.”
I can sense Sunny’s blush at the nickname without even being able to see.
