Page 19 of Marked
Every inch of the building is run by a strange mix of humans and supernaturals. Most of the guards appeared to be supes. Shifters and vampire as the norm. Could they be part of the elusive Lock Lake Colony?
Probably. But I noticed most of the staff is human. Maximus included.
Though none of them seemed fearful of the Captain or any of the others, it was the exact opposite, actually. More a respect built on years under the same roof.
So how the hell do they work so well together?
I shake my head and climb from the water. Grabbing my shoes, I pad back into the cooler room.
The walls are a thick, scrolled cherry wood. Every inch of the space breathes vitality and darkness. The heavy four-poster bed houses high rails and soft curtains. Thick pillows and an ornate bedspread in gold. Everything is luxurious. Expensive.
But empty. Quiet. It’s more than being here. It’s Uncle Vic’s betrayal. The cruelty.
All for the sake of the dealer and the money he could bring in.
The shows at Carnage were bad enough. But selling drugs ... Drugs that can make even supernaturals, with their fast metabolisms, intoxicated ... It’s asking for trouble.
“At least the vampire did one thing right. The doors to Carnage are closed and they don’t ever have to open again,” I say under my breath. “Not if I can help it.”
The whole place is worn down. Dry kindling in a derelict package. Years of pain rolls through me, haunting and turning my insides to ice. I shudder. One match. That’s all it would take to burn the place to the ground.
A heavy knock sounds on the door. My head whips over.
“Lilah?” The Captain’s rasping tone rolls through me like a wave.
Damn it.
I walk over and undo the little lock. Of course, if he really wanted in, the single lock wouldn’t stop him.
He peers down at me from his impressive height. It takes all of one pass with my eyes before I have to groan inwardly.
Nope. Still as sexy as before.
His dark hair is damp, like he just showered. Indeed, his spicy fragrance has deepened, filling my nose in a heady cloud.
I cough to clear my throat and open the door for him to enter. “Captain.”
“Ruin.”
I blink up at him. “Huh?”
“My name is Ruin.”
I take in the solid curve of his thighs in their leathers, the thick pair of boots on his feet, and the dark bands around his wrists. I inhale. “I bet.”
He slips past me, that dark gaze sweeping every corner of the ostentatious space. “Maximus got you settled in, I see.”
I debate strongly on leaving the door open and then close it softly. “Yeah. Thank you. By the way.”
His head turns. “For?”
I gesture around us. “Bringing me here. It was ...niceof you.”
His lips curve as I hesitate on that one word. “Oh, I didn’t do it for you.” My stomach knots. “No offense, but you’re human.”
I stiffen. “And you’re a fucking vampire. Are we stating things we already know?”
That makes him pivot to face me. All the air in the room disappears, pulled in by his towering frame or maybe just his fragrance. “Sure. Let’s try that, shall we?” He stalks closer, those thick, metal studded boots silent on the carpet. “You’re the apparent niece of a criminal mastermind.” He holds up a finger. “Said criminal mastermind owned and operated an illegal Haven under your nose.” Another finger goes up. “You never contacted the authorities, and continued to work for said criminal until tonight.”
