Page 34 of Marked
“Did Markus handle him? The leader?” I ask, voice quiet.
She smiles softly. “Oh yeah.” She scrubs at her face with her free hand. “There was a lot of hell over it. But the dickhead is dead now.”
“Did Markus kill him?”
“He wanted to,” she admits. “But it’s bad for the colony and bad for him.”
“Why?”
“Markus is older than any vamp here. His past—in Europe ... It’s just better for him not to take up a sword again.”
Oh.
She turns to me, taking in the angry color in my face or maybe the rapid beat of my heart. “When was the last time you had any fun?” she asks, changing the subject.
“Um—”
“So it’s been a while?”
My mouth opens and closes like a fish.
“If I wasn’t married, I’d date you myself.” I stare at her as she speaks, not a hundred percent sure she is joking. “Just to show you a good time. Granted, I doubt Markus would be mad if he could watch.”
I laugh, surprised, and she smiles.
“I’m not saying you have to, but come to Underground tonight as a guest. See if there is something you want there. Or someone.And go for it.” I start to speak and she holds up a hand. “I’m not asking for a forever deal, Lilah. But have a good time. Enjoy life.”
“I don’t—”
“And when you’re done,” she says, tugging on my hand to get me into the chair beside her. “Get a good night’s sleep and get your ass to Underground tomorrow for work.”
My teeth dig into my lip. “Raina ...”
She leans over and kisses me gently on the cheek. I flush scarlet. “Just one night, Lilah. Take one night to do something foryou. All the worries will still be there tomorrow. But now you’ll have me to help work through them.”
I stare at her, and the first unfurling of warmth tickles my insides.
Friendship. She’s offering friendship. And that is something I never had even with my kind.
My eyes burn, but I offer her a watery smile. “How fancy of a club is Underground?”
Chapter 17
Ruin
I stand outside Lilah’s door, fist raised to knock. Fucking Markus. The last thing I need to do is babysit her.
Not that she should need it as a grown damn woman. But if she is Vic’s heiress, or worse yet, the true mastermind behind Carnage ...
I lean my head against the door. She probably doesn’t even want to see me after earlier. And who can blame her?
My thirst left me acting like an ass.
It wouldn’t be surprising if she was off with Caine right now. Goddess knows the Asmodean demon has quite a few tricks in the bedroom.
I shove the thought away, unwilling to even consider it.
Questions. That’s it. It’s the only reason I’m here. We need answers and Lilah has them. If she has a hand in any of that shit at Carnage, she will go down with her guardian. And I won’t lose any sleep over it.
