Page 100 of The Demon's Fire
“I’m not your brother?”
“Sure. You’ll always be the brother I idolize. Now, you need to get dressed and come with us. I can help you walk, but you’ve got to put on your clothes.”
Dax looked down at his body. “Fuck.” He grabbed his pants, stepped into them, and yanked them up. Snatching his shirt, he labored into it.
Bounty footed it over to the O blud whore, grabbing a fistful of her straggly hair. With a rough hold on her, she marched her to the door, shoving her into the hallway. “If you ever service my brother again with your opiate-laced blood, I will seek you out and kill you. It’s my sacred promise.”
Dax slumped into a chair, his socks and boots on the floor in front of him. Bounty sat cross-legged, lifting a foot, brushing the dirt from his sole. She slipped a sock on him but struggled with his boot.
Dax brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. “Hey, beautiful Bounty.”
“Hey, Big D.”
“Whatcha doin, sis? Get off the floor.”
“Can’t. I’m helping my brother.”
“Your brother’s an asshole.”
Having finally gotten his one boot on, Bounty punched Dax’s thigh hard. “Nobody talks smack about him. Nobody. Shut up. He’s the best brother ever. Loyal, loving, kind, protective.” A tear slid down her cheek.
Dax took the other sock from her hand, put his foot in it, and jammed on his other boot.
Bounty turned to Brak. “Get his weapons.”
“Whoa, son. Nobody touches my blades.” Dax wobbled to his feet, shot Brak a feral warning, and grabbed his harness. Strapping it on, he loaded it with knives.
When he staggered, Bounty threw his arm over her shoulder, smiling up at him.
“Here, let us.” Hisfreronsset her aside to each grab under an armpit. They dragged Dax out of the O blud den.
As he looked behind him at Bounty, he watched quiet tears slip from her eyes. “I’m so sorry. Where are we headed, sis?”
“To a legit blud bar, bro. I’ve lined up a few volunteers to feed from you to drain off the drugs. Then you’ll fang a clean donor. When you report to Rein, you’ll be as good as new.”
“Yeah. As good as new.” His chin dropped onto his chest, his words soft. “I had to, baby girl. You know that. Right?”
“I don’t judge you, Dax. I love you.”
He heard her sniffle. He caused grief. Tears. That’s what he did.
Dax snarled between his teeth at the two carrying him. “If you ever bring my sweet, innocent sister to a hell hole like this again, I’ll cut out your hearts after I drink you dry. Are we clear?”
“Crystal,” said Ram.
Dax swallowed hard before he continued. “And, please, don’t tell Rein, Kole, or anyone how a sonofabitch like me is her brother. It’ll ruin her. Swear it.” The drugged Firebrand stumbled as his head bobbed on his chest.
“I swear.” Ram adjusted Dax’s weight.
“I swear, too, Dax. Never a word.” Brak fixed him with a serious gaze.
ChapterTwenty-Four
Nicostrode into the office as if he owned the place, snagging a chair, flipping it around, and straddling it, the back to his chest. Sabine took up residence in the seat beside him.
Behind the desk despite the late hour, a huge, mean looker with a scar through his brow, a short military cut, and a look that said he was too cool to shave everyday started the convo. “So, you’re Nico Abello?”
“I am. And you are?”
