Page 27 of Vampire Nights (La Vega Vampire Showstoppers 1)

I close my eyes and bury my face into the crook of Monroe’s throat. The world blurs, and only the faint holler of Mr. Pala reaches me as the glass door of The Pala closes. Cool air blows my hair from my neck, and I don’t say anything or try to look around until Monroe slows down.

A bright red convertible idles in the valet drive, and Monroe sets me onto the front seat and quickly buckles a harness over my chest. Hopping over the doorframe, he gets behind the wheel and hits the throttle, sending the silent car barreling forward and onto the Strip.

I shift and look at him, my heart still pounding in overdrive but not with fear. “How did you find me?”

Tapping a button on the dash, Monroe turns on the auto-pilot and removes his hands from the wheel. “I saw Sawyer’s dumbass leave your cute ass at the pool and was about to approach you when I saw Perry grab you. I knew some bullshit was going down, so I called in a favor with Walcott. He was itching to fuck some people up. Knox and Sawyer are watching Aris now. He won’t even know. You’re safe, okay? We’ll hang out at the Bella until it’s time for you to go back.”

I lick my lips and swallow. “I don’t want to. Please, just...” My voice fades. What am I saying? I can’t just ask some vampire to hide me. I have friends—family—at the Aris. It’s my home. Without me, they might take the brunt of Alexander’s anger. And Opal? She would be devastated.

Monroe rests his cool hand on my knee. “You know I want to. I want to drive out of this fucking city and take you with me, but things are complicated.”

I sigh. “Why? What is it about Alexander that scares you all? You fucking cut tongues out and force people to swallow them.”

Chuckling, Monroe leans closer, touching my cheek. “You’re hurting my ego, little bird. No one scares me.”

I lift an eyebrow. “Mmmhmm. Keep telling yourself that.”

He flashes his fangs with his smile. “You’re going to get yourself in trouble, teasing me like that. I like it far too much.”

“Your kind of trouble doesn’t scare me. It excites me.” I bite my lip between my teeth. “I don’t think I’ve ever felt this way, you know.”

“What way, little bird?” He lowers his voice, peering into my eyes.

I kiss him softly. “I don’t want to jinx it.”

Because for the first time in my life, riding in this car with a crazy-ass vampire who unexplainably punishes people on my behalf, I feel free.

If only it could last.

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