Page 26 of Blood Taken (Blood Mafia 2)
"Did you call Zander a pussy?"
"Maybe."
Shaking my shoulders, he whoops. "You're going to fit right in, D." Then he runs and scoops up X from the shallow water, carrying her a few feet before tossing her ass into the deeper part. She squeals just before she goes under.
The water is lukewarm against my toes; cold enough to relieve the heat of the sun. I watch the friends chase each other and laugh with them, splashing along the shore and letting go of all my worries for the afternoon.
Later on the Jeep ride back to the barracks, I gaze at the vestiges of the sunset, wishing all the Hunters were as nice as this group.
X careens into a parking space, barely missing a post and slamming the SUV into park. "Oopsie," she says, not sounding a bit apologetic about her psychotic driving.
Maria is waiting outside building three.
"Uh-oh, looks like Mommy wants to spank you," Zander teases, elbowing me.
I roll my eyes at him. "She can try."
He smirks and I leave the group, walking up to her and crossing my arms.
"We need to talk."
Great.
Chapter Eight
Mateo
It's been two days since we met with Lacey, and she still hasn't been able to find a trace of Demi. Where could my little Hunter be?
Is she safe?
Blaze's snarling face flashes in my mind. Could he have taken her? If he hurts her, I'll tear through his pack, leaving nothing but tufts of fur and bone behind.
The wall collapses beneath my fist. Grayson looks up from his lunch, staring at where my hand is embedded.
Colt sighs. "That's the third time today."
Grayson sets his glass of blood down and wipes his mouth on the back of his hand. "She'll turn up."
He keeps saying that.
"Don't."
They share one of their looks.
"Mateo," Colt begins carefully, unbuckling and buckling the cuff of his suit. "We need to prepare for the possibility of Demi not returning."
I growl low in my chest and my fangs ache to puncture his skin, teaching him not to talk about Demi as though she's dead.
He holds up a hand to placate me. "I know how you must feel, but we've lived hundreds of years without her. We will continue living with or without her." His eyes pinch around the edges, like the mere thought of carrying on pains him.
"I don't want to do that," Grayson says in a low, dangerous voice.
Of the three of us, he's the least connected to her. He's yet to share blood with her, but that hasn't stopped his desire for her to be a part of his life.
"It won't happen," I promise them both. "I will not stop until that little vixen is found and she's threatening all of us once more."
They ease into their seats, soothed by my words. I sired them, and they trust me implicitly. Never in the time we've been together have I failed to do what I promise.
