Page 84 of Blood Taken (Blood Mafia 2)
I'm polishingoff the French fries when we make it back to the parking garage. The driver pulls into a spot and shuts the engine off. He makes no moves to leave and doesn't speak.
"What's with the minion?" I ask Mateo, sipping my lemonade.
"He's under compulsion but well taken care of."
I frown. "So you keep him here as a servant?"
Mateo's dark gaze searches my face. "This man stormed into my building three years ago and tried to kill a bunch of vampires with a shotgun. He's lucky to be alive. So yes, I keep him here under my compulsion because if I let him go, those he tried to attack will rip him to shreds."
His explanation doesn't make it any better, but if this is as close to freedom as the man can get without dying, I can't insist he be let go. I'm not going to be responsible for a human's death. Even if it is his fault for trying to attack vampires.
Yeah, you're one to talk.
My situation is a little different, okay? I was taken by them, I didn't come for them, and they all had a fair warning several times. It's not my fault they didn't listen.
We get out of the car and head to the elevator. The silence that settles over us isn't awkward, more like we're confident in the quiet and don't need to fill it with pointless small talk.
There's so much that could be said, but I think we both know not to get into that right now. Not after the night we had. We can discuss everything after we have hot, hate-filled sex.
Well, I'd be lying if I said I hate Mateo.
Fine, we can bang with aggressive feelings and hair pulling, that works for me too.
Out of habit, I hit the button for floor twenty-seven. Mateo doesn't correct me, and I am pleased he's not making me go to his suite. The comfort of my apartment will make it easier for me to relax, if you can even consider being around Mateo relaxing.
Mateo groans when he sees Alissa at my door. "Expecting company?"
I smirk at his obvious disappointment. "No, I wonder what she wants."
Alissa's blonde hair is hanging in loose curls and she chews on her lip as we approach.
"What's up?" I ask. "Why do you look so nervous?"
She glances to Mateo, gulps, and then presses her eyebrows together. "Uh, you have—" she searches for a word "—friends?"
I laugh. "I think so? I mean, I thought we were friends."
Shaking her head, she tucks a piece of hair behind her ear. "No, I meant you have friends here. Now. Colt and Grayson have them on the seventh floor."
"Lexi?"
"No. Hunters."
Mateo growls.
I pin him with a stern look. "None of that. What makes you think they're my friends?"
She shrugs. "They didn't try to kill us. They showed up at the restaurant asking for Demi."
I press my lips together. Did Gerry send Hunters after me?
Mateo flashes away, no doubt going to see who the hell is here. Alissa and I share a look of exasperation.
"We better go before he rips their heads off."
I sigh. "He better not, he's finally out of the junk punch zone."
Alissa giggles and flashes away. I rush after her, zooming down the stairs until we reach the seventh floor.
