Page 86 of Blood Taken (Blood Mafia 2)
Oh.
I glance at Zander. "Why's he here?"
Zander looks offended. "Because I'm not going to support fascism."
Sure thing, Zander. I'd be a fool to miss how he looks at Tyra. My guess is he followed her in hopes she'll find herself loving him someday.
"How long have you been together?" I ask Tyra and X.
"A year."
Wow. That's a long time to keep something a secret.
"What's the favor?"
X looks at Mateo. "We want to stay here."
I find my gaze straying to the boss. I'm not sure how he'll take this request, and if he'll even consider letting the Hunters stay.
Mateo's face is unreadable. Colt and Grayson share a look, of course they do, and have some silent conversation only they're privy to.
"Mateo—" I begin, but he cuts me off.
"They can stay, but you will be responsible for them. If they cause a problem, you will deal with it."
The way his eyes darken tell me how he expects me to deal with them if they stir up trouble.
"I'm going to need a bigger apartment."
He smirks. "I know. They can stay on level thirty-five, next to Colt's suite. You can stay with me."
I open my mouth to protest, but X claps her hands.
"Perfect. You won't regret this, boss man."
Tyra elbows X.
"What?" X whispers.
Zander's pained expression mirrors my own.
This is going to be a disaster.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Demi
After making sure the Hunters are settled in their apartment, I join the vampires in Colt's apartment.
Alissa left earlier to go out on a job with a few other vampires; Mateo sent her to go deal with some trouble down by Fisherman’s Wharf. I wanted to ask him to let her stay, but I don’t want to ask for too many favors in one day. Letting the Hunters stay is a big deal. Me inserting myself into Blood Mafia business wouldn’t go over well.
Grayson and Colt are sitting on the couch, talking quietly while Mateo stares out of the balcony window. I feel his awareness flare when I enter the apartment—like threads of string reaching for me—though he doesn't turn around.
My first instinct is to go to him. I stop mid-stride when I realize I'm halfway across the room already. Changing my path, I plop down between the other two.
Grayson lays his arm over my shoulder and Colt places his hand on my thigh. Mateo whirls around, narrowing his dark eyes on where they're touching me. I lift my chin, challenging him to say or do something.
He's not off my shit list yet. How he reacts next will determine if he has a permanent spot at the top of said list.
