Page 87 of Blood Taken (Blood Mafia 2)
Crossing his arms over his chest, he works his jaw hard enough I see his muscles jump and hear his teeth grind.
"The Hunters are going to be an issue," he finally says.
"We will keep an eye on them." Colt sounds so confident.
"Do they have their powers yet?" Grayson asks me.
"X and Tyra don't. Zander does."
Mateo nods. "Good. One full blown Hunter is better than three. It will give the others time to adjust to their presence."
"So you're not going to kick them out?"
The vampire blinks at me. "Why would I kick your friends out?"
"Uh, because they're Hunters?"
"They're your people. Besides, four Hunters within the Blood Mafia could have its advantages."
I settle against Grayson's side and thread my fingers with Colt's. Mateo turns away from us, though I feel a flare of dark possessive anger sweep over me.
"I don't know if they will be excited about the prospect of working for you."
"They do not have a choice. They came here knowing what it meant to ask permission to stay."
"How do you know that?" I ask him, moving from the couch to stand in front of him.
He gazes down at me. "Because, Maria and Nicole would have told them what to expect."
Of course. How else would they have known where to find me?
I place my hand on his chest. "I won't let you hurt them."
Mateo's eyes are nearly full black. "If they do not break my rules, I will not hurt them."
"Okay. Good." I can't argue with him on that. They did ask to stay here. If they want a haven, they have to play by the rules.
Now I have to figure out how to ensure the other vampires don't hurt them.
* * *
A promise is a promise,so I leave Colt's room with Mateo, heading back to his suite. When we arrive at his place, he leads me into the kitchen, undoing his tie and tossing it on the counter. He opens a bottle of wine and pours two glasses.
I take the one he offers me. "Thanks."
He nods, holding his between two fingers as he drinks. He seems content to stare and watch me squirm. Being the sole focus of his attention isn't as stressful as it used to be; I don't feel consumed by his power when I meet his gaze. I know if he tried to compel me I'd be able to resist.
My skin ripples with gooseflesh when there's a strong tug on the bond between us, almost as though he's using it to move me toward him. I resist the pull and narrow my eyes. The wine he opened is an expensive one and I can taste the dollars weeping over the grapes, the smooth, slightly bitter Malbec made with the finest of fruit.
I'm not a sommelier, but I've drunk enough to recognize a wine meant to be savored and treasured. So despite wanting to gulp down the glass, I take a tentative sip and tip my head, studying the vampire as hard as he's studying me.
The tug on the bond stops and turns into a whisper of a touch. Every hair on my arm stands as the connection brushes against me like nails softly scratching over my skin.
"Stop that," I say and take another drink.
Mateo sets his glass down, crosses his tattooed arms, and leans against the wall by the refrigerator. "Stop what?"
"Whatever you're doing."
