Page 336 of Dirty Discipline, Vol. 1

The house was absolutely packed with people. No, not people, actually—vampires, unless she was mistaken. They were lounging on every sofa and chair, they were gathered talking in the kitchen and in the hallway. They lined the walls of the living room.

“What. The. Fuck.”

Fox caught sight of them from the kitchen and hurried forward, looking extremely anxious. Dom stepped back out on the porch and Fox followed, shutting the door.

“Dom. I'm sorry. I'll take care of it,” he said and she thought she saw real fear there. Then she looked at Dom and she saw why. His fangs were fully extended and he looked like he was ready to kill someone. He picked up Fox by the collar and threw him up against the door.

“What is going on?” Dom hissed.

“I gave my marker to Randolph. And then he brought in a few friends. And then they gave themselves as a marker and…” Fox looked sick. “They just keep showing up. But don't worry. I'll get rid of them. I'll find a place for them to stay tomorrow. Kate can help me rent a place for them in the morning.”

Dom's arm shot out and he pushed Kate firmly behind him again. “No, she can't. You keep her out of it.”

Stella's car pulled into the driveway and she flashed to the scene, standing next to Kate, protectively.

“I can help Fox, Dom,” Kate said.

“Shut up, Kate,” Stella said in a low voice. “Don't call attention to yourself.”

Dom held up his hand in the shape of a “C” and Fox started choking, dropping to his knees, his hands holding his throat.

“I'm sorry—” Fox choked out.

“Dom, stop!” she cried out, alarmed.

“Shh.” Stella covered her mouth and pulled her backward slowly. “Don't make eye contact,” she said softly. “He can't kill Fox that way, he's just punishing him.”

“What—what's he doing?” she said with alarm. “Is that the Darth Vader move?”

Dom released Fox, who stumbled back to his feet and faced Dom with his hands outstretched. “I'm sorry,” he said imploringly. “I know this is bad. I fucked up. But I will fix it. I will have every one of them out of here by tomorrow night.”

Dom ran his hands through his hair and then let out a snarling roar that was like no sound Kate had ever heard before.

“It's too late, dammit!”

“I know,” Fox said wretchedly. “I know. I'm so sorry.”

“Come on, I'll take you home.” Stella said in her ear.

“No, I'm not leaving,” she exclaimed, trying to pull her arm away from Stella's impossibly firm grip.

“You can't help either of them and Dom's dangerous right now.”

Dom had turned when he heard Kate speak and was looking at her with a look that could burn right through her. Like she was prey. There was a tense moment of silence as Stella tried to pull Kate backward and Kate struggled to free herself.

“Let her go,” he growled at Stella. “Now.”

Stella stood in front of her to block his view.

“She's mine,” he bit out, shoving Stella aside and looking at her with the same devouring stare. He put two hands around her waist and lifted her in the air as if she weighed nothing, then shifted her to just one arm wrapped around her legs, just below her butt, as he opened the front door. Looking back she saw Stella exchange worried glances with Fox. She balanced herself with her hands on his shoulders as he strode past all the vampires, opened the door to the stairs where she ducked to avoid getting her head whacked, and walked briskly down them with her.

“No blood, Dom!” Stella was following along behind, trying to get his attention. “Don't bite her. Look at me.”

He didn't look back, but he spoke through gritted teeth, “I won't bite.”

Stella stopped on the stairs meeting Kate's eye over the top of Dom's with a worried look. “Scream if he bites,” she said to her, sending a wave of panic through her. Dom whipped around and bared his fangs, hissing, which caused Stella to flinch and take a step backward.

So she officially had a death wish. If Stella and Fox's fear of their closest friend was any indicator, she should be very, very afraid right now. And she was. But he wouldn't really hurt her if he could help it. Would he? They had a trust between them that he knew when to stop. She prayed he would—or rather, could honor that this time.

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