Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 64030 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 320(@200wpm)___ 256(@250wpm)___ 213(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64030 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 320(@200wpm)___ 256(@250wpm)___ 213(@300wpm)
The three men exchanged glances.
“Do I look like a patient woman?” I asked.
They had no reply.
“Okay. I’ll give you gents a moment to chew on your next move.” I walked away and disappeared into the back, bending over to catch my breath.
“Impressive.”
I looked up to find Stark, wearing a sleek black suit, standing over me in the kitchen. His dark hair was neatly combed and tucked behind his ears.
“Son of a Bisquick, though?” He arched a dark brow, his pale eyes glittering with amusement.
“You need to stop sneaking up on me, Stark.” I righted myself. “By the way, your cuddly friends are lookin’ for ya.” I pointed over my shoulder toward the front of the house.
“They are not my friends, but I did enjoy listening to you run your little mouth. Very bold, considering who they are.”
“Who are they?”
“We call them wanderers, but they are more like vermin. They roam in small groups, going town to town, looking for a good meal. Then they move on.”
My eyes widened. They were here to kill people. “What do they want with you?”
He rubbed his chin slowly. “Ah, well, I happened to wipe out their leader a few months ago.”
I wasn’t about to ask why. Mostly because I didn’t care. “So they want revenge,” I concluded. This could be good, but like I said, the last thing I wanted was to trade Stark for three other terrifying vampires.
He laughed. “That is not how things work. They are here to offer their loyalty and to serve me. If I’ll have them.”
I cringed. So we were talking about adding more vampires to town. “And if you say no?”
“Then they will stay, kill, and move on.”
Kill? I didn’t like that option. “If you say yes?”
“They will serve me. And also wreak havoc on this town for many years to come.”
I blinked. “You can’t let them just run through town and start munchin’ down on everyone.”
“What would you have me do?” He folded his strong arms over his chest.
“Make them leave peacefully? Kill them? Either or.”
“What is in it for me?” he asked.
I’d fallen right into that one. “What do you want? And don’t say to accept me as your lover, mate, boyfriend, whatever.”
“I would like you to spend the night with me.”
A sour lump formed in my throat. “Like, as in, to do sex things?”
He nodded. “Not that I would force myself on you—rape is very unsportsmanlike as a vampire—but I see no point in hiding my intentions.”
“For the record, rape is never sportsmanlike for anyone. And I appreciate your honesty.”
“Do you accept my terms?” he asked.
Holy hot tater tots. I did not want to go along with this. Spending more than a minute in his presence was distressing, let alone an entire night. The thought made my stomach churn. Still, this was the opportunity I needed. An entire night together would allow me to dig deeper and learn my enemy. There had to be some way to scare him off. Everyone had a weakness. Even my aunt Loraina. Rest in peace. She died when I was little, but I remember thinking how the woman was made of rocks and spit. Nothing intimidated her. Finally, it was a bee that got her.
“I’ll be in your presence for the night,” I said, “but sex is off the table.”
He flashed a wicked smile. “Am I allowed to change your mind?”
He could try, but I wouldn’t be changing it. I was saving myself for marriage. Preferably with a living person. “Give it your best shot, cowboy, but don’t be breakin’ out the branding iron.”
He stared blankly.
“Don’t get your hopes up,” I clarified.
“Ah. Then we are in agreement.”
I nodded hesitantly.
“Are you certain?” he added. “Because I hear one of those men attacking your uncle in the warehouse as we speak.”
My stomach rolled. “What?”
“Your little woodchipper threat worked, and the three men left the bar two minutes ago. Now they are in your warehouse, dragging your uncle into their den.”
That hole was theirs? “Ohmygod! Stop them!”
Montgomery sighed. “Very well.”
I blinked, and he was gone. I sprinted out the back door, toward the warehouse, too frantic to even realize I had no weapon.
“Uncle Jimmie!” I pumped my arms and legs, moving as fast as my feet could carry me.
I entered the warehouse and found Jimmie lying facedown on the concrete. Stark was busy squeezing the life out of the bald vampire.
I rushed to Jimmie’s side and flipped him over. He had a gash on his neck where the blood trickled out at a liberal pace.
“Oh no. Oh no!” I took off my apron and pressed it over the wound to apply pressure. “Someone call an ambulance!” I yelled.
Stark tossed the limp vampire across the room, the body slamming against the block wall and then sliding down.
“Help him,” I pleaded, holding Jimmie in my arms, trying to stop the blood. “Get him to the hospital!”