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DEOCTRA STOOD IN THE doorway of the dark, cold cellar fighting hard to suppress a shiver. On the floor, with what appeared to be a crystal chain strapped around his right wrist and ankle, Mikhel lay naked and unconscious.
Also naked, Lina straddled his body, cupping her small breasts in her hands and moaning as she repeatedly impaled herself on Mikhel’s large cock.
Deoctra clenched her hands into fists. “What are you doing to him?”
Lina glanced over her shoulder. Their gazes met and locked. Deoctra looked into the other fem’s dark eyes and saw an endless dark pit.
Lina leered. “Having a little fun.”
Deoctra swallowed slowly, noting the healing marks on Mikhel’s handsome face. “You’ve tortured him and now you’re raping him. That’s not what we agreed to.”
“Yes. Oh yes, I know, but when I saw the size of his cock, I couldn’t help myself. I had to have him.” Her eyes glowed. “He has the most divine cock. No wonder you couldn’t get over him.”
Memories of the days when she and Mikhel had been a couple rushed at Deoctra with the force of a gale wind. She remembered the first time she’d tasted him. The flavor of his cock and his cum had driven her nearly mad with hunger. She had been content to stand by and allow him to taste lust with other women—confident that when he was ready to settle down, he’d return to her. Instead he had fallen for a blonde, human whore. All her hopes and dreams had been dashed into tiny pieces.
The pain his betrayal had engendered had driven her to an ill-advised plan for revenge. Two of her younger sisters had paid with their lives. When all had seemed lost, she had met Leon. Leon. As improbable as a match between a vampire and a shifter was, she had been happy with him—until Mikhel’s nephew, Acier Gautier, had killed him.
His death had rekindled her desire for revenge. She longed to see Mikhel suffer for all the pain and anguish that had begun with his betrayal. She touched her stomach. Now that she saw him helpless and at the mercy of a fem who had none, feelings of revulsion and remorse overwhelmed her.
She flashed across the room. “Get the hell away from him.” She snatched Lina off him and flung her against the far wall.
Lina bounded to her feet and went into a crouching position, baring her incisors. “Bitch. For now, he’s all mine. If you want some cock, you’ll just have to wait your turn. Now get out of my way.”
Mikhel groaned softly and Deoctra glanced quickly over her shoulder. His lids fluttered up. She saw resignation in his eyes as their gazes met.
She tore her gaze away from his and turned her attention back to Lina. “You know this is not what I intended.”
Lina laughed. “Frankly, I don’t give a fuck what you intended. He’s here now and he’s mine. And there’s absolutely nothing you can do about it.”
Deoctra smiled. “You know, it’s been quite a while since I beat anyone’s ass.” She beckoned to the other female. “Come get your ass kicked from here into the next county, bitch.”
Lina somersaulted into the air. Deoctra flashed forward and leaped upward, closing her fingers around the other fem’s neck just as her feet were about to touch the floor. Landing lightly on her own feet, she slammed Lina onto her back on the floor and straddled her body. She wrapped both hands around her neck and glared down into the dark, hate-filled eyes staring up at her. “Don’t you ever challenge me again, bitch, or you won’t live very long. Now you remove those damned chains from him and I’ll take him and leave.”
“Oh, I don’t think so.”
Keeping her grip on Lina’s neck, Deoctra glanced over her shoulder and tensed. Crowded into the cellar were several members of the brotherhood. She bounded to her feet, dragging Lina upright along with her. Wrapping her forearm around Lina’s windpipe, she flashed across the room to stand in front of Mikhel’s prone body.
She addressed the young, blue-eyed vampire who had spoken. “This is between me and Lina. Don’t make the mistake of getting on my bad side, Lover.”
The full-blood called Lover shook his head. “Oh no.” He cast a quick glance at Mikhel. “I want a piece of him. I’m going to bust that tight ass of his open.”
The thought of Lover’s short, fat, greedy cock pushing its way into Mikhel’s ass enraged Deoctra. “No. You stay away from him or I swear I’ll kill you.”
Lover laughed. “I might be impressed, except that there are four of us and only one of you.”
Lina’s fingers clawed at her arm. Deoctra tightened her forearm around the other fem’s throat. “I’m warning you, Lover, if you touch him, you won’t live long enough to regret it.”
Lover looked at the three vampires flanking him and laughed. “I’m shivering in my boots. If I were you, I’d leave while we’re still prepared to allow it.”
She heard zippers being lowered and sucked in a breath. All four males had popped out their cocks and were looking at Mikhel.
Deoctra swallowed. There was no way she could protect Mikhel from four full-blood vampires. And she didn’t want to save him from sodomy enough to risk her own life. Why should she try to save him after all the grief he had caused her?
Yet, she knew she would not be able to walk away knowing what they planned to do to him. She stared at Lover. “I’m leaving but let me remind you all just who he is. He is Mikhel Dumont, younger brother of Aleksei and Vladimir Madison.”
“So?”
“So just what do you think they’ll do when they learn you’ve violated their little brother?”
“I hear Aleksei is out of state and I can assure you Vladimir will not care. Hell, he might even want a piece of that tight-looking ass himself. You know he’s an ass man. Now get out or die, bitch.”
Deoctra stood her ground. “He wouldn’t touch his own brother. And even if Aleksei is out of state, don’t forget, Luc is his mentor. Just what do you think he’ll do to each of you if you touch the favorite brother of his pet vampire? I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t want Luc mad at me.” Noting a hint of fear in each vampire’s gaze, she was satisfied they would leave Mikhel alone—for the time being.
She looked at Mikhel. Fight them as long as you can.
Why? What’s the point? I’m in no shape to offer any real resistance.
I have to go, but I’ll get help.
Where?
I don’t know where. You just hold them off for as long as you can.
Isn’t this what you wanted?
You know you tore my heart out when you left me for that human whore, but this is not what I wanted.
She felt his remorse. I never wanted to hurt you, but I couldn’t help that you weren’t my bloodlust. You know I had no choice. I either pursued her or risk losing my mind, but I never wanted you hurt.
To her surprise, tears stung her eyes because she knew he spoke from the heart. And she understood. One had to pursue one’s bloodlust, as she had pursued him. For the first time, she looked at him and saw not a male who had broken her heart, but one who no longer held power over her. If she could manage to somehow get them both out of this mess alive, she could finally get on with the new phase of her life.
This is not what I intended. I’ll get help. Hold on!
He inclined his head.
She flung Lina across the room and then flashed past the four vampires in a blur. She fled at full speed until she was several miles from the cellar. Only then did she slow down and pull out her cell phone. Breathing deeply, she dialed a familiar number in Boston. She paused, her finger hovering over the button that would connect the call.
If she called Palea Dumont, she might be signing her or her remaining sisters’ death warrants. Mikhel’s mother would surely be furious when she realized that Deoctra had set the plan in motion that had resulted in Mikhel’s being kidnapped, tortured and raped. And then there was the question of what was happening to Serge in Africa. Although she didn’t think Bellamonte would physically harm Serge, she couldn’t swear to it.
She shook her head, holding the phone against her chest. No. She couldn’t call Palea Dumont. She glanced back the way she had come. She couldn’t call Palea, but she couldn’t leave Mikhel to be raped either.
This was a hell of a time for Falcone to disappear.
What could she do? Who could she call to help save Mikhel who would understand that she had never intended to put him in the position he was now in? Aleksei was out of state and couldn’t arrive in time to help Mikhel. She feared Tatiana’s reaction. That left Vladimir. Although she knew from Vitali that he felt no particular affection for Mikhel, he surely wouldn’t allow Lover and the others to rape him. And he, of all Palea’s children, would be more inclined to understand how easily hastily made plans could go wrong.
She punched out his number and placed the phone against her ear.
* * * * *
“ARE YOU GOING TO TELL Tatiana and the others?”
Vlad stopped pacing the length of the living room he shared with his bloodlust Adam Cady. He looked at the handsome blond whose love had begun the mental healing process for him. “No.”
Adam, seated on the loveseat with the Keddi, Slayer, perched on his shoulder, frowned. “You’re going after him by yourself?”
“Who says I’m going after him at all? How do I know she isn’t lying? She’s had it in for Mikhel ever since he dumped her for Erica. And she has reason to hate me. I nearly killed her. If she thinks I’m going to walk into a trap, she’s sadly mistaken.”
Adam exploded off the loveseat. “I heard the urgency in her voice, Vladimir. She wasn’t lying. You have to get to him—and you have to get to him before they rape him.”
Vlad bared his incisors. “What makes you think that thought bothers me? His tight ass could use a fucking.”
Adam crossed the room and stared at him, his blue eyes blazing. “I don’t believe you just said that. You take your jealous ass out of here and you rescue him, Vladimir, or I swear, I’ll never forgive you.”
Slayer, a sentient shape-shifter who had pledged allegiance to Vlad’s son, Etienne, and was currently shifted into the shape of a miniature Vladimir, flew off Adam’s shoulder. He hovered in the air in front of Vladimir’s face, his tiny chest puffed out. “Slayer go with Father to protect little brother.”
“Later, Slayer,” he said and turned his attention back to Adam. “What? Are you threatening me?”
“Call it what you like. If you think I’ll stay with you, knowing you turned your back on your own brother when he needed you most, you’re an ignorant ass fool.”
Vlad glared at Adam. “Don’t threaten me.”
Adam’s hand shot out, his palm stinging his cheek. “It’s not a threat, you ignorant bastard. You take your sorry ass out of here and you rescue him or I’ll never speak to you again.”
Adam lifted his hand to slap him again. This time Vlad caught Adam’s wrist before his palm could connect with his face. “Slap me again and—”
Slayer, clearly agitated and uncertain whose side he wanted to be on in the dispute, resumed his natural form, that of a tiny, majestic gray wolf, and flew across the room to the mantel to watch.
Adam jerked his wrist away and slapped Vlad again. “And what? What will you do? Beat me? Go ahead. It’s not like you have anything better to do—like save your little brother. What do you think Aleksei is going to say when he finds out you allowed Mikhel to be hurt when you could have saved him?”
Vlad bared his incisors. “Don’t you throw Aleksei in my face!”
“No. I shouldn’t. I mean, it’s not as if you’re half the vampire or big brother he is. It’s an insult to him to even mention his name in the same breath as yours.”
Vlad clenched a hand into a fist and swung it up toward Adam’s face.
Adam lifted his chin and stared at him, his blue eyes filled with what looked like hatred. “Go ahead. Hit me. It’s not as if you haven’t done it before. It’s what I’ve come to expect from you.”
Adam’s reference to the time a year earlier when Vlad had lost his temper and knocked him out sent a chill of remorse through Vlad. He dropped his hand to his side and stepped back. “Why are you doing this? Why are you trying to push my buttons?”
Adam shook his head. “I’m trying to reach you, Vladimir. You can’t stand by and not help him. I’ve called Katie and Palea, but I can’t reach them. You’re the only family member who knows where he is. Please help him.”
“No.”
“For me?”
Vlad stiffened and narrowed his gaze. “Why should you care about him?”
“I care about him because Katie is my best friend and she loves him. He’s her big brother. And I care about him because he has some of the same blood running through his veins as you do. God knows why, but I love you. Help him, Vladimir.” Adam touched his cheek. “For me?”
“Fuck you.” He flashed out of the room. Slayer shifted back to a miniature of Vlad—complete with long, silky dreadlocks and blue eyes—and flew after him. At the front door, he turned and took a deep breath. He glanced back toward the living room where he could hear Adam pacing. He stroked a finger down Slayer’s cheek. “Go back and protect him,” he said softly.
Slayer shook his head. “Go with Father. Slayer warrior class Keddi...strong and fierce. Protect Father’s back.”
Having the diminutive creature call him father always gave Vlad a secret thrill. He smiled. “Stay here and protect Father’s interest.”
“Want to help,” he protested.
“I know. If something happened to Adam...”
Slayer expanded his chest. “Will stay and protect.” He leered at Vlad. “Maybe fuck tight ass too.”
Vlad laughed. Slayer had been in lust since meeting Adam, as Vlad himself had been. “In your dreams,” he said and left the house.
* * * * *
HURT AND ANGRY AT ADAM’S words, Vlad sat in the darkened cab of his SUV. Damn Adam and everyone else who expected him to go charging to the rescue like Aleksei. He was not Aleksei. Why the hell did everyone keep telling him what Aleksei would do?
Aleksei could risk his life to save the worthless Mikhel, but damn if he would. Recalling his enigmatic conversation with Vitali, he realized the other vampire had probably approved Mikhel’s kidnapping. If Vlad attempted to interfere with the Brotherhood’s plans, he’d have to face them down by himself. Although he normally didn’t fear death, he had begun lately to think life just might be worth living after all. Not only did he have a bloodlust, he had a son he was fiercely proud of and a sister-in-law who happily welcomed him into her bed and arms whenever he felt a need for love with a woman.
There was no way in hell he was going up against a bunch of crazy vampires to save Mikhel. The dumbass baby vamp had gotten himself into his present shit, he could get out the same way.
Vlad slammed his foot on the gas pedal and sent his SUV speeding down the road in the opposite direction from where Deoctra had said Mikhel was being held. Held and tortured. Possibly gang raped by centuries-old vampires.
He swallowed slowly. The vampires involved knew Vlad and knew Mikhel was his brother. Although Mikhel was a brother Vlad didn’t give a damn about, he was a brother, nonetheless. Many vampires felt no affection for their relatives. Everyone who knew Vlad knew he and his siblings would gladly die to protect each other. The vampires holding Mikhel knew he was Vlad’s brother...his little brother. Knowing that, they still dared to touch him?
Without conscious thought, Vlad took the first off-ramp he came to, turned his SUV around, got back on the interstate and sped down the highway. God help any state trooper foolish enough to try to stop him. An hour later, he stopped outside a dilapidated motel. Leaving the engine running and the keys in the ignition, he jumped out of the SUV and rushed inside the dark building.
Vlad paused in the lobby, listening. He sniffed the air and caught a familiar scent that sent him rushing forward through the dark. He located a closed door secured with a chain, which he easily snapped. Pulling the door open, he quickly descended the stairs.
At the bottom of the cellar steps, a pair of glowing eyes stared at him from the dark basement.
Mikhel, naked and bruised, sat up against the wall, a relieved sigh escaping his lips. “Aleksei? I knew you’d come.”
Mikhel’s assumption that Aleksei would come to his rescue annoyed the hell out of Vlad. He was sick to death of hearing about Aleksei, as if his twin had no faults, and he himself possessed no virtues.
He shook his head. “Sorry to disappoint you, but Aleksei is in Arizona.”
Noting the hope go out of Mikhel’s eyes when he realized he was not Aleksei, Vlad felt a particular twisting in his chest. Ever since he had learned of Mikhel’s existence, he had longed to see him injured or even killed. But seeing the baby vamp with who he shared a bloodline injured and without hope, he felt an unexpected sense of rage.
Although he felt no great love for Mikhel, he knew Aleksei and Palea did.
“I see you’ve discovered our little pet. Would you like to have a go at him?”
At the amused voice, Vlad swung around and stared at the speaker, a tall, slim female he sensed was a nocturene. He stared at her. “Pet? Did you say pet?”
“Yes.” She ran her tongue along her lips. “At times we pet him. At other times we fuck him until his cock goes limp. At other times, when he misbehaves, we beat him.”
“You what?”
“We beat him.”
Vlad swallowed slowly. “Are you aware of who I am?”
“Yes. Even with the older vamps, you have quite a rep as a bad-ass.”
“And do you know who he is?”
“He’s our pet.”
A knot of rage rose in Vlad’s throat. He gave into his instinct and backhanded the fem. Her slender body flew across the room. Even before she fell against the wall several feet from Mikhel, Vlad raced after her and reached down to close his fingers around her slender throat.
Ignoring her struggles, he lifted her in the air until her feet dangled a foot above the floor and he could stare into her eyes. “Your pet is my brother, and I will be damned if I’ll stand by and watch you torture him.” Tossing her aside, he moved across the floor and bent down to Mikhel. He grabbed the chains securing Mikhel’s ankle and wrist. Why hadn’t Mikhel broken free? Even a baby vamp should be able to break crystal chains.
He soon learned they were not ordinary chains. As he struggled to snap them, the fem got to her feet and raced from the room. He could hear her calling for help.
Mikhel looked at him. “She’s getting help. There are too many of them. You should go.”
“And leave you? Aleksei would never forgive me.”
Mikhel swallowed hard. “Is that the only reason you’re trying to help me?”
“Yes.” He grabbed the chain again and this time managed to break the one around Mikhel’s wrist. Next, he snapped the chain around Mikhel’s foot.
Noting the bruises on his brother’s naked body, he removed his jacket and draped it around his shoulders. Recalling Adam’s concern, he studied Mikhel’s face. “Did they penetrate you?”
Mikhel shuddered but shook his head. “No. Before she left, Deoctra warned them against it. She tried to help me—”
“It’s her damn fault you’re here in the first place!”
“I know, but she tried to save me. And you’re here because she called for help, aren’t you?”
“You talk too damn much,” he said and lifted Mikhel in his arms.
He turned and found himself facing a tall, blond full-blood. “Get out of my way, Marcello,” he warned, using the vamp’s name as an insult.
“After you put him down.”
Vlad lowered Mikhel to his feet and stepped in front of him, using his body as a shield. He leveled a finger and bared his incisors. “Get out of my way, shifter, or I’ll rip you into pieces so small, it will take your Heoptin an eternity to try to put your sad ass back together again.”
“You’re going to have to take on us as well, Vladimir.”
He sucked in a quick breath as Vitali and several other vamps entered the room and stood at Marcello’s side. “If you want to get out of here alive, you’ll have to leave him.”
“I am not leaving him.”
Vitali arched a brow. “You really want to die with someone who means so little to you?”
He felt Mikhel straighten against his back. Go, he urged. It’s enough that you tried to help. It would devastate Mother if we both died here.
He ignored Mikhel and centered his gaze on Vitali. “If you think I’m leaving him here with you, you don’t know me at all. Whatever I think or feel, he is my brother—my little brother. That may mean nothing to you, but it does to me. Now get out of my way, or I’ll go through you.”
Vitali shook his head. “Even your crazy ass can’t expect to take us all on while trying to protect that liability leaning against your back. Walk away and I promise he’ll get a swift, painless end. You have my word.”
“Fuck you and your word. I’m not leaving without him.”
“Then you’ll die with him.”
“Not so fast.”
Vlad stiffened. The vamps challenging him turned. A tall vampire with short, brown hair, dark eyes and rather pale skin pushed his way through the others and stood by Vlad’s side.
He brought his clenched right hand up to his chest. “Do not make the mistake of forcing the issue, Vitali. Withdraw now and you just might live. Proceed, and I will kill every last one of you.”
“This does not concern you, Jacoby,” Vitali said.
“Anytime one of my brother vampires threatens another’s life, it concerns me.”
“Then maybe you should spend your time talking to Santiago and his goddamned hunters instead of challenging your brothers,” Vitali shot back.
Jacoby inclined his head. “I will be speaking to Santiago, but right now I’m speaking to you. Before you force me to kill you and those with you, carefully search your dormant memories, Vitali. Recent events should have begun to stir them. Search them carefully and quickly. And then stand aside.”
“Or?” Vitali challenged.
Jacoby narrowed his gaze. “Or face the wrath of Jacoby Crystallious, High Priest of Heoptin, God Eternal.”
Vitali sucked in a quick breath and then to Vladimir’s surprise, the proud, haughty vampire dropped to one knee and bowed his head. “Lord Crystallious, I am your humble servant.”
The vampires with Vitali stared at him, then one by one, knelt and bowed their heads in submission.
Vlad stared at Jacoby. “Just who the hell are you, anyway?”
A small smile curved Jacoby’s lips. “It’s a very long story, one you’re far too young to have heard. Besides, it’s time we got your brother out of here.”
Vlad nodded, turned and lifted Mikhel into his arms. As he passed the still-kneeling Vitali, he lifted a foot.
No, Jacoby warned.
Although Vlad felt no need to kneel as the older vampires had, he decided this was not the time to challenge Jacoby. “You stood by while my brother was kidnapped and tortured and did nothing to help him. This isn’t over, Vitali,” he promised.
“Fuck you, you crazy-ass bastard.”
“If it’s the last thing I do, I will fuck you,” he shot back before he carried Mikhel up the steps, aware that Jacoby followed. He fastened the passenger seatbelt over Mikhel’s lap before turning to face Jacoby. “Thank you.”
“Thanks aren’t necessary. You didn’t require my help.”
“I’m not so sure about that. I know I could have taken two or three of them, but probably not all six.”
Jacoby glanced toward the passenger seat of the SUV. “He’s your little brother.”
Vlad grimaced. “So everyone keeps telling me. What’s your point?”
“Though you may not yet recognize it, you are from a line of vampires that is very old. Those of our line, unlike some others spawned here on Earth, have a deep and abiding concern and affection for those of our clan. To protect him, you would have battled them and won. It’s the way of our clan to overcome great obstacles in defense of our own and those less fortunate.”
Vlad stared at the other full-blood. He’d always known there was something different about Jacoby, but now he wondered if maybe Jacoby wasn’t a little crazy. “What? What clan? Since when do vampires ‘do’ clans?”
Jacoby tapped his cheek. “It’s in our blood, as it is with all those whose origins can be traced back to the Crystal Falls.”
“What Falls?”
“Our clan had its earliest beginnings under the influence of the Crystal Falls on the Aeolia planet cluster.”
Vlad blinked.
Jacoby smiled. “It will all become clear in time.”
Maybe so...or maybe Jacoby was certifiable. “Why do you keep talking as if we’re related?”
“Our clan ties extend far into the distant past, but it exists. There is a reason why you’ve always been drawn to The Brotherhood and why your twin found refuge with the one called Luc. That reason is tied to why Santiago felt a pressing need to dispatch what he calls rogue vampires, but rarely took such action personally.”
Vlad shook his head. “I have no idea what the hell you’re talking about.”
Jacoby laughed. “I know. You will, all in good time.”
“How did you know where we were?”
Jacoby arched a brow. “Deoctra called me.”
“She did? Why?”
“She was frantic that they were going to rape Mikhel. If he has been defiled by those who would do better to bow down in his presence, there will be a steep price to pay. Did they defile him?”
“No, but it’s that bitch’s fault they got their hands on him in the first place.”
Jacoby nodded. “True, but do not go after her.”
“Why not?”
Jacoby smiled. “Clearly you don’t yet know who I am, or you wouldn’t question my advice so freely. Because you are young and we are of the same clan, I will make allowances.”
Vlad arched a brow. “Damn, that’s gracious of you. Should I bow down now or later?”
Jacoby’s smile turned into a grin. “You’re going to prove to be quite a challenge to me, Vladimir. I suggest you ask Aleksei for a little history lesson. I’m sure Luc has told him of me. In the meantime, leave Deoctra to me. Whatever her faults, when it came down to crunch time, she did her best to save him. When that didn’t work, she got help for him. Now take him home to those who love him.”
Vlad nodded and got into his SUV. He glanced at Mikhel. “I’ll take you to my place. You can rest there.”
Mikhel nodded and turned slowly to face him. “I know how you feel about me and coming here and facing the others couldn’t have been easy for you. Thank—”
“Don’t thank me. I didn’t come because I wanted to help you.”
Mikhel sighed. “Why do you hate me so much?”
“Maybe because you’re a pampered pretty boy who’s had everything handed to him his entire life. Everything I or the others have, we’ve had to scratch out for ourselves. There was no loving father or powerful mother to protect us as we grew up. We only had each other. Nothing came easy.”
“I know you and the others had a much rougher time than we did, but that wasn’t by my choice or design. None of what happened to you was my fault. I didn’t kill your father and I didn’t force those bastards to drown you and the others. How damn long are you planning to blame me for events that happened hundreds of years before I was even born?”
Vlad turned the SUV around, his fists tightening on the steering wheel. “Shut the fuck up or I’ll shut you up.”
“No, you won’t.”
He slammed his foot on the brakes and turned to glare at Mikhel. “What the hell did you just say, you pissant?”
“I said, no you won’t.” Mikhel bared his incisors. “If you wanted me shut up, you could have left me there when they threatened to kill you. But you didn’t because we’re brothers. Whether you like it or not, we’re brothers. As long as we both live, we will always be brothers.”
“If you don’t shut the fuck up, you’re going to be a very dead brother.”
“Fuck you, Vladimir.”
Infuriated, Vlad’s right hand shot out. His clenched fist encountered the left forearm Mikhel threw up to block it. He could have easily overcome Mikhel’s pathetic resistance, but what the hell. Even battered, the baby vamp had spirit. He was never going to like the little pissant, but God help anyone who tried to hurt him.
“The next time, I’ll let them fuck you up your tight ass.”
“Fuck you,” Mikhel said again and slumped back against his seat.
Moments later, his slow, even breathing told Vlad he slept.
Vlad sat staring at him for a long time before he drove away. Keeping his gaze on the road, he mind spoke softly to Mikhel. Sleep, with no fear, little pissant. I am here to watch over and protect you.
Half an hour later, a slender figure dressed in black appeared in his headlights. Vlad slammed on his brakes. Ignoring the urge to run her ass over, he stopped his SUV, leaped out and grabbed her by her neck. “You treacherous bitch. How dare you show your face.”
Eyes bulging, Deoctra struggled to peel his fingers from her throat. He lifted her until her feet dangled in the air. He propelled himself off the ground. “Let’s see if you can fly when I drop you from a few hundred feet, bitch.”
Fingers closed around his ankle and tugged downward.
Surprised, hovering several feet above the ground, he looked down. Mikhel stood below them. “What the hell do you think you’re doing, you pissant?”
“Let her down, Vladimir.”
“Are you out of your mind? Don’t you know she’s the one who set your silly ass up?”
“I know that, but I also know she tried to stop it, and she got help. Let her down, Vladimir.”
“If you’re going to be so willing to forgive your enemies, you’re not going to live very long.”
“Please. Release her.”
Annoyed that a sibling of his could be so weak as to plead on behalf of a bitch who had caused so much trouble, Vlad flung her downward. To his amazement, Mikhel stretched out his arms to break her fall. He and Deoctra landed in a tangle of arms and legs.
Vlad dropped back to the ground and stood staring at the two of them.
As Vlad watched, Mikhel scrambled to his knees and leaned over Deoctra. “Are you all right?”
She nodded silently, her hand hovering over her stomach.
“What the hell do you want, fem?” Vlad demanded.
She cast a weary look in his direction. “I wanted to make sure Mikhel was all right.” She looked at Mikhel. “They didn’t...did they?”
“No.” Mikhel turned to look at Vlad. “My brother arrived in time to intervene.”
She nodded. “I knew he would. They thought he would stand by and allow them to violate you, but I knew he wouldn’t.”
Mikhel nodded. “Of course he wouldn’t. He’s my brother.”
Vlad growled low in his throat and rejected the warm feeling that washed over him at Mikhel’s words. What the hell did he care if Mikhel believed in him or not?
The sound of approaching vehicles sent them all moving to the side of the dark road. Vlad stood behind his SUV watching as Mikhel and the bitch faced in each other.
“Is this it? Is it over?” Mikhel asked.
She sucked in a deep breath and nodded. “Yes. It’s over.”
“No more plots or plans for revenge?”
“No...” She cupped a hand over her stomach. “I have other interests now.”
“Other interests?” Mikhel arched a brow, lowering his gaze to her stomach. “You mean...?”
Vlad watched a radiant look flash across her face as she nodded. “I think so. I hope so.”
“Who’s the father?”
“That’s none of your concern.” She cupped a hand over his cheek, leaned up and kissed his lips. “I really did love you,” she whispered.
“I know and I’m sorry I...”
She drew away and shook her head. “It doesn’t matter now. Would you intercede with your mother and your siblings? Tell them I’m—”
“Yes.”
She nodded, gave him a long last look and then flashed into the night.
“Get the lead out, Mikhel. Are you going to get your ass in the SUV or are you planning to spend the night on the road staring after your past?”
“You really are one miserable son of a bitch,” Mikhel told him and got back inside.
“So what? You think all vamps are as touchy-feely as Sei?”
“No. He’s one of a kind.”
Vlad slid into the driver’s seat and started the SUV. The near reverence in Mikhel’s voice when speaking of Aleksei annoyed the hell out of him. “Maybe so, but just remember which one of us saved your sorry ass tonight.”
Mikhel feigned a yawn. “Yadda.” He closed his eyes and slumped back against the seat, then bolted upright. “I need a phone. I have to call Erica and Mother. They must be frantic.”