Page 44 of Daddy's Friend’s Mate

His skin was like translucent snow, revealing rivers of blue veins traveling where his flesh was exposed, only his face, neck, and hands. The rest of him was covered with a black cashmere button-down, black slacks, and black wingtips. He was a sharp dresser.

That counted for most vamps.

Regina flocked forward, caught by a plump human with desert-red skin and bold black eyes. “Wait until you’re called to be greeted by—”

Méndez barked with laughter while waving off the human. “Drake, please. These are our guests for the evening. Let them free of our customs for a moment.”

Hesitantly, the human stepped aside, bowing his head as though to stare at his dark scrubs and sneakers. People—typically humans—assumed that human wards chosen by vampires were underfed, scrawny weasels, but the truth was entirely different. Vampire assistants were usually plump or thick, fit, and attuned to the desires of their vampires.

They were occasionally more dangerous than vampires themselves.

Because they often fed their owners, they were expected to keep their blood free of disease as well as a strict diet tailored to their specific genes. A lot of science and magic went into maintaining those relationships. I didn’t blame the kid for getting defensive over his fang.

But I still didn’t like it.

Méndez stood up and rounded the coffee table to greet Regina with a reverent handshake. “I’m overwhelmed to meet a Navarro in the flesh. Forgive me when I say I didn’t know your father but knew of the respect he held in our community.”

My eyes rolled. What a way to kiss ass.

Regina softened at the statement. “Papa was loved by a lot of people.”

“Your dear papa must be resting easy knowing his daughter has taken the reins of the business. You are quite capable of handling your own.”

“You’re too kind, Mr. Méndez.”

“Please, call me Ander.” He kissed her hand and then turned to me, standing rigidly in front of me with his shoulders squared and his chest puffed. “It’s always an honor to meet another retired Marine.”

I stared at him with my hands stiffly at my sides. “Oh?”

“Corporal Ander Méndez Castillero at your service.”

“Corporal,” I repeated in a low voice. “I had no idea you served.”

He smiled whimsically. “Ah, it was before your time, Captain Barrett. I’m sure you can forgive my ignorance of more modern terms.”

Regina gazed at me curiously. “You didn’t tell me you were a captain.”

“I don’t really talk about my time in the Corps.”

Méndez held my gaze with respect, giving me a sharp nod. “Understandably so, Captain. Won’t you please join us for a drink?” He snapped his fingers at Drake without breaking eye contact. “And make yourselves comfortable. You have nothing to fear under this roof. We’re all protected here.”

Drake and Destiny circled us like attentive hawks—one with high suspicions and the other with high desire. I accepted a packaged bottle of tea that hadn’t yet been opened and encouraged Regina to do the same. But insistence didn’t seem to work on GG as she cheerfully took a hot mug of tea from Destiny.

The women were obviously close. If Regina didn’t suspect the witch of anything, then I had to believe it was a genuine meeting. So far, nobody spoke except to comment on the tea being delicious, the artifact on the spray-painted wall, or the fact that the compact meeting room was more spacious than anticipated.

We were all dancing around the subject of the meeting. Though Méndez had no true clue to what was about to be presented, he seemed to be sitting on the edge of his seat. It was like he knew he was about to be handed something important.

Even though I still didn’t understand the importance of such an innocent object.

Regina set her mug on the coffee table that separated us from Méndez. His pale emerald eyes followed her movements with an intensity I didn’t like. A low growl vibrated my throat.

She swatted my knee lightly. “Sit, boy.”

Drake choked on a laugh while Destiny averted her attention to the rickety bookshelf on the left side of the room. Unmoved by the display, Méndez offered a friendly grin. “Have you recently mated?”

“We’re not mates,” Regina and I replied at the same time.

I gruffly coughed as Regina stroked my knee possessively. To say I was charmed was way too shallow. Because the way she treated me, touched me, and joked with me completely countered our blurted claim that we weren’t mates.

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