Page 131 of Fangs and Fudge

“Tell me where we’re headed,” Vena said with a glare at MC in the mirror once we reached the city.

He directed her to an upscale apartment building in the suburbs north of downtown.

Shepard and MC got out, both looking like they’d been in a wreck. A neighbor saw them when we stepped off the elevator. She clutched at her heart with a startled gasp.

“Realistic makeup for a party,” Shepard said with a smile. “Sorry for the scare.”

The woman gave an unsure laugh and hurried into her place.

MC used a code at his door and called out that he was back.

The man who was waiting in the living room wasn’t familiar. His gaze jumped from MC to Vena to Shepard to me.

“Who won?” he asked, proving that he knew about the challenge.

“Not me,” MC said and turned to Shepard. “He’s in the room at the end of the hall.”

“You think I trust you?” Shepard asked. “You go.”

MC moved down the hall and undid at least seven bolts from a steel door. The second he turned the knob, a whole lot of Anchor came charging out and barreled into MC, taking him to the ground and punching him in the face.

“Anchor?” Vena said.

The big guy froze and looked up at Vena. He immediately stood and caught her as she flew at him.

She cried. It didn’t happen often and usually signaled an impending full meltdown.

“I’m so sorry,” she said through her tears. “It’s all my fault. Are you okay?”

She pulled back enough to grab his face and turn his head between her palms to inspect him. In all honesty, he looked perfectly fine. Not a single bruise or bump.

“We didn’t kidnap him to hurt him, Vena,” MC said from the floor. “I’m not the asshole you think I am. I just wanted to give you a chance to see me.”

Shepard kicked him with his foot as a reminder to shut up as Anchor grinned at Vena.

“I’m fine. They fed me. I had a bathroom to use. A bed to sleep on. The only thing they did to hurt me was to keep me from you.”

She made a choked sound and jumped up on him, wrapping her legs around his waist as she clung to him.

“Okay, spider monkey,” I said, reaching out and tugging her down. “You’re not thinking clearly and might have regrets tomorrow. Let go of Anchor. Now.”

Vena reluctantly released him as Shepard faced MC.

“Leave D.C. tonight.”

“The vampires–”

“Aren’t your problem. They never were. They were mine. And I need people I can trust to help me deal with the issue. Leave and know that every pack will know your betrayal.”

“My betrayal?” MC partially growled as he stood. “I did what any wolf would do when he senses his mate. No different from what you’re trying to do with Everly. Do you think that absolves you from allowing a vampire to–”

Shepard backhanded MC so hard bloody spit flew. I turned to Vena, and she hugged me to her chest.

“We’ll wait outside,” she said.

“No need,” Shepard said. “We’re done here.”

We left the apartment with MC holding his face. Vena kept peeking back at Anchor as we walked to the car. She tried to sit in the backseat with him, but I steered her to the driver’s seat.

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