Page 159 of Filthy Rich Vampires: For Eternity

Would I ever catch her?

“You are.” Her tone left no room for argument.

I swallowed, a throb building between my legs. Gods, I wanted her. I would always want her. But... “You’ve been avoiding me.”

I hadn’t seen her since we returned to Venice.

“I’ve been occupied.” Restless energy overcame her, and I knew what she’d been doing.

“Did you find him?”

“He left the house. There was no sign of him there and no clue where he went.”

And she would not rest until she confronted Willem—until she ended him. I couldn’t blame her.

“I have to do this,” she whispered. “I wish I could explain it to you.”

But I would never understand, not fully. We both knew that. But looking into her eyes, I realized something. “You don’t have to.” I swallowed against the raw ache in my throat. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Camila’s tongue swept over her lips, her eyes shadowing, words poised on that mouth I found myself ready to kiss.

“Jacqueline!”

I tensed at the familiar voice. We shared a look, and Camila turned to leave. I grabbed her hand. “Don’t. Stay.”

She paused before inclining her head and tugging from my grasp. She would stay but on her terms. We moved apart, and I plastered a smile on my face as we turned to face my mother.

“Camila,” my mother greeted her from behind a fox mask. “I’ve heard you are the matriarch of the Rousseaux family now. Congratulations. It was time someone challenged Sabine.”

My smile faltered. “Careful, Mother. You’ll give me ideas.”

“Don’t make empty threats.” Her eyes pinned me, dared me to prove her wrong.

I forced my anger deeper. Our relationship was strained and with the enemies at our door, at my chosen family’s door, I didn’t need to make another one. “Where is Jessica? Or have you finally given up on your ludicrous plan?”

“Have you decided to take her place?” she cut back. When I remained silent, she rolled her eyes. “This is why I don’t fear your threats. You never follow through on any of your promises.”

Something snapped inside me. “Something I learned from you.”

“I have never made you a single promise—”

“Exactly. You have never followed through, never cared for anyone but yourself and your privilege and your reputation.”

“You could do with caring about your reputation,” she started.

“Fuck. That.” The words came out a snarl, more animal than human. Maybe it was the mask. Maybe it was just that I’d given up.

Her nostrils flared. “I suppose that answers my question. Since you refuse to make a match—”

“She already has,” Camila snapped.

And then her mouth was on mine. I melted into the kiss, forgetting where I was, what I’d been arguing over moments ago. There was only her. Only us. She broke it too quickly, a smile whispering on her lips before she pulled away to reveal my mother’s shocked face.

“You... her...” Her head whipped from me to Camila and back. “How long?”

Camila twined her hand with mine. “Centuries.”

“But you were married.”

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