Page 26 of Marked for Redemption

Driving away from the compound, I was seething. We loaded both trucks up. If she hadn’t gotten in… I sighed, not wanting to think about it. I just needed to get us back with no issues.

We cleared the opening and approached the section heavily shielded with trees. The crossing marked the halfway mark for our journey. I hit a bump in the road, tousling the passengers around a bit. There was shuffling and then a door was opened. The humans shuffled out and ran. How’d they get loose?

My team hopped out and went after them from both trucks. I got out and went to the back where Renee was. I opened the door and grabbed her arm. “Where are they going?”

“He didn’t say.” She glared at me. “Funny, now you believe me when you didn’t before.”

“Keep that sassy ass mouth of yours under control before I put it to use. With it full, you seem to be more compliant. I see that I need to refresh your memory.”

“You’re an asshole, Colton.”

“Master. Not Colton.” I growled.

“Yes, sir.” She saluted.

“When we get back, I’m going to show you exactly how to salute and what to do with it.”

Her eyes glazed over and her nostrils flared in arousal.

“You like knowing that I’ll punish you. Don’t worry, it’s coming. Until then, brat, where are they going?”

“He never told me. He just kept mentioning a resistance.” She looked over my shoulder from the seat. The males were bringing back the humans. “Where’s the one I escorted back?” She hopped down and looked over at the group again.

The doors to the other truck opened, and the humans from that car ran. There weren’t any guards in there since they’d vacated to help the others. I saw the guy she asked about come around the truck where I stood.

“No!” Renee screamed as she stepped between us.

I didn’t see the blade in his hand until it was too late. He struck, catching Renee in the chest. It was in the same vicinity as the previous wound. Catching her as she fell, I kicked him so hard that he flew against a nearby tree. I knew before I did it I was going to bite her. She was bleeding out and dying. He had the blade in his hand and one male ran over to him as soon as he landed on the ground. I tilted her head to the side and saved her life. Biting her, visions of both of our life spans together played in my head.

Dying wasn’t an option.

Her being by my side was the only way. It’s the reason I’d saved her life before. Bringing her back. Torturing her wasn’t, though I’d convinced myself that it was. Completing the process, I didn’t know if it would work. Alive and vampire. Then dead. Human. Now dying again, I didn’t know how turning her would work. She could sprout wings, turn orange, and speak an unfamiliar language. Death was always a possibility, too.

“Colton, we need to keep moving.”

“Drive.” I climbed into the back with her, watching her like a hawk. I also gave her my blood to help her heal.

The truck began moving quickly, trying to beat the clock. We got there with not much time to spare. I helped them usher the humans into the pins we had. Except for the fucker responsible for this. He came with me. I carried her into my cottage and slammed the door behind me.

“If she dies, you die. Understand that.” I said to him while laying her on the couch.

“Don’t pretend to care about her now. It’s obvious that she’s miserable.”

“Kneel and stay there until I tell you to move.” I backhanded him until he was on the floor, struggling to get up. Now in chains, he didn’t have the luxury of cutting the rope free and getting away.

Renee stirred, stealing my attention. I went to her. When she opened her eyes, I saw the difference in her right away. She was a vampire. I drug Mr. Resistance over to her and she latched on to his neck as soon as he was close enough. Her hair was onyx black, her eyes light gray, and the more she drank from him, her skin lightened.

“Looks like you’re dying, anyway,” I said to the poor fucker that Renee was draining life from. When he fell from her mouth, he was lifeless.

She jumped into my arms, her arms wrapped around my neck as she kissed me. Not waiting for an invitation.

“Am I still your slave?” She purred. She was ready to fuck and I now, so was I.

“Yes.” I ripped her pants off, unable to deny the heat pouring off her in waves. “Kneel.”

She slid down my body slowly, and when she was in view of my zipper, she eased it down to free my erection. Rough tongue. It caressed my shaft with sticky fibers along it. I could feel each drag of her mouth up and down it when she sucked. I’d known vampires to have them on their skin to help them climb, but… inside? It felt like her mouth had latched on and was stuck. Each move of her lips was like they fit me perfectly. Snug, tight, and wet. I wouldn’t last long like this.

“Renee…”

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