Page 100 of Princess Broken

Flame’s gaze snaps back toward me. “How did you know?”

I want to tell him it’s okay to feel emotions, to show them, and that anytime he’s uncomfortable he can talk it through with me, but I don’t say any of that. Because I won’t be here long enough to help Blade or Flame learn to process their emotions without pain, if they even can.

“Blade, making love for the rest of our lives is a wonderful fantasy, but that’s all it is. I need to leave here. You know that. I need to get back to my life as soon as Crusher confirms that the danger has passed.”

Blade’s silver eyes fill with pain, and he closes them as if trying to hide his despair.

My heart fills with hurt too, and for a moment, I catch a glimpse of a different life, one where I stay with these men, one where Blade and Flame make love to me daily, where Phil and Crusher protect me. One where the five of us live out each day like the past weeks, only better. Feeding and fucking whenever we want.

I give my head a mental shake. “I’ve got responsibilities, duties to the crown. And you four have your…jobs.” I hate that they’re killers, but remembering what they do for a living, helps me say what needs to be said.

“Blade, I’ll always be grateful for what you and the others have done for me. And I’ll always remember how you made me feel today.” I drag in a ragged breath as sense memories surge inside me. “But I can’t stay here. As soon as the danger from Mariano has passed, I need to move on.”

“No.” He frowns. “No. It’s our duty to protect you forever. We were involved in the murder of your mate.”

“Blade…” I need to tell him, I need to tell them all.

“Quick!” Flame shouts from the water. “Phil’s coming. Get in. I can smell the evidence of sex on your bodies from here.”

Me still in his arms, Blade leaps to his feet, and then carrying me with him, he jumps into the water.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Crusher

I slip the bathhouse manager a roll of bills, no real idea how many tens of thousands I’ve given the sniveling human who wasn’t hard to buy off. I probably could have given him less, but keeping Ana safe is worth every penny, and we have no shortage of those.

“Mariano’s private room is through there,” the anemic human says, tipping his head toward a nondescript door in the opposite direction to the bathhouse’s changing area. “Mariano’s had that entire wing booked for at least fifty years. Since before I was born. The only people who get access are Mariano and his invited guests.”

“Guests? You said he was in there alone,” I growl, expanding my chest and shoulders to full effect, flashing my fangs.

“He is. Tonight he is.” The man nods, vigorously. “Only one vampire went in. The past week or so, he’s come in almost every night. Always alone.”

“You look surprised,” I say to the man. I am too, but I know how to hide my reactions.

“Yeah.” The man’s hands tremble against the counter. “Mariano never used to come here this often, and never alone.”

“But he’s alone tonight. You saw him.”

The man’s shaking continues. “He got here before I came on duty. But we log the comings and goings. Mariano entered 10:52. Hasn’t left.” He jabs at his computer screen.

I could be walking into another ambush, but at least I’m prepared this time. Part of me wishes I had Phil with me, but assuming Mariano is alone it’s better I am too.

I lean toward the night manager. “If you’re lying…”

“I wouldn’t.” He shakes his head. “Especially not given your generosity.” He holds up the large roll of cash. I don’t want to point out that Mariano likely paid him off too, but I’m hoping this man’s allegiances flow along with whoever paid him off last.

Tucking the roll of cash below the counter, he reaches for a plush bath towel and holds it toward me.

“What the fuck would I want with that?” I sneer at him, and he drops the towel, his entire body shaking.

He reaches under the counter again and the door buzzes as he tips his head toward it.

I pull it open and listen carefully before stepping into the humid hallway. There’s a glass door to my left, and behind it what looks like a small changing area, a shower to its side. Sensing no one in the space, I take another step down the hall.

The entire corridor is covered in small white tiles—floors, wall and ceiling—and small droplets of condensation hang like mini stalagmites above me.

About ten feet ahead to the right is an arched entrance. Beyond that a single heart is beating. Beating far too fast for a vampire who’s at rest. Sounds like he’s sprinting up a mountain cliff, or…is the asshole masturbating? Is that what he does when he comes here alone?

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