Page 19 of Kiss of Blood and Sin

I smirked. I was twice as powerful as Jaxon, and he wasabout to get proof positive of that. “Unless you want to wash your hair in that vat of suds, you’ll come up with a different answer.”

He narrowed his eyes. “You don’t scare?—”

Jaxon didn’t even finish his sentence. In a flash, I grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and shoved him face first into the sudsy water. He sputtered and struggled, his arms flailing, water splashing onto the floor.

Kamaron ran toward us, not that he scared me. “Dimitri, what the hell?”

I abruptly released my grip on Jaxon’s neck and he jerked his head out of the water, anger flaring in his eyes. With the suds on his face, he looked like a pissed-off Santa Claus. “You’re a bastard.” He grabbed a towel and wiped his face off.

Kamaron stood next to him like a bodyguard. I flashed them both a cool smile. “Actually, my parents were married. Now, unless you want to take another dip, you’ll tell me what I want to know.”

“Look, Dragan. Contrary to what you may think, she doesn’t tell me everything. The only thing I know is she got a big shipment of magical objects. Maybe that’s what they’re meeting over.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Magical shipment? From where? From whom?”

“I don’t know. Like you said, I’m her court jester…not her confidant.”

“Do these objects possesslight or dark magic?”

“Magical objects can be used for either,” Kamaron interjected. “It depends on the user’s intent.”

I swore under my breath. The last thing Petar needed was a magical object that he could use for evil purposes. I turned on my heel and strode out of the kitchen, my mind torn between unraveling my father’s plans and the memory of Gianna Santi’s captivating beauty. The memory of her alluring smile and enchanting eyes making even the most pressing matters seem unimportant. I shook my head, trying to focus on the task at hand.

She was definitely going to be a dangerous distraction.

Chapter Thirteen

Gianna

Louise led me into her small but quaint apartment. A gas log fireplace crackled invitingly in front of a burgundy leather couch and a matching loveseat, and a dark oak dining room table stood next to a kitchen with gleaming white granite countertops.

She settled me gently on the loveseat and sat across from me in a recliner. I couldn’t stop shaking. I don’t know why the confrontation between Petar and Dimitri had upset me so much.

“I’m sorry Dimitri was such an ass in front of you,” Louise said, her brow furrowed with concern. “He’s not usually like that at all, except when it comes to his father. If he even thinks his father is going to hurt his brother, look out, because that’s when the monster unleashes.”

I looked between them. “What’s the story with Petar and Valentin?”

Louise sighed sadly. “Let’s just say Dimitri was Petar’s favorite son, and Valentin paid the price.”

Augustus, who had followed us inside, headed over to a built-in bar in the corner of the room. “Petar Dragon has everyone on edge lately,” he remarked. He selected a bottle of amber liquid and held it up to me, his eyes softening as he took in my shaken state. “After everything you’ve been through, you look like you could use a stiff drink. It might help calm your nerves?”

“Thank you.” I nodded weakly, grateful for the kindness. Maybe a drink would help ease the knots in my stomach and slow my racing thoughts. I definitely needed something to dull the tenseness I was currently feeling.

BAM BAM BAM

The pounding on the door was so fierce it felt like the room itself was shaking. I jumped, my heart leaping into my throat as a jolt of adrenaline surged through my body. For a moment, it felt like my bones were about to burst out of my skin and make a run for it through the window. My breath caught in my chest, and I found myself frozen in place, eyes wide and muscles tense, braced for an attack.

Augustus frowned as he headed across the room then threw open the door. “Who the hell is it?”

Dimitri sauntered into the room, a smirk playing on his lips. “Well, check it out. A cozy little gathering of conspirators. What’s the occasion?”

The hairs on the back of my neck prickled just looking athim. He looked like a predator who had just cornered his prey.

Louise stood up, her eyes flashing with anger. “Get out, Dimitri. You’re not welcome here unless you can behave yourself.”

Dimitri tutted, wagging his finger at her. “Oh, Louise, you cut me to the quick. But all right, I’ll play nice…for now.”

Augustus stepped forward, placing himself between Dimitri and me. “You’d better, or I’ll throw you out myself. Gianna is our guest, and you’ll treat her with respect.”

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