Page 51 of Kiss of Blood and Sin

The plane ride ended faster than I wanted, time slipping through my fingers like sand. Dimitri’s gaze remained fixed on the city lights below. His lack of nervous tics or restless energy wasn’t the practiced calm of a seasoned traveler, but rather the eerie tranquility of predator anticipating the hunt. The impending meeting with my brother seemed to intrigue rather than unnerve him, as if he found the whole power play deliciously entertaining.

I watched him from the corner of my eye as he lounged in his seat, sipping bourbon like it was just another day. How could he be so calm when my nerves were frayed to breaking point? Almost four hundred years of existence, and I still felt like a fledgling facing my maker.

Angelo didn’t like games. He didn’t have asense of humor and if Dimitri made him angry, he’d tear him to pieces.

As the plane began its descent, my stomach dropped with it. I gripped Dimitri’s hand as we landed on the tarmac, my fingers probably leaving bruises that would heal in seconds. The plane’s engines roared in my ears, but it was softer than the sound of blood pumping between my temples.

New Orleans sprawled beneath us, a vibrant, pulsing entity that held both promise and peril. Somewhere in that maze of streets and secrets, Angelo waited. My brother. My keeper. My potential executioner.

I stole another glance at Dimitri, his profile sharp against the window. Did he truly understand what we were walking into? As the plane taxied to a stop, I couldn’t shake the feeling that we were moths flying straight into Angelo’s flame.

Dimitri gave me one of his famous smirks. “Ready to meet the welcoming committee?”

I squeezed his hand. “Be careful, Dimitri. Angelo’s dangerous.”

He kissed my wrist. “So am I.”

Petar descended the stairs first, then he motioned for us to follow, his gesture sharp and impatient.

A sleek black limousine waited on the tarmac, oozing menace. The driver emerged, his movements precise and robotic. Then, like something out of a B-grade mafia movie, Angelo and Enzo unfolded themselves from the car.

My racing heart leaped into my throat. They were both wrapped in black suits, looking like they’d just stepped out ofa vampire undertaker’s catalog. Their long hair was pulled back into tight ponytails, as if they were afraid they’d get blood on it.

They had that rip-out-the-enemy’s-throat stare, and I knew exactly who their enemy was tonight. My stomach clenched tighter than a vise as I imagined what they might do to Dimitri. Would they tear him apart on the spot, or drag him away for a more elaborate punishment? The thought of Dimitri’s cocky grin being wiped off his face by my brother’s cruelty made me want to turn this plane around and flee.

Shitshitshitshit

I leaned closer to Dimitri, my voice a hiss. “Enzo’s here.”

Dimitri’s eyes narrowed, a smirk playing on his lips. “And that’s Angelo’s errand boy. What, did they have a two-for-one deal on brooding henchmen?”

I stepped in front of him, my hands splayed on his chest. “Dimitri, this isn’t funny. He’s just as dangerous as my brother, if not more so. He’s Angelo’s enforcer.”

“Two against one,” Dimitri purred, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Your brother doesn’t play fair. I’m shocked. Truly.”

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. “No, he doesn’t. He plays to win.”

“So do I.” Dimitri’s hand found the small of my back, his touch both possessive and reassuring. “Let’s go. We don’t want to keep the Addams family waiting. I hear Thing gets impatient.”

As we started walking, each step felt like moving through molasses. The air was thick with tension and the promise ofviolence. Angelo and Enzo stood there, still as statues, their eyes boring into us.

Dimitri, on the other hand, sauntered forward like he was walking into his favorite bar. His swagger was infuriating and oddly comforting at the same time.

I just hoped his confidence wasn’t misplaced. Because if it was, this tarmac might just become our final resting place.

The tension mounted as we approached, the air thick with the promise of violence. Angelo’s cheek twitched, a telltale sign I’d seen too many times before. That kill look blazed in his eyes, the same glint he got when he ripped his enemies apart. My entire body went cold, colder than even vampire flesh should be.

I stopped abruptly, my hand shooting out to grab Dimitri’s arm. “Run,” I hissed, my voice barely above a whisper.

But I was too late.

Angelo launched himself forward faster than our speeding jet had flown. The world blurred around him as he moved, a dark streak of fury. His fist connected with Dimitri’s mouth with a sickening crunch, sending him flying backward. Blood burst into the air, a crimson mist spraying across the tarmac like a macabre Jackson Pollock painting.

“Angelo, no!” I screamed, my voice tearing from my throat. I drew on my vampire speed, the world slowing around me as I stretched out my arms to snag my brother.

Suddenly, strong arms gripped me from behind. Enzo pinned me against his chest, his grip like iron bands. I fought like a wild cat, ramming my heels into his shins and throwingmy head back to connect with his face. But he only tightened his hold, a low growl rumbling through his chest.

Dimitri rolled out of the way as Angelo’s foot whistled through the air, barely missing him. He jumped up with surprising agility, blood dribbling down his chin like a gruesome waterfall. My breath caught in my throat. No one had dared to bite my brother before. A mix of shock and reluctant admiration surged through me—Dimitri really was as dangerous as he claimed. His fist shot out, connecting with Angelo’s jaw with a crack that echoed across the tarmac. My brother staggered, surprise flickering across his face.

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