Page 11 of Meet Your Maker: Part One

I squeeze my eyes shut, willing myself to stay calm.Well, Sunday, how are you going to handle this? Scream at a dead man or figure out how to move him?

I exhale a huge sigh, gathering what strength I can muster to push him off me.Just channel a little Ben or Shadow, I think,and I’ll have him off me in no time… and out of me. This is getting seriously uncomfortable. My toes are tingling, and I’m starting to miss the feeling of a full breath.

On three. I shove with all my might… and achieve absolutely nothing. In fact, I’m pretty sure more of him is now lying on top of me than before.Does being a vampire turn your bones to lead? How can he weigh this much? And how the hell did sunrise sneak up on us?

Weak sunlight streams through the gauzy curtains, warming my skin and making the dust motes swirl in lazy patterns. I curse under my breath, craning my neck to check his exposed skin for smoke trails.

“Baby, I really hope you’re still sunproof,” I mutter, a hint of panic creeping into my voice, “because we never did get around to blocking the windows or closing the drapes.” My lips twist in a grimace. We were idiots.Horny idiots.

“Okay, focus.” No phone within reach, and I’m definitely low on pockets right now. Bond call it is.But who?Ben or Shadow? They’d both think this is hilarious, but Shadow’s here with Gray, so they’re probably the best bet for getting this naked vampire off me.

I close my eyes and focus on my bond with Shadow. A light mental nudge confirms they’re still sleeping. I project a gentle, non-emergency call for help. No need to panic anyone—there’s been enough of that lately.

Ten seconds later, I feel a curious ping followed by an answering on my way. And then, lust.

Great. This is going to be such a disappointment for them.

A minute or two passes before I hear the door creak open and the telltale clink of the chain stretching taut. A shimmer of darkness resolves into Shadow, standing beside the bed, their head cocked with obvious amusement.

“You rang?” Their voice, laced with amusement, cuts through the room. “He brought you to our old room. That’s really… sweet.”

I try to turn toward the sound, but Grayson’s weight keeps me pinned. “I know. He told me. Could you help…”

“Is he dead?” Shadow’s voice is closer now, tinged with both concern and excitement. “Goddess, tell me he got you off first.”

“Spectacularly,” I grumble. “But, uh, I’m not sure that he did… or it doesn’t feel like he did?”

“Are you saying what I think you’re saying?” I can hear the grin stretching across their face.

“Stop sounding excited about it,” I snap. “He’s heavy as hell, and I need to pee.”

A long silence follows, and I can feel Shadow’s gaze roaming over Grayson.

“I swear to God, if you’re staring at his ass while I’m being crushed half to death…”

“I’m not! I mean… just a little,” they admit, sheepishly. “I’m covering the windows first.”

“Good idea,” I say, relieved. “Yeah, do that.” A beat passes. “He might also have his fangs in my neck.”

I feel a warm puff of air against my skin as Shadow leans in closer. “You don’t know?”

“Well, it stings when I try to turn my head,” I explain. “Maybe his fangs retracted a bit when he died. He’s not tapping a vein. So, if you could just lift his head and slide him up a bit…”

Before I can finish, a low growl rumbles through the room. The door creaks, cracking open slightly before stopping, the chain straining under a massive weight.

“Imbéciles,” Shadow mutters, moving away from the bed. “More muscles than brains. Sit tight, I’ll be right back.”

“Sure, take your time,” I retort dryly. “Maybe see if anyone else wants to join us. I’m naked again, so there’s bound to be a crowd.”

The chain groans, stretched to its limit, and we both brace for the inevitable snap.

The flimsy door bursts open, slamming into the wall with a bang that makes me jump—or more accurately, wiggle—under my leaden vampire. A warm, wet tongue licks my hand. I try to pet the wolf pushing against it, but all I manage is a pathetic back-and-forth motion.

“Tomas, I’m fine,” I reassure him. “Grayson’s okay too.” I attempt to turn my head toward his nuzzling, but the fangs keep me pinned in place. Of all of them, I can’t believeTomasis the one who lost it and shifted. He’s always so disciplined. A pang of guilt hits me—maybe if he had a bond with Gray or me, he’d have felt more secure. He’d have known this wasn’t a full wolf emergency.

Ben arrives last, his expression one of calm exasperation, but by now, I’m dizzy and dangerously close to wetting myself. I can’t even cross my legs.

“Guys,” I groan, my voice strained, “can we please focus on the sunlight in this room and myalarminglyfull bladder?”

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