Page 3 of Because the Night

“If you say so,” he says.

“It’s not possible.”

“Okay.”

His amused gaze makes me want to scream. “I hate you.”

“And now you have all the time in the world to do so. Isn’t that nice?”

“Oh my God. You’re serious.”

“As the dead,” he confirms.

“No. I won’t kill people.”

“You don’t have to. Though, it takes practice to resist the urge to feed until you’re satiated once the blood fills your senses.” He snaps his fingers at me like I’m a dog. Asshole. “Enough of this. We have errands to run, and you’ll be getting hungry soon. Come here, Skye.”

There’s an answering tug inside me at his words. An urge to do what he said. It’s like an invisible, psychic thread linking us together.

“Look at me,” he orders, gazing into my eyes. “Come here, Skye.”

Once more, I feel the tug in the center of my chest. But, honestly, he can go to Hell. “I am not one of the undead, the whole idea is ridiculous. Because vampires wouldn’t have panic attacks, and I’m clearly having one now. My life. My friends and family and job and—”

“Come here now.” He doesn’t raise his voice, but I have to cover my ears to protect them against the wall of sound that hits me. It echoes around inside my skull, all sharp edges. The agony of it is still echoing inside me as I climb off the bed. Not doing as he asks has consequences, apparently.

“That hurt,” I whisper, massaging my temples. “Please don’t do it again.”

“So the sire bond does work on you, it just takes extra will on my part. That’s going to be annoying.”

“Sire bond?”

“I made you. Therefore, I’m your sire.” He pushes his thick, dark hair back from his face and stares down at me. I am average height, but barely reach his broad shoulder. “Your old life is over. The best way to keep your friends and family safe is to stay away from them.”

My go-fuck-yourself gaze says it all.

“You’re more difficult to kill now, but it’s not impossible.” He circles me like a shark before taking hold of my ponytail and wrapping it tightly around his fist. Then he tugs, pulling me back against his hard body. “And make no mistake, I will end you if you don’t start being useful and stop misbehaving. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

“Good.” He releases me with a warning look. “Who sent you here tonight? How did you get the house keys?”

“My boss gave them to me.”

“And who is your boss?”

“Are you going to hurt them if I tell you?”

He thinks it over for a second. “It’s highly doubtful. I’d be more concerned about my own skin if I were you. Now…don’t make me ask again.”

“Jennifer Manning,” I say reluctantly. “I work for a company called The Thorn Group.”

He smiles. “The Thorn Group? Is that so?”

I glare at him.

Not that he cares. “Let’s start there then. We have a lot of ground to cover before dawn.”

“Why me?” I ask as we drive through West Hollywood.

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