Page 61 of Because the Night

“You shouldn’t look at me that way,” I say.

“How should I look at you?”

It’s a good question. One I can’t answer. Or maybe I don’t want to answer. I give my ponytail a nervous tug. “I was jealous about your ex.”

“I know.”

The ego on this guy. I shoot him a dirty look, which of course, achieves nothing. “The human whom I fed from…in my dream, I tore him apart to get at the blood.”

“It’s certainly one way to do it; though, there are less messier choices,” he says in his usual dry tone. “Ones less inclined toward waste.”

“You’re such an ass.”

The edge of his mouth rises in a smirk.

I square my shoulders and take a deep, unnecessary breath. Habits really do die hard. “I need to know if you’re going to be yet another one of those people who like the idea they have of me, but then when they get to know me, they’re disappointed.”

He narrows his gaze on me. Then he stands and walks over to the desk. Among the books and so on sits a blue silk case. This, along with a large white envelope, are what he returns with. He gives me the case first. “Open it, Skye.”

Inside are a pair of diamond drop earrings and a matching necklace with stars. The stones range in size from small to astonishing. It must be worth millions. I don’t know what to say.

“To replace the jewelry that was stolen from you,” he says. Then he gives me the envelope. “These are the documents Helena sent over. They detail your settlement from The Thorn Group.”

“You opened my mail?”

“That’s beside the point. Note the payout you’re receiving.”

I skim the document and wow. There are, indeed, a lot of zeros. “Wow.”

“I was born in a time when women were considered the property of men.”

“Some idiots still think that way today.”

He nods. “I won’t lie to you, it’s an attractive idea. I would like to own you. But you’re not the type to thrive in such arelationship. You would find it claustrophobic and limiting. Nor do I necessarily require such control.”

The way I hold in any and all sarcastic comments. I deserve an award. I am also dying to know where he’s heading with this.

“You have money. And you’ve made friends, vampires who would offer you their protection and assistance. For instance, Leilah is willing to let you join her at the hotel. She would ensure you were not removed from the premises against your will again.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. You should know Lev has gone north for now. Nicholas is tracking him digitally through cameras and such. His human servants are moving him during the daylight hours. We believe his maker summoned him. No doubt he’ll eventually return, but the danger to you from that region is not as immediate.”

“What about your brother?”

His gaze blanks. “The hunt begins as soon as the sun sets. I will find him and kill him.”

“What are you saying with all of this?”

“That strictly speaking, you no longer need me.” He pauses. “And should you choose to leave, I would do my utmost to respect that choice.”

I don’t know why I’m smiling. “You would do your utmost?”

“Yes,” he says. “Benedict explained that modern women must have choices. That their rights must be equal.”

“Benedict explained all of that?”

He nods. “It would be difficult for me. But I’ve given it some thought. I believe if I stayed close to you and was able to watch over you, that would fulfill this need in me. For a time, at least.”

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