Page 20 of Fratelli: Eternal Bloodlines

“Protect her. Don’t leave her side,” Lucio ordered Tristan mentally. Tristan nodded obediently. Lucio followed his brother and only stopped to close the doors to the bedroom behind him.

“Interesting day, isn’t it, bro?” Domencio’s tone mocked him.

“I’m sure you’re disappointed it didn’t go your way,” said Lucio.

“Oh?” Domencio smirked. “I wouldn’t say that. I’ve learned quite a lot today.”

Lucio opened his arms in a confrontational gesture. “And? What do you want to do about it, Dom?”

Domencio’s smirk widened.

The phone in Lucio’s pocket beeped. Domencio watched him with keen interest. He checked his text message. He saw the picture of himself kneeling at Dolly’s bedside. His gaze lifted to Domencio, who now grinned. The text read: ‘Love birds”.

Marcello sent a reply. “Returning to Vegas. Sebastiano?”

Sebastiano sent a thumbs-up text to show he was on his way as well. Lucio was fucked.

“We’ll finish this later when the brothers arrive. You’ve got a princess to save,” Domencio said and tipped his head in respect. He left Lucio standing in his suite alone. He turned to the door, but Tristan’s mental voice stopped him.

“We have her. Do not enter.”

“You don’t command me!” Lucio replied.

“They’re running tests. Be ready for the medic to update you soon. I must watch over Marcello’s team. We discussed this. Take a moment. Take longer than a moment. Feed.”

“I’m not hungry,” Lucio said.

Tristan had arrived with men or soldiers who worked for Lucio as additional security. One was at the door, and Lucio barely noticed. That was until the young vamp opened it. A young and beautiful black woman with a center part of waist-length braids and alluring eyes stepped inside. She wore a hostess uniform for the hotel.”

“It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Don Di Salvo. I am here to serve,” she said with a sweet smile.

Lucio grimaced.

“FEED!” Tristan demanded.

The mental command was stronger than the first. Tristan was not holding back. “I don’t know what happened in here between you and Domencio, boss, and I don’t care. We have some serious damage control. Your brothers are returning. Connect with Marcello before he lands and handle Sebastiano’s arrival. We are close to Vittorio learning the truth ahead of schedule. I will protect Dolly and Darlene. I will protect them both with my life.”

Lucio’s hand fell away from the door handle. He ran it through his hair, and let go a deep exhale. Tristan was right. Domencio had gained more knowledge about Lucio and Dolly in the past hour than Lucio had ever intended to share withanyone. He had messed up, and now he had no idea what Domencio would do next.

He took a deep breath and stepped away from the door.

“What’s your name, sweetheart?” Lucio asked without looking at her.

“My name is Rachel,” she replied. “I was offered a job a month ago here in the hotel, in case my… blood was needed.”

“Let me guess. Creole? From Louisiana?” he asked.

“Yes,” she smiled. “How did you guess that?”

“My favorite,” he replied. Lucio's gaze shifted in her direction. He extended his hand to her. “Come closer, I won’t bite. Not yet.”

Rachel slipped under his spell. The soldier in the room stepped outside. His feeding would have to be fresh, not farmed into a glass by a donating mortal. He needed the offering directly from its source for his Draca. He entered Rachel’s mind and learned everything about her—all of her dreams and hopes. How she was the daughter of the sect that worshiped the Order. She had made this choice under the influence of her mother and sisters. She was selected, promoted, and groomed for him by Tristan since they arrived in Vegas. And he carried guilt for it. But this was part of the life he was cursed to live. A part he could not deny.

“You’re so beautiful, Rachel,” he said and touched her cheek lovingly.

“Thank you, Mr. Di Salvo.” She swooned and stepped closer to him. Her hand went to his chest. Her eyes slowly lowered. She turned her neck to him and her breasts heaved as she drew in a deep breath of anticipation.

He would do his best to make sure she survived and send her away with enough riches to ensure her mother and those around her never tempted her to sacrifice herself again to a beast like him. As his fangs dropped and he took her up into his arms, hethought of Darlene, and her dark whispers when he fed on her: “You know you like this vampire. You know you want it. Stop pretending. This is what you are.”

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