Page 127 of Blood and Buttercups

“Chase will take care of it,” Cassian says. “Our job here is done.”

Ethan spilled everything—how he paid the woman to infect him, her connection with Reid, how he attacked me, stalked me, kidnapped Olivia, killed Kevin and the woman he was with, framed a guy for it, and tried to kill Noah.

There was a lot to confess.

“Talk to Melissa,” Cassian says. “Stay the night—I have rooms for everyone.”

“Just how many guest rooms do you have?” I ask.

“Twenty-seven,” the handsome vampire growls, the question irritating him.

“Is that…bad?”

“The Biltmore has thirty-five.”

“The Biltmore in North Carolina?” I ask.

He nods.

“I’m sorry?”

“As am I.” He sighs as if attempting to let it go. “I need a shower.”

Noah nods, agreeing. “I’ll take my usual room.”

“That’s fine.”

“You have a room?” I ask Noah.

“I told you—Cassian and I used to be close,” Noah says, heading down the hall.

“We’re still close,” Cassian yells, rolling his eyes when he looks back at me.

“Don’t you hate lovers’ quarrels?” I tease.

The vampire’s lips curve in a crooked smile. “I don’t swing that way, Piper. Shall I show you how much I enjoy the fairer sex?”

I press my hand on his chest, holding him back. “You shall not.”

He grins, chuckling. “Later, perhaps.”

“Thank you for everything you did today.”

“It’s all part of the job.” He leans in, grinning. “I’m your conservator, after all.”

“Still?”

“Once Reid is gone, Noah will be returned to the field. I’m not going to leave you conservatorless.”

He might as well take that stake he’s casually holding and stab it in my heart.

“Back to Denver?” I say quietly.

Cassian’s eyes search mine, sympathetic. “That’s where his life is. And your life is in Glenwood Springs, with your flowers.”

I nod, looking down. “Right.”

I knew this all along—I warned myself not to become attached.

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