Page 52 of Princess For All

But the lessons also helped me with James because it reminded me why I liked him. He was a patient and smart man. He liked spending time with me, and it was like he was reaching out to me instead of my always waiting for him.

That was obvious when he asked to spend time with me at my glass warehouse and asked me how it worked. We also had a sniper rifle date that was only during lunch, but it was… It was our version of fun. Healthy competition and just being together.

“One of the psychiatrists made it clear that everyone needs some healthy outlets now that—you need them,” I said to the humans gathered at Albuquerque. “I get it. You’re safer but still trapped. Things are better, but hope seems too far away. We’re willing to try one of her suggestions, but we cannot and will notguaranteeyour safety.

“That—this is the apocalypse. We will do our best. We think it’s safe and it should be fine. It should go as planned, but I am not omniscient, and nothing is perfect. So I want that crystal fucking clear before we tell you what we have set up. And it’s for only a hundred of you. This time. A hundred at a time.” I waited with bated breath to see how that went over.

“What’s the plan, Princess?” Chris asked when people seemed to accept that.

“Shooting fish in a barrel, but not fish and not in a barrel,” I told him, giving a half shrug when he frowned. “Corrupted. Letting people shoot corrupted with a vampire partner to get them out if need be or help them with big guns. We’ve got the lure.” I gestured to myself. “And we’ve got guns set up on rooftops.”

There was more I was going to explain, but someone interrupted.

“Shit, sign me up,” a woman called out, waving her hand. “I never even got the chance to smash one. I mean, I’mblessedthat I got somewhere safe fast. I know that.I know thatbut fuck, I’ve needed to just—and like—I’ll shoot all them fuckers if you tell me how.Please, let me.”

That was theoverwhelmingconsensus. And most of them women since—it wasn’t as sexist as it sounded, but more men had military and police backgrounds. That was just reality. So they handled the weapons mostly in the apocalypse.

“Okay, okay, we’ll do it. We have it set up to draw out more corrupted,” I told them as I held up my hands. “The docs told us what the anti-nausea meds are to raid for and the lemon juice has been helping.” I let out a slow breath. “There’s no easy way to manage this especially since we need order to do this safely.

“No matter how we do it, some people are going to bitch. We know that. I get it, I feel the same a lot. It’s going to come off a bit like a pat on the head or giving—I get it.However, we pay attention, and it’s our job to keep you safe and keep things running smoothly. So I have lists of people who have stepped up and who haven’t.

“Who are the ones who do more after their shifts and who just sits around and bitches. Those who help others with kids and check on people—you get the idea. It’s easier forusto send one of the jets or we have people who want to hunt too. So yeah, we’re going to take the people who do more and help out. If we’re going to spend time we could be relaxing to manage this…”

I shrugged. What else was there really to say? Did it seem like giving the kids who behaved well a cookie?

Yes. Absolutely, but that was a lot oflife. Trisha said that was even how the tax system was set up. Those who paid in advance and paid on time and gave donations got money back and no fines with a pat on the head. Everything was set to reward the rule followers and good kids.

In theory. We all knew that wasn’t how real life worked, but intheorythat was how things were set up.

I was simply the boss now and could make sure it was how it really happened.

I gave Kristof a heated kiss and the jar of my blood, thanking him for handling it.

He glanced past me to Vitor and Tian who were my security. “Take my love to the castle and protect her with your life while we help here.”

I started to go to Tian but at the last minute diverted to Vitor, letting them both see that I’d done it on purpose. One was happy.

One wasnot.

Let the games begin.

I’d made sure we were doing this on a night when they were my guards and we could have some privacy besides the privacy of my tower already. I let Vitor carry me all the way up—even in the elevator—which he enjoyed.

The kiss even more so.

Once we were in my room, I moved my fingers over his lips. “There is something that I need and you will forever keep it a secret for me. I’mtrusting youto be on my side and give me what I need.” I waited until he slowly nodded. “And I’ll give you more than what you need in return. I’ll give you what youwantand desperately. What’s been eating at you.”

I smirked when I saw heat flash in his eyes. Yeah, everyone had been seeing his jealous glances at James’s necklace.

Fine, he didn’t want a pink diamond sub collar… But he wanted something personal from me and clearly marking him as mine.

“I would always keep your secrets and give you anything, My Princess,” he promised me. “Even without the bribe or reward.”

“I know, but I wanted you to understand that I value and appreciate you,” I told him. I stepped away and moved closer to Tian.

And started stripping much to his delight.

Once naked, I sank to my knees and stared up at him. “Can I please suck your cock, Liu Tian?”

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