Page 55 of Make Me Bleed

“Come with me,” I tell him, guiding him past the offending couch and into the kitchen.

He rasps, “Always,” moving with me so it’s easier to lead him toward the door that leads out back.

We slip out together, the house a barrier between us and whatever is still going out in the town square. The sounds are muffled. Muted. I’m hoping that Conall has taken control of the scene, sending everyone inside and locking down the sanctuary until he can find out from Hank and me what exactly happened.

I’ll tell him. I’ll be happy to. However, he’s just going to have to wait until I’m so irrevocably bonded to my bear, no one can ever try to separate us.

That’s what Julian tried to do. He must’ve realized how close I was to finally accepting Hank as my beloved and this was his last ditch effort.

For what? Power? Is that what he wanted?

Oh, well. He got justice instead, and now I’ll have my forever.

But first?—

He’s watching me closely, chest still heaving though it looks like he’s trying his damndest to get his rage under control. Once again, Hank is doing everything he can to keep from frightening me, but it’s moments like these that I really do think that he forgets that I’m a vampire.

Hank just got so furious that another male hit me and tried to claim me that, in response, he challenged Julian andtore off his head. Nothing says ‘I love you’ more to a violent supe than a reaction like that.

Blood and violence are as much a part of his type of supe as it is mine.

So, no, I don’t care about the blood. Just like I’m sure Hank wouldn’t care one bit that I’m covered in dirt except that it’s a reminder that the other vampire managed to strike me before my beloved could intervene.

Now it’s just the two of us again, and he’s watching me closely like he’s always done, only he’s started to prowl around me as though desperate to touch me, but unsure if I would welcome him.

I can’t just jump him. Not right now. Not like this. He’ll think that I’m doing it in some strange way to thank him for saving me from Julian. And while Idoappreciate it—and watching the fight was as arousing as it was terrifying—that rogue has nothing to do with the mating dance going on between my honey bear and me.

He’s mine. He always has been.

More importantly, he’s the only male I could choose.

Julian wanted to own me. Peter wanted to possess me.

And Hank?

He just wants toloveme.

It’s time I let him.

First, though, I close the gap between us. Grabbing each of his arms in one of my hands, I tether him to me. Slowly, slowly,I pull him again until we’re standing next to the large boulder behind my house.

The sun’s starting to go down. I barely notice the way it ducks behind the trees, bringing the shadows of the night with its descent. I’m focusing on Hank only, trying to pull him out of his berserker rage, bringing the big teddy bear back to me.

This rock is where Hank perched me that time he snuck into Dyea and offered to feed his mate. I ease myself on top of it, hoping he remembers.

If he’s the male I think he is, he’ll only have one response to it…

He blinks, the fury bleeding out of his gaze as he looks me over. I see the moment he comes back to me, remembering how Julian flung me around like a rag doll.

Hank inches closer. “Lise… Are you hurt? That bastard… are you okay?”

“I’m a vampire,” I remind him gently. “I was healed almost as soon as I hit the ground.”

He curses under his breath as he takes a few stormy steps away from the rock. “I shoulda stopped him before he could get his hands on you.”

No.No. I don’t want angry Hank. I want the Hank who looks at me in pure devotion, not like he isn’t worthy of my love and affection.

And there’s only one way I can think to do it.

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