Page 72 of V for Vindictive

Sloan’s rich laughter was like coming home after a long stay away, and I did my best not to smile like a total goof in response. “A fight, love. It’s time I stop playing second fiddle.”

I really didn’t know what Sloan was on about—I’d never understand British people, let alone dudes in general—but it was so good to see him again.

I’d spent so long trying to recall the details of Sloan’s face, his body, his brilliant pale-blue eyes and good-looking dude smile, that it almost didn’t seem real to see them exactly how I remembered them right in front of me.

His gorgeous face was still devastating the second I laid my eyes on it, and I’d never get over how good he looked in anything he wore. Donning nothing but Hunter attire, Sloan gave the fashionably dressed man nearby a run for his money. I mean, I half expected the two of them to manifest a catwalk nearby and have a full-blownZoolanderinspired model-off. It bore repeating that neither one would look ill-fitted in a high-fashion space.

Not at all.

While Cash gave the impression of it with his clothes and chic look, for Sloan, it was an entire vibe. The dude exuded a celebrity air, and it never failed to shine through on the darkest days.

Guilt should be wreaking havoc on my body and mind, but unfortunately, my elation with Sloan’s unexpected return took front and center.

The Brit took several steps before closing the space between us, and his eyes stayed with me, never finding their way back over to the Dark Fae. Then his luminous gaze dropped to my hand where Phillip’s ring took the place of his. For some odd reason, I wanted to hide my hand away from view. As if that would even work with someone like Sloan.

I was such an idiot.

To my continued dismay, the shame rising into my throat was born out of removing the gift the Brit gave me andnotbecause I’d spent the better part of the prior evening dreaming about Sloan and his silky-soft lips and lust-roughened voice.

My head is all fucked up.

“Itisvery beautiful,” Sloan muttered softly, something about his guttural voice making my throat quickly seize. “Though, I’d argue not as fitting as the one I gave you.”

Holy hell, shots fired…

Ask anyone and swooning wasso19th century, but it didn’t stop me from falling victim to it the minute the sultry Brit’s statement hit. I barely caught the way Cassius’s lips tilted upwards before Sloan was speaking again.

“I’ve missed you.”

The guilt I’d been waiting for finally showed the fuck up. But sadly, it wasn’t because I’d betrayed Phillip; it was because Ididn’tfeel guilty about my exhilaration over the heartfelt statement said to me by a man I’d been yearning to see for days.

Déjà vu’s a bitch.

Sloan barely took another step before Phillip appeared out of nowhere, hand holding his friend’s shoulder. “Should I bother asking what the fuck you’re doing here?”

You could cut the tension with a knife, but Cassius didn’t seem to know how to read a goddamn room, because he very loudly bemoaned the partnership like his life had been ruined the second Sloan appeared. “I can’t believe I have to deal with both of you bloody wankers now. Whatdid I do to deserve this?!” Cassius complained loudly, stomping his foot like a toddler having a tantrum.

I couldn’t help it, I laughed out loud, and both of my Hunter companions didn’t manage to keep from smiling in response. But just as quickly, the two went back to silently staring at each other. My eyes flicked from Sloan to Phillip, then back to Sloan before I realized we were here to do a job.

“Find anything?” I asked Phillip, inadvertently hiding the hand with his ring on it.

The Austrian didn’t look over at first, and I almost thought he wouldn’t, but then his light gaze jerked over to where I stood. “If we move now, we’ll catch them before they fully awaken. Piece of cake.” Then his steely eyes were back on Sloan. “Again, why have you come? You were supposed to aid Rose with gathering the Hunters on the list.”

Cash peered quietly between the two Hunters before smirking. “Maybe I won’t need to worry about the lot of you. Seems like you’re plenty caught up in each other.”

Walking a wide circle around the soundlessly quarreling pair, Cassius came to stand beside me, eyes deciphering the quiet struggle taking place on my face. His purple dragon eyes naturally fell to where the bracelet he’d given me was hidden.

“You seem to be collecting a lot of jewelry these days,” he whispered, smirking happily when I glared at him. “It’ll be so very interesting to see which one you favor by the end of this little trip.”

I opened my mouth to lay into him, not sure what I’d say but figuring I’d use that teenage part of my brain to work it out while the words tumbled from my mouth. Unfortunately for me, Cash didn’t wait. He grabbed myhand and dragged me the direction Phillip mentioned the vampire coven was located.

“I’ll be taking this prize with me while you blokes have your little macho-man chat. Toodles!” Cassius called out, instantly barred by the other two when he put a leg out in an almost slap-stick comedy style.

It oddly reminded me of Mr. Bean, and I smiled without intending to. The day had devolved into a ridiculous series of events, so it seemed fitting it’d end with some weirdo Mr. Bean moment.

Granted, if the other two hadn’t stopped Cassius, the Dark Fae would’ve gotten a one-way ticket to Smackdown Town, thanks to yours truly, Vindictive V. I wasn’t the damsel sort. Sure, my head wasn’t exactly on straight these days, but I could handle some cowardly Fae who’d gotten a little too comfortable doing what he wanted.

Except, I’d been quietly desperate for an escape—and Cash appeared to pick up on my silent plea. It was in his eyes as they trailed back over his shoulder to find me, and it was the first time I wondered if maybe there could ever be a future where I forgave the man for all he’d done, much like I had Donna and Phillip.

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