Page 102 of Rites of Passage

Mae cut her eyes to Vlad. “I hope they were all good things.”

Vlad smirked.

A stylish older woman in an elegant black dress appeared from inside the mansion, her eyes bright as she studied Mae. “Oh my.”

“Mae, this Lena Dubravac,” Vlad said.

Mae startled when Lena clasped her arms and pulled her in to kiss her cheeks.

The older woman stepped back and beamed at Mae and Vlad. “You shall make beautiful babies.”

Hellreaver sniggered on Mae’s chest.

“I doubt that’s going to happen anytime soon,” Mae said politely.

Vlad slipped a hand on her lower back. “I would like three.”

Mae ignored his heated touch and curled a lip. “Oh, please! You’ve not even gotten to second base yet.”

Lena sucked in air. Gustav inspected his shoes.

“Would you like me to get one of my former girls to show you the ropes?” Lena asked Vlad perfunctorily.

Vlad shuddered. “No, thanks.”

Mae headed down the corridor to their right.

“How do you know my uncle’s office is over there?” Vlad said, surprised.

“Because Tarang went that way and I can hear him scratching and yowling at a door.”

“Don’t kill anybody,” Lena called out. “You know that white rug is a bitch to get blood out of.”

“She’d get along with my mom,” Mae observed as Vlad caught up with her.

“Maybe I should invite her and Gustav over to Sunday brunch.”

Noah’s face popped up in Mae’s mind. “I think Noah might get another ulcer.”

They came abreast of the door where Tarang waited impatiently, the tiger looking mighty miffed that his paws were too big to twist the handle.

They have guns in there, Brimstone told Mae.

She shrugged.It’s a crime lord’s house. I’d be surprised if there weren’t any.

Brimstone huffed.You’re being very nonchalant about this.

That’s because I know you and Hell have my back. As does Vlad.

Damn right we do, Hellreaver gloated.

Mae frowned.Besides, after the shit we just went through, this is gonna be a pleasant interlude.

Vlad opened the door.

The man who rose from the Chesterfield sofa next to the fireplace couldn’t be anyone but Yuliy Vissarion.

“Welcome,” the Black Devils’ crime lord said in a neutral voice.

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