Page 95 of Fated to the Wolf Billionaire

“You know wolves don’t share, Carmine, so don’t even consider it. We’re here strictly on business.”

He waved away Darick, seeming bored that I didn’t rise to his prodding. “Yes, I’m aware. Such prudishness from a long-lived species never did make sense to me, but whatever makes you happy, I suppose. Would you care for a drink, or shall we get down to the brass tacks?”

When I declined a tall, willowy female vampire with a bottle of vodka, he continued.

“Very well. I’m given to understand that you’re looking for a prime piece of real estate to open a new restaurant on the Strip? I might have something available that I could sell in the spirit of interspecies goodwill.”

“As much as I appreciate that, Carmine, I’m afraid I’m here on pack business, in addition to restaurant business.”

His serene expression never wavered, but all the vampires around us who’d resumed their normal behaviors once again went statue still. Eavesdropping, every one of them, and not liking the turn of the conversation.

A near imperceptible twitch of Carmine’s finger, and they all resumed motion, his own little puppets on strings.

“That’s not a terrible surprise, given you’ve recently had such turmoil in the wolf dynamics.” His steady red gaze left mine and once again landed on Fiona. I liked it even less the second time.

“Yes, most of it not of our own making, I’m sure you realize. We find ourselves under attack by petty usurpers who don’t like the fact that their own packs historically lack the power of Caelestis and Blackwater.”

He nodded, taking a drink of his own vodka.

“Because of that, we find ourselves in need of something that the dwarf king has.” I saw no point in lying about the fact that he had something of ours. It was possible that Carmine knewexactlywhat we needed. Vampires were long-lived, and he himself had risen to his current position of power during the omega wars. Putting myself in a position to be proven deceitful in a negotiation only led to weakness. I preferred the position of strength, with all cards on the table.

“And good old Cysernaphus has sent you to repay his debt to me. Intriguing.” He set the vodka on the railing, straightening for the first time since we’d walked into the loft.

“Yes. And I’m more than willing to negotiate on behalf of my pack. As you have real estate you could part with, so do I. My research tells me that your nest has a growing interest in New York City? If you’re looking to expand the Sanguine empire, I’m in a prime position to make that happen.”

It might have galled another wolf to offer up one of my restaurants to a vampire as a feeder club, but frankly, he had to eat, and there were a growing number of humans who actively sought the paranormal for a thrill. Carmine’s reputation was squeaky clean; he didn’t kill his food source.

I could live with it if it kept my pack safe.

He nodded slowly, crossing his arms over his chest as he considered. “That does sound promising. For a man with appetites such as my own, though, I must confess—I was hoping for a livelier exchange. More of a fight, if you will.”

I couldn’t help but bristle. If he thought I was going to put on a show for his amusement, he was wrong. Vampires valued blood above all else, and I wasn’t going to waste precious time offering him something of low value. A feeder club with pack protection in New York City, where there was always a fresh stream of new humanity looking for a good time? It was a chance he should have jumped at.

So why isn’t he?

“Leave us.” He twitched one finger with the command, and the other vampires in the room all sped out so quickly, even my enhanced sight barely caught it. Some of them went over the railing, trusting that the humans below would never even see the leap.

Between heartbeats, we were alone. No, not quite. Darick still lingered, and his blood brother, Kieran. I focused hard on that stone wall, my fingers flexing on Fiona’s back as I worked to keep my thoughts and emotions neutral.

To her credit, my mate was a staunch presence at my side, unflapped by the sudden show of supernatural speed or the vampire’s bloody stare. I couldn’t squash the pride I felt in her, in how well she was made for me.

A feeling of warmth in my chest that I knew came from her nearly startled me into reacting, but I managed to hold it together at the last second.

“What Cysernaphus clearly failed to inform you of is that his debt to me is not merely one of business or convenience. No, Cysernaphus has paid me a great personal insult.”

Fucking bastard. Of course he’d insulted Carmine. He’d certainly paid several insults to the high alpha through his disrespect of our delegation. Why should he do any less to one of the oldest, most powerful vampires in the country?

“I would say I’m surprised, but he didn’t show much appreciation for the high alpha’s authority either.”

“Pity.” There was a pregnant pause. “But I’m afraid, in order to truly consider the debt to Cysernaphus cleared, I’ll require more than a feeder club, delightful though it sounds.”

In a rare show of feeling, he stroked his throat, as if it were dry in a way the vodka couldn’t soothe.

“You passed my little test last night with flying colors, as I expected. And normally, a few sips of your predator blood would be enough to provide me with extra stamina for months. Combined with your distaste for the entire affair, the insult would be assuaged.”

This time, I did bristle. He’d sent the hunter, which suddenly made much more sense. He was no random straggler, slipped through the vampires’ security. He’d been allowed in, pointed in our direction to see if I had hidden backup from my pack.

Instead of wolves barreling in to protect us, he’d seen Fiona and me fight for our lives, not just against the hunter but the wolves who’d in turn attacked us. I’d had my suspicions, but clearly, he was after something specific if he was admitting it.

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