Page 21 of Blood Descendants
He watches every move I make with rapt attention.
“Why would I still be shy around my fiancée, Vengeance?” he asks, playing stupid.
I flip him my middle finger, unsure how to take it, how unabashed he is. I accept the pants Mrs. Lamont hands me. I step into them, appreciating how perfectly they hug my hips and waist. Next, I pull on the form-fitting red top I’m given.
“You approve?” Mrs. Lamont asks. Not me—Ares.
Ares nods. “She’ll wear that one out. My driver will load everything up. You can charge it all to the card I gave you over the phone.”
“Yes, Mr. Hunt,” she says with a very satisfied smile and a nod. I wonder just how much all this is going to ring up to be.
No. Actually, I really don’t want to know.
“Do I fit the part yet?” I ask as I pull some shoes on, hopping for a moment to keep my balance.
“No one will question you,” Ares says as he watches me walk up to him. I still feel it as he shamelessly scrapes his eyes up the length of me. “You’re just about ready to step into this nightmare, Vengeance.”
He climbs out of his chair and aims for the front door. “Thank you, Mrs. Lamont.”
“You’re very welcome, Mr. Hunt,” she calls after us.
Outside, I find Ares’ bike parked at the curb, very illegally. Guess when you’re a vampire, you think you can get away with anything.
I just shake my head and climb back onto the bike behind Ares.
Chapter 6
We park back in the garage of our new building. In the lobby, Billings is waiting with all my bags. I blush at the absurdity of it all. But Ares simply takes them from his driver and heads for the elevator.
“Since we’re supposed to know each other on a deep level, I’m just going to say it,” I announce as we step into the elevator, which feels crowded with all the bags. “I grew up pretty damn poor. We didn’t have money. I’ve never made much in my life. So, you just dropping all this money, it’s weird for me.”
I feel Ares’ eyes on me. As if he knows there’s more coming, he doesn’t say anything. “I’ve been financially independent since my dad died. The struggle has been real, but I’ve been making it work. But you just dropping serious money when it comes to me?” I shake my head. “I’ll admit, it makes me uncomfortable. I don’t want you thinking I’m just secretly thinking I hit the jackpot.”
The elevator opens, but neither of us steps out immediately.
“I’ve never had to want for anything in my life, Lana,” Ares says, and when the elevator doors start closing, he throws his hand out, bags and all, stopping it. “I know that’s an advantage of privilege. All of this in the last two days? It doesn’t mean much to me. I appreciate what you’re saying. But don’t for one second think I’m doing you a bigger favor than you’re doing me. The money means nothing. But bringing you into this hostile world? That’s the real ask.”
I swallow once, holding his intense gaze.
I think we see this in very different ways. But all that tells me is just how truly ignorant I am of what I’m about to walk into.
“Okay,” I say simply. “Just so long as you get that I’m really not a gold digger.”
“It never crossed my mind, Vengeance,” he says sincerely. And we both step out of the elevator.
“So, I know you grew up rich,” I say as I unlock the door and push it open for him. We walk through the entryway and into the living room. The drapes are drawn, leaving the room dim. “You have a sister. And your father is some kind of tycoon that borders on mafia status. I think it’s your turn to start spilling more details about your past, fiancé.”
Ares sets the bags on the kitchen island before he aims for the living room. He pulls his sunglasses off, letting out a relieved sigh. He sets them down on the coffee table and rubs his eyes before pressing his thumb and forefinger into the inner parts of his eyes.
Just how much pain has he been in all day? He never gave an indication today while we were out, but as he sinks down into a chair, he looks like he has a massive migraine.
“Can I get you something?” I ask without thinking, my brows furrowed. “Water? Some Aspirin?”
Ares looks up at me from beneath his dark eyelashes, a hint of a smile pulling on his mouth. “I’ll be alright, Vengeance. This will fade in a few minutes. But thank you.”
His tone makes me wonder if anyone has ever taken care of him. The way he’s looking at me makes me wonder if he’s wondering if anyone’s ever taken care of me.
I just nod and curl up on the couch I occupied last night.
