Page 73 of The Vampire Kingpin
Velma’s mouth turned down. “They should’ve never put you in that situation. Never.”
I rubbed my hands down my face. “I know. But I should’ve made them come with me. I should’ve convinced them somehow.”
Spider crouched in front of me. “They made their choice when they signed that contract, Lark. They knew they were taking a risk. And they loved you, right?”
“Yeah.” I dragged my teeth over my lower lip, remembering how my father had always had a joke ready, and how my mom had been such a patient teacher, making sure I could do anything from hustling pool to speaking perfect Spanish.
“So think about it—would they want you blaming yourself like this?”
I stared at Spider, at the concern for me etched in every line of his powerful, rangy body, and something inside me shifted. He was right. My parents had preached life-is-too-short-for-regrets like it was their gospel. They’d learned from their mistakes, applied the lessons to the next job.
“No,” I said slowly, “they wouldn’t have. They always said guilt was a waste of energy and brain power. They would’ve hated knowing that I was still angry and hurting and blaming myself that they’d gotten staked. In fact, Dad would’ve told me to stop whining and get back on the goddamn horse.”
“That’s what I thought,” said Spider. “Not that I knew them, but I’ve seen you in action, and that Lark doesn’t give up. If she can’t fight her way out of trouble, she charms her way out of it. I figure you got that from them.”
Beside me, Velma nodded.
“I suppose.” My mouth twitched up. “Hell, they were even more charming. They’d had a hundred-plus years to work on their game.”
“Yeah?” He gave a small smile in return. “I mean, what they did was fucked up, but they sound like a helluva pair.”
“They were.” I reached for his hands. “Thank you. They would’ve liked you.” I gave a lopsided grin, trying to lighten things up because if I didn’t, I was going to get all sentimental. “Especially your money.”
Spider squeezed my hands, his brown eyes warm. “Damn, I hate to think about you being all alone. But no more, understand? You’re one of us now. You tell me you were just trying to put Grimclaw off, then I believe you. Hell, I should’ve realized that’s what you were doing, so that’s on me. It won’t happen again. Okay?”
“Okay.” I looked at his long, competent fingers wrapped around mine, blinking back tears. He’d accepted my explanation completely, and he was offering me his trust. He couldn’t know what that meant.
“So,” Spider prompted. “You’re officially a member of the Cavern now. Right?”
He said it with typical alpha confidence, but the fact that he was pressing me on it told me he wanted the words from me. The next move was mine. I was free to do whatever I wanted. I could run again, or I could stand and fight.
I drew a deep breath, equal parts scared and exhilarated.
The future was a wild card, but for the first time ever, it was mine to deal. I had a shot to rebuild, to seize control of my life, with Spider and his motley crew of misfits backing me up. There wasn't any other group I'd rather roll with.
“Yes.” I squeezed Spider’s fingers and let some of what I was feeling onto my face in smile that felt too big for my face. “I’d be honored to join your lair.”
“Permanently?”
“Permanently,” I confirmed.
That raw something flashed in his eyes. “You won’t be sorry,” he said so fiercely, it sounded like a vow.
I held his gaze, my heart thumping at the intensity emanating from him. Maybe he was feeling some of what I did, too?
I leaned closer, drawn to him like he was a human magnet.
His Adam’s apple bobbed. “Lark…?”
“Welcome to the Cavern,” Velma said, and we both jolted. “Yeah,” she murmured dryly, “I’m still here.” She chuckled.
“Okay.” Spider rose from his crouch and retook his seat, leaving me to wonder what he’d been about to ask. “Lark, why don’t you start by telling us everything you know about Jared Darkman.”
“I can do better than that.” I was on my feet now, mind working. “I know Jared—how to push his fucking buttons. Let’s turn this around on him.”
Velma nodded approvingly. “I like how you think.”
“Thanks.” I grinned at her. “Jared’s already made one mistake—following me to New York. It’s not his town now, is it?”
