Page 41 of The Vampire Kingpin
The last time Jared saw me, I’d been wearing the gold dress. I didn’t dare appear in it again, even this far from Darkman territory. And I definitely didn’t want to draw attention by going clubbing with the notorious Spider, the mysterious New York Underworld kingpin. Show up on his arm, and everyone would wonder who I was. Before I knew it, we’d be on someone’s Instagram.
Zayne and Spider turned identical frowns on me.
“Why not?” he asked.
I fingered the Rabanne’s silky gold material and muttered, “I’m not much of a dancer.”
That was a lie. I loved dressing up and going out to nightclubs. It was one of the best things about my old life, playing the princess—that is, a high-ranking vampire syndicate member—while my parents and I scoped out the best way to swipe whatever jewels or art we were after.
“Really,” Spider said flatly. “You told me your favorite tunes were anything you can dance to.”
Gods, I hated lying to him even about something this small. But I was committed now.
“I did, but—” I screwed up my nose. “No rhythm.”
Zayne’s brows climbed. “But the other night, when Jacko put on ‘In Da Club,’ you were shaking it with the rest of us.”
I blew out a breath. “Can we just drop it? I don’t wanna go, okay?”
“Sure,” she said, although I could tell she didn’t understand.
I rolled up the dress, avoiding both her and Spider’s eyes.
Maybe it was because I’d already been feeling raw and a little vulnerable, but this bomb of warmth had detonated in my belly and I had no clue how to handle it. Spider really did want me in his lair. This—getting my clothes—was proof. He wanted to demonstrate that I didn’t have to go back to Grimclaw for anything.
And here I was lying to him again. Even if it wasn’t a big deal—I mean who cared whether I could dance?—it made me feel dirty.
“I’ll just go put these things away.” I reached for the duffel bag but Spider got to it first.
“I’ll bring it.”
“Thanks.” I scooped up the rest, still avoiding his eyes, and hurried toward our bedroom.
No, Lark. Not our bedroom. His bedroom.
As soon as the door shut behind us, Spider said, “Is everything cool? You wanted your things, right?”
“Of course, I did. Just let me…” Even with this emotion-bomb tearing up my insides, I couldn’t thank Spider properly until the Rabanne was safely on a hanger in his closet.
I slid the dress onto a hanger and hung it next to one of Spider’s silk shirts, my mind flashing back to the last time I’d worn it, and how much I missed Mom and Dad.
Because I did. Every single day.
Even after what they’d done to me, I missed them.
But laid on top of that was this…wanting.
I wanted to go out clubbing—on Spider’s arm. Wanted the whole world to know we were a couple. Just…wanted.
Grimclaw had only begrudgingly given me sanctuary. If he’d known how dangerous it was to hide me, he would’ve tossed me out on my ass.
Spider wouldn’t do that.
Spider was the kind of guy who’d protect his own, and for some reason, he’d decided I was his. If I told him the truth, he’d try to help me. Starting with going after that prick Jared.
And I couldn’t let that happen. Jared and his primus father were too powerful. They’d stomp Spider and Zayne and Monster and the rest into the concrete with their fancy Italian-leather boots—and laugh while doing it.
As alpha, Spider couldn’t choose me—and I couldn’t let him. He had his lair to protect.
