Page 5 of Visions in Blood
Patrice laid a hand on his arm, her gaze showing emotion for the first time.Fear.
At her touch, Sorrento shrugged.“No disrespect to your species.”
“Of course.”Devon eyed him until the other man lowered his gaze.
“Look, she’s excellent at her job, and if she’s returned a bit battered, she’ll snap out of it.I might need a day or two once I pick her up, but I can deliver her all boxed up wherever you need her.”
He held his inner rage from building, not wanting his eyes to flash and give Patrice an early warning.Sergi rose at the same time he did.
“I’ll give it some thought.”He strode for the door, not hearing nor caring what Sorrento blathered on about.He shoved past people with barely an apology.This man thought he owned Cressa.The thought of someone grabbing her off the street and keeping her locked in a box made his beast howl like a common shifter.
He’d marched a block before Sergi grabbed his elbow.Without a word, he let Sergi direct him back half a block to an alley where a shiny muscle car waited.
“I can put extra protection on her.”
He considered his guard’s suggestion.“After tonight, she won’t require more than Lucas or Simone.”
“And Underwood?”
“He’s next on my list.”
Before he could say more, footsteps came from the direction of the bar.Four people.It could be anyone, but as the group grew closer, he picked up Sorrento’s scent.He glanced at Sergi, and a blink confirmed he’d caught it, too.
They backed into the shadows.Sergi placed himself several feet in front of the car while Devon disappeared toward the rear.Time to test what type of vampire Patrice was—a bodyguard with alert senses scanning the area or a foolish, arrogant young blood, dependent on chemicals doing the work for her.
Voices and soft laughter preceded the group as they turned into the alley.The two bodyguards walked behind Sorrento and Priscilla, and after a precursory glimpse beyond the car, approached without any concerns.
Devon waited until one of the bodyguards reached for a door before stepping out of the darkness as Patrice finally became aware of him.When the others turned toward him, Patrice spun around to find Sergi blocking their exit.
The bodyguards surrounded Sorrento, who gave Patrice a chilling stare before turning to face Devon.
“What’s this about?If you have a problem with how I conduct business, you should come back during business hours.”
Sorrento’s strong tone and the way he adjusted his shoulders before stretching his neck and fisting his hands would make one believe he was ready for a fight.But Devon didn’t have to reach far with his senses to smell the fear rolling off the man.It stank of old sweat, cheap whiskey, and false bravado.
He stepped closer, choosing a spot within the dim light from nearby windows.“I have a problem with people spreading stories about me and mine.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You traded Pandora to The Wolf in exchange for a debt, isn’t that correct?”
Sorrento’s eyes flashed to Patrice, who backed away, most likely finding a place to spring from.
“You seem to know a lot about my business.”
“The Wolf then exchanged Pandora for his own debt.”Devon waited for Sorrento to catch on to where this was going.
Sorrento stepped back, his gaze narrowing.He seemed to finally understand his dilemma.
“I don’t like people talking about my business or spreading gossip about my family.Pandora’s debt belongs to me, and once paid, she’s free to pursue her old trade.”Devon took a step closer.“She doesn’t belong to anyone for barter.”His eyes flashed with the ice blue of the beast.“And she doesn’t belong in a box.No one does.”
Patrice stepped toward him as one of the bodyguards turned toward the alley entrance.Sergi had moved closer, and the man stumbled backwards, running into his buddy.
“I can be discreet.I give you my word.Just give me a chance.”This was a different Sorrento.A submissive part he didn’t play often, it appeared.
“If you could be discreet, you wouldn’t be telling stories about Pandora.Or the House Trelane.”
“Mr.Trelane, I meant no disrespect, a brother just needs to make a living.”
