Page 8 of Betrayed in Blood
Her laugh was throaty as she took a last look in a mirror. “I have to warn you. I’ll be on my best behavior, but Pandora is itching to play.”
She rarely mentioned her alter ego, her street name when she’d been a thief. Well, she was still a thief, and as she walked out the door, he remembered one other thing. Something they hadn’t spoken of since her first days at the manor, which seemed longer ago than the several months it had been. She owed him a debt. A financial debt in which he’d released The Wolf in trade for a thief.
He pushed it aside. There wasn’t time for that here. He caught up to her as they strode down the hallway, and he reached for her hand. “All I can ask is that Pandora remembers her decorum.”
She patted his arm, and if she was going to respond, she held her tongue as they reached the Oslo twins, who waited for them at the end of the hall. Both vampires gave Cressa a long appraisal.
“I’m glad to see our Cressa looks well.” Erik partially bowed as he held out an arm, directing them to the left. “I understand the heat might have been too much.”
Before Devon could respond, Cressa laughed. “Don’t worry. I can take the heat.”
“There was never a doubt.” Erik led them through the manor decorated with a combination of ancient weapons, fine sculptures, and superb artwork. Not overly masculine or feminine, it was a beautiful home.
The expansive sunroom opened on one side to a terrace where a long table overlooked the same garden visible from their room. Gregor waited for them, drink in hand as he leaned against a stone and wrought iron railing while he spoke to a vampire with his same features. Not Alejandro, but another son.
He turned when they approached, setting down his glass so he could take both of Cressa’s hands. “I must apologize for my earlier deception, but you’ll soon understand.”
Cressa didn’t waver from his gaze. “I’ll expect nothing less.” While the threat seemed to register with Gregor, Cressa’s huge smile was difficult to ignore, and with an understanding nod, he returned her smile.
“The more time we spend together, the more I understand Erik and Ulrik’s fascination with you. Come, meet the rest of my family.”
The vampire he’d been speaking to was Miguel, his second oldest, who gave Cressa the European greeting of touching cheeks before shaking Devon’s hand.
“I look forward to the time you’ll be spending here. I don’t believe Father has mentioned it yet, but I’ll be giving you a tour of our offices. I believe we have some similar interests.”
“I look forward to that as well.” Devon turned when a young female vampire gave them the same warm greeting.
“I’m Mariah, the youngest.”
“But the fiercest,” said another male vampire. He had a fire in his gaze Devon had yet to see in the others, which was no doubt held just beneath the surface. “I’m Ernesto.” He put an arm around his sister’s shoulder. “Mariah leads our security teams.”
Mariah elbowed him. “Don’t embarrass me.” She turned to Devon and Cressa. “Ernesto is a fine soldier, but he spends too much time chasing females.”
If her brother took offense, it was hard to tell. Cressa seemed charmed by the young vampire.
“Don’t let my children fool you.” Gregor had retrieved his drink. “They are all well-trained fighters, but Mariah has a natural instinct for strategy as well as tactical defenses.”
“I would love to hear more,” Cressa said. “I have a few tricks of my own.”
Mariah’s laugh was musical. “So Erik and Ulrik have told me. Perhaps while my brothers bore Devon with our company business, we can spend time in the training room.”
“It’s a date.”
“Don’t let anyone fool you about Ernesto.” A dark-haired beauty, who Devon would be hard-pressed to guess her age, entered the terrace and took a glass of what looked like sangria from Erik. “Alejandro is the leader of the cadre and the family business, Miguel runs the businesses, and Ernesto has technical skills unheard of in most circles.”
“You mean he’s a hacker.” Cressa winked at Ernesto.
“The best I’ve seen,” Alejandro wrapped an arm around the woman and gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek. “How are you, Mother?”
She patted his hand and gave him a return kiss. “I’m feeling much better.”
“This is my wife, Sonja.” Gregor’s eyes caressed her as he said her name.
There was true admiration and love between these two, but as Sonja grasped Devon’s hand, he was in for a shock. Sonja wasn’t vampire.
I wasn’tsure what was happening, but I’d sensed a change in Devon the minute he shook Sonja’s hand.
Sonja gave Devon a wicked smile. “We have much to discuss over dinner. Shall we be seated?”
