Page 28 of The Way You Bite
Chapter Nine
Lexan reclined on the stiff overstuffed chair of the downtown coffeehouse and sipped a chai latte. The mixture was too sweet. What was it about Americans and their obsession with sugar?
The only reason he was taking this meeting with Ambrose was out of respect for the European peace treaty with Viktor and the rest of the DiFalco royals. Ironic, since they weren’t actually at peace.
Ambrose claimed the loveseat opposite, sitting slowly with perfect posture. He shifted away from a dusk sunbeam, twisted the window blinds closed, and put on his dark glasses. The sun wouldn’t kill a vamp of his age unless he was left naked and starving in it for several days, but he would find its heat uncomfortable. Vamps hid their vulnerability, but they were far more delicate than they cared to admit.
They nodded at each other in greeting.
Ambrose folded his hands in his lap. “I’m offended you didn’t let me know you would be in the country.”
“You look…the same, Ambrose. It has been many years since we’ve spoken. I hope all is well for you.” The leather of Lexan’s black jacket creaked in protest as he folded his arms across his chest. He didn’t trust this vamp. Ambrose might dabble in politics, but the narcissistic kid sucked at diplomacy and did whatever the hell he wanted. Although two centuries old, Ambrose remained a child in comparison to Lexan’s age. Ambrose had witnessed when Lexan attacked Vee’s grandfather, Mercutio, during the War. He had been a teenager, barely thirteen or fourteen, hiding behind his father, Viktor.
Ambrose’s eyes narrowed. “Everything was fine until I found out where you were last night.” He paused.
Lexan didn’t give him the gratification of replying.
Ambrose’s eyes narrowed. “What is the purpose of your visit in the States?”
Lexan leaned back, maintaining a mask of cool calm, and shrugged. He didn’t answer to any vampire. He had bypassed protocol to approach Vee. The old rules directed he contact Ambrose before confronting his betrothed. But this was about her life being at risk. One of those risks would be Ambrose when he knew the truth of her genetics.
The vampire leaned forward and spoke harshly, “I will put myself in your way if you involve her.”
Something possessive and lethal whipped through Lexan, shifting Ambrose from neutral political contact into the enemy category. “To whichherdo you refer?”
“Velvet Scarpa has nothing to do with Dominic’s war. You want to talk about Dominic, then ask me. You will stay away from her.”
“An assassination attempt led me to seek out the closest place for medical assistance last night, which turned out to be a veterinary hospital.”
“You’re actually going to try to sell me that bullshit?”
Lexan managed not to smile, although the effort was tough. “She was not protected like I’d expect your future wife to be. So exposed as a human pet doctor. Why is that, Ambrose?”
“It’s her wish.”
“You let the one destined to give you future heirs dictate her own lifestyle?” Lexan shouldn’t taunt him, but he was curious to find out why Ambrose didn’t treat her like he’d expect the true future Mrs. DiFalco to be regarded. Other DiFalco wives were locked down from the moment they said betrothal vows, sometimes before.
“Why did you seek her out?” Ambrose persisted.
“She has everything to do with this war. She’s a Scarpa. It was her mother who was murdered.”
Ambrose scowled. “I’d understand if you chose to end this war or escalate it until Dominic pushes for an end. Dominic claims the fight started as retribution for spilled blood. I can’t confirm the facts around his so-called vendetta since everyone involved is dead, other than Dominic. Until I have proof of what really transpired, I must allow things to play out.”
“You’ve taken a side, though, with your engagement.”
“That’s right…engaged. Leave her alone.” The kid had shitty diplomatic skills. He composed himself and folded his hands in his lap again.
“How do you know Dominic didn’t murder his wife and frame a wolf to launch his war?”
Ambrose waved his hand. “He was at an event the evening when his wife was killed. At least fifty witnessed him there. I was there. Airtight alibi.”
“How can we be absolutely sure on the timing of the kill?”
“Dominic and his wife may have had issues, but he would’ve been an idiot to murder her. A descendant of the original vampire?” Ambrose shook his head. “He wouldn’t have done it, no matter what interpersonal drama may have been going on between them.”
Lexan tented his hands and regarded Ambrose for a few silent seconds. “She is your future wife and will be accorded the respect the position warrants.” He bowed his head in deference, not that he meant respect. For her, he would respect and protect, possibly kill. The idea of mates popped into his brain again. He tried to dismiss it, but the longer he stared at Ambrose, the angrier and more possessive he felt toward Vee. He shuttled the thoughts into the back of his brain where it was less distracting. “I do not seek to hurt her, if that’s your concern.”
Although uncertain, he suspected Ambrose hadn’t bitten her yet. Demisang blood was touted to be almost as toxic as werewolf, if sucked by a vamp. That suggested he hadn’t pushed for sex. Vamps didn’t value virginity. They valued skills in the bedroom. Sex and blood sucking went hand-in-hand. Although the mental image of Ambrose’s mouth at her neck, his fangs in her throat, and him sucking her blood inspired a base instinct to kill.
