Page 77 of The Vampire's Vow

“Luci, it’s a trap!”

27

Luci

The elevator doors have already closed behind me. There’s no way to escape with Evi as I glance from Dante to Valentine, my arms tightening around her.

“You’re just in time,” Valentine says, finishing off his drink before setting it down on the table. “I was beginning to wonder if I’d made a mistake in judgement.”

“Everything about you is a mistake in judgement.”

“Now, now, Lucien,” Valentine scoffs, “there’s never a need for dull comebacks. You’re better of saving your voice for when Evi truly needs to hear it … perhaps while you’re forced to watch me fuck your name right out of her memory. Just like I did with your late wife.”

It takes every ounce of control left in me not to throw myself at him, but I don’t dare put Evi down. Not until I know what the hell is going on here.

For now, my safest bet is standing where I am, as far from Valentine as possible.

“What did you do to him?” I ask, jerking my head toward Dante.

“Oh, that’s nothing. Just a little paralysis. I’m sure Evi can tell you all about that, after all, it’s your fault she’s experienced it in the first place.”

I glare at him, the edges of my vision darkening. I know that he’s trying to get a rise out of me, and as much as I hate to say it, he’s starting to.

I want to kill him, but I can’t.

It needs to be Dante, or at the very least, Seven. Neither of whom is currently in the state to do so.

Alright, I just need to keep Evi safe until one of them is.

“Come here, Lucien.”

“I’m good, thanks.”

“I said,” Valentine growls, his eyes flashing dangerously, “come here.”

The next thing I know, I’m shoved forward as several of Valentine’s men step out of the elevator. I hold Evi tightly to my chest, my mind racing as I try to decide what to do next.

“What do you want?” I ask as stop in front of Dante’s desk, refusing to allow Valentine to stare me down.

“Put her down here,” he says, pointing at the table.

“I don’t think—”

One of his men lands a heavy punch to my kidney, and I’m forced to my knees even as I clutch Evi close to keep from dropping her.

“Put her on the desk,” Valentine snarls, leaning over it, “or things will only get worse for youandEvi.”

“I’m sorry, Evi,” I whisper. “I swear I didn’t know.”

I slowly rise to my feet, glancing down at Evi’s still face before gently placing her down on top of the desk. Her arms still wrapped tightly around the diary as she hugs it to her chest.

“What did you do to her, Lucien?” Valentine hisses.

“She’s lost too much blood. I think there’s something wrong with her period … on top of literally everything else you’ve put her through.”

“You can’t blame this all on me,” Valentine scoffs. “Don’t forget, Lucien, you’ve played your part in all this too. Men.”

The guards grab the chains still hanging from my arms and drag me back down to my knees as Valentine leans over Evi’s motionless form. My stomach clenches as he reaches out to takes her by the chin and tries to shake her awake, but her head just lolls to the side.

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