Page 50 of Bloody Nights (La Vega Vampire Showstoppers 2)

Cooper stops short, his whole body tensing.

Oh fuck.

Another vampire rushes us and rips me away.

Chapter 16

HAYLEY

Coveted

“BEAUTIFUL VIOLET. DON’T fight me. I won’t hurt you.” The strangely familiar voice hums in my ear. “I’m a friend.”

My body cools as my mind registers that he’s one of the vampires who drank from me at the afterparty. “Let me go.”

Shockingly, the vampire releases me, but he spins me away from Cooper, not allowing him to get close. Holding out a knife, he keeps Cooper back. I nearly shout for him to run for help, but another vampire...no, a human man, exits the room beside mine and trains his gun at Cooper.

“No need for aggressive tactics, my pet,” the vampire says, motioning to the human. “Mr. Saint won’t try anything because he’s going to want to hear me out.”

Cooper hesitates, his gaze darting from mine and to the man. “If you so much as hurt her, Mr. Falo, it’ll be the end for you.”

Mr. Falo? That’s the hotel across the way. I saw it when we entered the gates to the town. He must be the owner or ruling coven there. I know Lawrence is the true authority, though.

“Do you really think I want to hurt someone as coveted as she is? She is worth quite a bit, according to my sources. It also seems her true master wants her back badly enough to negotiate a deal. I need your help, Mr. Saint. It seems she trusts you.” Mr. Falo doesn’t look at me as he says the words. “I would like to release your blood sister from a contract in return for you assisting me in returning this lovely specimen to La Vega.”

The look that crosses Cooper’s face speaks volumes. I knew he wanted to get his sister back. I knew he joined the Bella Crew because Sawyer said they would help him. But that’s no guarantee. What this guy offers? It is a guarantee if Cooper hears him out.

Oh-fucking-no.

Cooper owes me nothing. I could just be a means to an end to him, considering that he agreed to train me to get out of the herd.

I push the thought away. I can’t think like that. It’s just so hard for me to trust anyone, and he doesn’t have the same life as Sawyer, Knox, and Monroe do. He could be attracted to me, but that could be it. He must think of himself first, and in all honesty, I wouldn’t blame him. I know what it’s like to be enslaved to a vampire. I know what it’s like to have to do things you don’t want to do.

If only neither of us was put into this position.

“Why should I trust you?” Cooper steps closer, peering at me from around the vampire. He assesses whether he could reach me if he tries. “Right now, I have a pretty good deal going on.”

“You need higher standards, Mr. Saint. Your current living situation is far from acceptable. If you agree to help me, I’ll give you a position among my coven. I’m going to need someone to overlook the hotel here when I claim one in La Vega. Perhaps you can visit this lovely woman on occasion. Mr. Aris has agreed that if we go through with this that we may have time with her.”

My heart sinks in my stomach. What the actual fuck? Not only do I have to worry about Lawrence and Alexander now, but I also have to worry about this guy. I knew Lawrence was a fool for sharing my secret. I can’t imagine someone not wanting the opportunity to claim me, considering I’m basically a damn forever donor.

“You’ll bring me onto your coven?” Cooper’s expression softens with his husky voice. “Why? I’m not powerful. The vampire who transformed me was a mere outcasted shadow dweller.”

“That means nothing to me. A coven comes together to create power, not be pieced apart. I’m sure you can prove your worth. I’ve seen you fight. I think your abilities are rather appealing when it comes to getting shit done.” The man looks at me. “You’ll also prove useful with your knowledge. Lawrence was quite impressed with you. If he is impressed, then I’m sold.”

I don’t like the way they both look at me. Even the human guy standing in silence blocking the hallway stares at me. I need to run. I need to get out of here. If I stay, I don’t know what Cooper will do or if he will agree. We had a plan.

“I need you to prove something to me first. You’re asking quite a bit for me, so I need you to do something. I need you to get rid of a body.” Cooper motions to the door of my hotel room. “If you can do that, then we’ll talk.”

“Cooper.” I cover my mouth with my hand, wishing I didn’t speak.

Cooper’s mouth twitches as his fangs peek from beneath his lip. “Is it a deal? We’ll have to discuss things in detail later when the sun rises. This donor is protected by the Bella Crew. They also have a deal with Lawrence.”

“I think that’ll be acceptable. Just know if you speak even a syllable of this conversation to anyone, your sister is dead.” The vampire smiles, stretches his hand out, and pats my cheek. “Be a good girl and mind your mouth. If you speak, I will remove your tongue.”

I don’t even get a chance to say anything before the vampire enters my room, grabs the body of Killer, and vanishes with his human associate.

I heave a couple of breaths and dig my nails into the palms of my hands.

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