Page 9 of Bloody Nights (La Vega Vampire Showstoppers 2)

“What about you? Is this so I blend in because you’re going to walk around butt-ass naked as a distraction?” I twirl my finger and motion to his dick. “You know, that shrinkage isn’t doing you any favors.” It’s a flat-out lie, but I won’t admit to him that he’s bigger than many in La Vega too. Not average.

He chuckles. “It does plenty. I don’t want the attention anyway. It’s already hard enough for me not to react to you checking me out. I’m getting tired of thinking about Bad Brad in a thong. It’s a real boner killer, but I don’t want to frighten you when you see just how much of a grower I can be.”

Heat flushes my face, and I break his stare, closing my eyes. I wish I could disappear as I gather my shit together. I’m not used to someone’s honesty like this. He talks to me as if he knows me. As if we’re longtime friends.

“No amount of dick scares me. I grew up in La Vega. It was my job to entertain all the asshole guests of Alexander.” I don’t know why I say it, but it’s as if I don’t want him to think I’m some naïve, scared little donor. “Like you, I’ve seen a lot.”

“Yet here you are, blushing and acting like a cute little virgin.” Cooper’s soft voice whispers against my earlobe. “But I’m glad you’re not. I worry about what Lawrence has in store for you. The coven heads around here love the new and shiny. I just hope Lawrence doesn’t treat you as such. How do you think so many of us vampires ended up as part of the herd? We stood up against them and their brutality.”

I open my eyes and glance at him. Cooper stands a few feet away, now dressed in a pair of slacks and a button-down shirt that matches the blue of my dress.

“You stood against the other vampires?” I can’t stop my mouth from voicing my question. It’s the same as what the Bella Crew tries to do in La Vega, protecting donors.

Cooper shrugs his shoulders. “We’re not all monsters. At least, I used to not be one.”

“You do what you have to,” I say, thinking about Sawyer, Monroe, and Knox and everything they do in the name of donors.

“That’s right, my showgirl. Now let’s get you something to eat and get our spots for the show. How does that sound?” Cooper opens his arms to me. It’s as if he doesn’t want to keep this particular conversation going, and I can’t blame him.

“That’s fine. Can we just walk? I want to see more of The Whiskey.” I rub my lips together and bounce on the balls of my bare feet, wishing he would’ve gotten me shoes.

“Sorry, Hayley. I can’t allow that. It’s far too dangerous around here. Hop up.” Cooper wiggles his fingers.

I fold my arms over my chest in silent protest.

Flashing his fangs with a smile, Cooper launches for me, not giving me a choice. “Careful, my showgirl. I like it when you push back. It makes things more fun.”

“You’re an ass.” I don’t know what else to say.

“Could be worse.” Cooper spins around, blurring the world.

He’s right. He could be much, much worse.

Chapter 4

HAYLEY

Punishment

MUSIC HUMS THROUGH the air, the intense beat sinking into my bones, entrancing me in a way that makes me sway my body. I forgot how addictive music could be, especially the quick beats of a song made seemingly for the soul.

Cooper sets me on my feet outside of a grand entrance to an auditorium with a brightly lit fighting ring in the center. The stadium seating climbs up to a second balcony, where it looks as if the cheap seats are located. If this were La Vega, that is where the Strip dwellers would sit. It’s far away and hard to see the stage from there, but at least they still get to see the show.

“I’m sure you know the donor rules. They are the same here as they are in La Vega for the most part, except if a vampire catches you breaking them, they can punish you regardless of who you belong to. So, keep your eyes down, don’t look at anyone apart from me and the performance, and stop looking so irresistible. You’re going to make everyone extra bitey around here.” Cooper takes my hand and pulls me in close until he drapes his arm over my shoulders. Leaning in, he adds, “Especially me. My hunger still hasn’t subsided.”

I peek at him in my peripheral vision, watching his eyes flash silver. At least they’re not solid silver. If they start flickering too quickly where they look as if they’re pure in color, then I know I’m in trouble. “Well, you haven’t exactly had any blood. Does Lawrence starve you all the time?”

Cooper guides me toward a floor-lit aisle, leading closer to the ring. “Lawrence is not starving me. I have a blood source with me now, but I don’t think she wants that kind of relationship. It’s up to me to convince my blood source to feed me. Lawrence wants me just to take whatever I want, which I feel is inappropriate now that I’m of sound mind.”

I shift my gaze from the ring and look at him. He’s talking about me even though it sounds as if he speaks about someone else. A wave of confusion washes over me. I mean, what the fuck?

“I’m your blood source? Why didn’t you tell me? You could’ve said something. I don’t want you to get all volatile and psychotic again. You fucking hurt me last time. That’s why I said you better not bite me.” I tighten my jaw with my annoyance. “Giving you blood isn’t a big deal.”

He remains expressionless and takes me by the elbow, ushering me to a side aisle without a direct front view of the ring. We’ll see everything from the corner instead of head-on. “It obviously is a big deal to you. I don’t want to push you. I know this is all fucked up, and you don’t want to be here just as badly as I don’t. I just...I understand I must gain your trust to be able to ask for blood. Unfortunately, I suck at the whole teacher, trainer, caretaker aspect.”

“That’s because you’re a prisoner. Usually, vampires in that sort of position aren’t...” I let my voice trail off. The last thing I need is to give him any ideas about how to manipulate me into compliance.

“Nice? Sexy? Super easy-going and fun? A rule breaker?” Cooper taps his palm with his finger, saying everything that is definitely not on my mind. Well, until now.

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