Page 22 of Bloody Nights (La Vega Vampire Showstoppers 2)

“I agree with you on that matter. Hayley deserves far better than what she’s been given for who she is and what she is.” Sawyer’s voice deepens with his comment.

I side-eye Monroe. What the fuck is Sawyer talking about? He just saidwhatHayley is. The way he says it makes it sound as if she’s not a donor. I don’t get it.

Lawrence clicks his tongue and shakes his head. “My heir, you gave away our little secret. I should kill Mr. Noble because of it.”

Hayley gasps. “Don’t you fucking dare. If you even touch him—”

Lawrence flies at the cell door, unlocks it, and swings it open. He snarls and snaps his fangs, looking as if he’s about to charge Hayley. I jerk my hand out and grab Monroe by the shirt, hoisting him back. He’s about to start a fight, and even though we could win, there are other more powerful vampires in this town. I’ve seen them on the feeds. They won’t let us leave either. We need the entire Bella Crew to take this place down. And if we tried, I don’t know what the leadership would do. They do have some sort of alliance with The Whiskey and Lawrence, and they’d be obligated to do something. The only thing we were supposed to do coming here was to get Hayley and take her back to La Vega. Nothing else. It was in the contract we have with Aris.

Sawyer straightens his shoulders and shoves his palms into Lawrence’s chest, knocking him out of the doorway. Lawrence twists and grabs onto Sawyer, flipping him off his feet. He aims a knife at Sawyer’s heart, his quick movement and strength proof enough that it would take all three of us to destroy the bastard.

“You’re going to have to be tougher than that to best me, Mr. Noble.” Lawrence extends his long fangs, growling deep in his chest, the rumble making Hayley back up out of view.

“Don’t threaten me. I was going easy on you. I will not let you threaten Hayley or try to scare her. Like I’ve said before, she’s mine. You have no claim on her. Now get the fuck back and tell me what you want to sweeten the deal. My patience runs thin.” Sawyer glowers at Lawrence until the vampire backs up and raises his hands in surrender.

Monroe relaxes next to me, but he bounces on his feet in anticipation to charge Lawrence just in case he tries anything.

“I have decided that I will accept your offer if you can prove to me your worth. I think you would make a great headliner of the Fright Fights here. You’ll also be the perfect partner to my beautiful dhampir and help keep her secret during the show. If you agree, I will arrange a shared contract with Aris. She can stay here half a year and in La Vega for half a year. You and your crew will be responsible for not only her travel but also her protection. Without benefits. Hayley will be responsible for satisfying any needs or wants you have. Those are my terms. You must get the leadership to agree.” Lawrence widens his smile with his words, and he straightens his back and peers around the blood room.

Sawyer hops up and dusts off his pants. “Make it three months and spread out through the year so I don’t have to leave my hotel for that long, and you have a deal. I’ll see to it that it gets arranged.”

“Then you must also donate blood to my collection,” Lawrence counters, motioning toward the room. “Agree or no deal. No more discussions. No more bartering. You must have a permanent spot on my show, cater to Hayley, provide blood, and help me take down the La Vega Leadership. If you can do that, Hayley is yours. And you know what that means. It’s not just for a human lifespan. It’s forever.”

I frown at his words. What the actual fuck?

I expect Sawyer to tell him that he needs to discuss it with us, but Sawyer proffers his hand. The two of them shake in silence, and I can’t help the sickening feeling rolling through me. It’s the first time since turning that I actually feel as if I might get sick. What the fuck?

“You have yourself a deal,” Sawyer says, affirming his decision.

“Please call your crew here. I know they linger nearby. I need to make a couple of things clear.” Lawrence swivels on his feet and looks around. “Come out, come out, wherever you are.”

I scowl at the same time Monroe does. Neither of us moves, waiting for Sawyer to give us the sign. Pursing his lips, Sawyer whistles and calls us to him.

With a heavy sigh, I follow Monroe to the center aisle to show ourselves without getting within reach of Lawrence. I hate this. I want nothing to do with this fucking deal Sawyer made without even discussing with me.

But then I see Hayley standing in the cell behind the two of them. Our eyes meet, and I understand exactly why Sawyer agreed to do what Lawrence asked. Because if I were him, I would’ve agreed too. Hayley deserves a better life, and it is our job to provide it to her because she can’t do it for herself.

“Lawrence, these are my crewmembers Knox and Monroe. They are what I consider my seconds in command.” Sawyer slowly nods his head.

Monroe and I both remain silent.

“Then they understand the importance of keeping their mouths shut regarding Hayley and what she is.” Lawrence steps closer, clenching his fingers into fists at his sides. “It’s imperative that nobody knows she’s a dhampir. If I find out either of you shares her secret, I will take your heads. Do you understand?”

A dhampir? The fuck? I’ve never heard that term before.

“They agree. I’ll do it myself if they betray me and our agreement.” Sawyer tips his head, giving us both a look to trust him.

“I understand,” Monroe says first, though his confusion is as clear as mine.

Lawrence looks at me. “I need you to say it as well.”

I flick my gaze to Hayley and Sawyer and finally back to Lawrence. “I understand. I will not share the secret.”

Lawrence smiles. “I’ll have Cooper catch you up on what you need to do to prepare for the show, Mr. Noble. Until then, you may stay in room number five-oh-five with your crew. I apologize for the lack of three beds, but it is important that we have space for our guests. I hope you don’t mind sharing.”

I suppress my smirk.

“That won’t be a problem.” Sawyer steps back and holds his hand out to Hayley, coaxing her to leave the cell to join his side.

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