Page 70 of Blood Owed (Blood Mafia 1)
I involuntarily respond to the command Mateo gives. My feet move of their own accord, trying to walk away, but he holds me back.
“Not you, Demi.”
Colt and Grayson stand, making no moves to leave.
Bless their hearts, they don’t want to leave me with Mateo. This makes me like them a little more than I care to admit, almost as though the three of us have bonded in a uniquesorry I kidnapped you but now that you’re here by your own choice, I’m going to try to keep you out of the boss’s clutchessort of way.
Mateo hisses and his mouth leaves my neck. I see a flash of fang from my peripheral and another wave of heady supe power crashes into me and rattles my bones. I grit my teeth and try to keep my breathing even.
Colt and Grayson stare at Mateo for a few seconds.
“Do not make me repeat myself,” Mateo says in a deadly voice.
The two vampires I considered friends—in the loosest use of the term—leave the room. Grayson brushes his shoulder into Mateo’s on the way out, causing a terrifying snarl to leave the large vampire’s lips.
Grayson narrows his eyes. “Don’t hurt her.”
Mateo hauls me further into the living room. “Or what, Gray?”
Colt grabs his arm before he can respond to the taunt. Grayson’s worried gaze finds mine before he concedes and lets Colt drag him toward the elevator.
Mateo keeps me pinned against his body while they wait for the elevator. When the doors close and the engines kick on, the vampire hits a switch on the wall. I hear a small click, what I assume is some sort of door locking mechanism, and swallow.
Great, I’m locked in the viper’s nest.
“I’m going to let you go, Demi. Don’t do anything stupid.”
I don’t respond because I can’t promise I won’t do something insane. My fight or flight reflex is firmly set on kickass.
He eases his grip and pulls away.
I sway on my feet, momentarily off balance. Recovering, I shake my head and walk to the other side of the room. Then I turn to face him.
Mateo stares at me, mirth dancing in those dark eyes. “Nice to meet you, Demetria.”
Chapter Nineteen
Demi
Mateo’s eyes scream death and destruction. Pair that with the small crease on his forehead and slight tilt of his lips, and he’s by far the scariest supe I’ve come across.
I take back everything I ever said about him being a coward. I’ve never been so wrong in my entire life.
My heart nearly stops beating when he takes a small step forward.
I take an equal one back. “Stop.”
He does, which surprises me, and tilts his head. “Why?”
Because I don’t want him to come closer. I don’t want to feel his overwhelming presence so close to mine. I can’t handle another touch from him. I’ll lose all sense and attack him, and not with a knife.
I will not throw myself at the vampire I’m meant to hate, especially when he looks so damn satisfied with himself. Him staying where he is, is going to be the only way I keep a sliver of control.
He squints as I slowly lower my eyes and take in all of him. He is. . . exquisite. His light gray suit is fitted, Gucci or something equally as pricey, and does nothing to hide his bulk. The light blue shirt under his jacket stretches over his hard muscles. His brown hair is cut short, a bit longer on top, but short all the same.
“Demetria.”
My name rolls off his tongue and does sinful things to my insides. I stop my inspection and meet his eyes. “What do you want from me?”
