Page 90 of Blood Bound (Blood Mafia 3)

I roll my eyes. “Sure, pal, listen, I can love as many men as I want and you can’t do a thing about it. There’s nothing wrong with it.”

He grows serious, dropping the smile and nodding his head. “I was only teasing, Demetria. Of course there’s nothing wrong with how you want to live your life. So long as none of these blood suckers kill you again, I’m happy for you.”

Alissa lets out a soft breath from the kitchen. My parents can’t hear it, but I know she’s surprised by his vehement desire to protect me.

“Come on, I want you to meet Alissa.”

Walking into the kitchen, I shoot her a reassuring grin and point to my parents. “Alissa, Irene and Robert. Irene and Robert, Alissa.”

Mom narrows her eyes when I call her Irene. Her manners get the better of her though because instead of reprimanding me, she walks around the island and hugs Alissa.

No junk punching involved.

“It’s so good to meet you. Demi’s said a lot of nice things about you.”

Dad sticks his hand out for Alissa to shake once Mom releases her. He opts for a less intrusive greeting and Alissa’s shoulders sag in relief.

Instant rejection is what she expected.

She had no idea Clan Barrera is loving beyond normal expectations.

Lunch arrives a little while later, relieving her of having to answer all of my parents’ probing questions. While we’re busy eating, she nurses a blood-water, trying to take discrete drinks here and there.

Dad finally gets annoyed and sets his meatball sandwich down, giving her his stern look—the one where he pulls his eyebrows together and frowns. “Drink the damn blood-water, Alissa. We’re not going to freak out.”

“Okay,” she says, popping the lid off and taking a big swig. She stares him down the entire time, testing his promise.

When he doesn’t look away or blanch, she stops drinking and sets the bottle down on the counter.

“Forgive me, I’m not used to humans being so understanding. Most either want my blood, want me to bite them, or run screaming. Given those options, there’s not a whole lot of day-to-day interaction. I’m not sure how to handle myself.”

Mom pats her hand and wipes her mouth with her napkin. “You don’t need to be anyone else when you’re with us. I only ask that you don’t kill my daughter.”

“No problem there. She can kick my ass.”

Dad releases a proud laugh. “Can she now? I’d like to see that.”

“No,” I say when Mom claps.

Glancing at the clock behind me, Alissa smirks. “But Demi, it’s only one in the afternoon. There’s plenty of time for a sparring match.”

I narrow my eyes at her. “I know what you’re doing.”

“Oh yeah?” She takes a drink of her blood-water.

“Stop yammering and finish eating, I want to see you in action.” Dad takes a gigantic bite of his sandwich, making me shake my head.

“Didn’t Grandma teach you any manners?” I ask with a huff. Then I finish my lunch as quickly as possible because they won’t stop talking about the fight.

The sooner we get it over with, the sooner they’ll be quiet.

* * *

“I hate you for this.”

Alissa and I bump fists.

“No you don’t,” she says with a wink. “Besides, look at how happy they are.”

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