Page 10 of Blood Bound (Blood Mafia 3)

Chapter Three

Demi

The wolves are gone by the time Mateo finally stumbles to his feet. Evelyn took my friends inside, leaving Colt and Grayson with me and the wall of vampires.

“You can go,” Colt tells the soldiers.

They flash away without a word.

Mateo brushes his hand over the front of his shirt and he furrows his brow when it comes away slick with blood. Surely he’s not confused.

He cannot be this daft.

“You took the knife out.”

Okay, not what I expected his first words to be.

Wiping his hand on his chest, he prowls toward me. The bond between us pulses and he tugs on it, trying to draw me near. I push against the sensation and use my supe speed to put space between us. He flashes to me, so I move again.

Every time I move, he follows, staying a pace behind me. The next time I move he grins.

“Come on, baby girl. You know what I had to do.”

I stop and spin, surprising him by slamming my fist into his stomach. He reels back and grunts.

“This isn’t funny, Mateo.”

He did what he thought was bestthe rational voice in my head whispers.

Maybe so, but I’m allowed to be upset. I can somewhat understand his actions, but I don’t forgive him. Yet.

Colt appears in front of me and places his hand on his boss’s chest when he moves to step around him. “Don’t, Mateo. Not now.”

Grayson flashes to my side. “Hungry?”

I swing my gaze to him, taking in the shit eating grin he’s wearing.

Mateo growls something at Colt.

“No,” Colt hisses back.

“You know what? Sure, I’m hungry.” I’d do about anything to get away from Mateo right now. He’s going to try and force a reconciliation and I’m not here for his alpha-hole-ness.

Grayson sweeps me up bridal style and flashes away from Mateo and Colt, weaving through the traffic and taking me far away from the other vampires.

“You know I can keep up now, right?”

Grayson’s eyes dance with mirth when he glances at me. “Then I wouldn’t get to carry you.”

I roll my eyes and settle into his arms. Honestly, they’re comforting and I need a bit of tender love and care after this night.

Everything was going so well with Mateo and in a matter of seconds things have gone to shit. Living with him is going to be impossible, but I’ll have to deal with it while the hunters are under his protection. I also don’t feel like leaving Colt and Grayson. Nor do I want to leave while Alissa and Lacey are still missing.

It’s settled then. I’m not leaving. I’ll figure out everything with Mateo once we know our people are safe.

* * *

Mateo

---