Page 110 of Blood Bound (Blood Mafia 3)

“They’re okay. Colt and Grayson are helping Evelyn with something and Zander took X home.”

She swallows. “Okay.”

Pressing the button to the top floor, I lean against the wall opposite of her and hold her gaze. She’s thinking too much.

The door opens to my apartment and I head to the kitchen, pouring a glass of wine for both of us. She sits on the counter with a sigh. Walking to her, I hold my hand out and she takes the glass from me.

“Thanks.”

I sip the bitter liquid. “You should have let me die.”

Her face contorts and pinches in annoyance. “You wanted to die?”

Shaking my head, I set the glass aside. It tastes better with blood in it. “No, but I’ve lived a long time.”

She takes a drink. “You’re mad at me.”

“No.”

I’m not mad at her. I’m mad at myself. I don’t deserve to be saved. I am not worth the price she paid.

Setting her wine on the counter, she hops off the ledge and walks over to me. “Then why are you upset? I feel it through the bond.”

“You gave too much.”

Because of me, she’ll lose a child.

She sucks in a breath. “What was I supposed to do, Mateo? You were dying.”

“Colt and Grayson would have taken care of you, baby girl.”

Her eyes light with fire. “I won’t apologize for saving you.”

She’s completely misunderstanding me. I place my hands on her lower back and pull her against me. “I’m not asking you to.”

Wrinkling her brow, she tips her head to the side. “I don’t understand you sometimes.”

“I am not sure how to apologize for what you’ve lost.”

Her eyes cloud with confusion, then clear when she finally understands. “Imade the deal, Mateo. You don’t have to apologize.” A single tear slides down her cheek.

I brush it away. “Even still, I’m sorry.”

Balling her hand into a fist, she lightly bangs it against my chest. Then she hits me harder. “You were dying,” she mutters.

“I’m not anymore.” I drop my forehead to hers.

“Mateo, I—” she stutters over the word, “I’m the one who needs to apologize. I’ve been such an asshole to you.”

I shrug. “You had your reasons.”

She shakes her head. “I did, but I may have overreacted.”

Pulling back, I give her an incredulous look. “You? Never.”

Her mouth pops open in surprise and she narrows her eyes. “You’re an asshole.”

“You love it.”

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