Page 52 of Blood Bound (Blood Mafia 3)

“There’s a fire escape leading to the roof. We can take him up there.”

Demi offers to help Alissa carry the body, but the vampire shakes her head.

“I need to finish this myself.”

The hunter dips her head in understanding and follows her out to the balcony and up the stairs.

“Go with them,” I say to Colt.

His presence will be less disturbing to Alissa right now. If I were to go with, I don’t think she’d be able to allow herself to feel what she needs to in order to move past this.

Missy and Sissy are watching me and Grayson with thoughtful looks.

“What?” I ask, not liking their attention. They’re odd, to say the least.

“You’re not like Sisco, are you?”

“I don’t torture my women or family if that’s what you mean.”

Sissy nods. “You’re a better vampire than he was.”

While it’s meant to be a compliment, she really isn’t saying much because Sisco was scum. I should hope I’m better than he was.

“Anthia will be a good leader,” Missy says. “Will you contest her claim?”

Claim the east as mine?

The idea is tempting, but not feasible. My home is in San Francisco and something tells me Demi wouldn’t want to move.

“No, she will rule until The Collective approves or denies her claim.”

Provided there is no stronger vampire to dispute her claim, Anthia will rule the east.

“Good.” Sissy smiles at me and then the women pick up the conversation they were having before the fight broke out and carry on like nothing happened.

I frown and shake my head.

The clock reads nine-thirty. Only an hour or so more before we can fly home.

Checking my phone, I shoot off a message to Zander, seeing if he’s had any luck locating Demi’s parents. I asked him to continue checking while we were gone. There’s no telling when they might pop up on his radar, for whatever reason, so I wanted him on high alert.

A few minutes pass and he doesn’t respond. I begin to tap out another message but the women return. Tucking the phone away, I cross my arms over my chest and lift an eyebrow at Alissa.

She nods. “It’s done.”

“Good.” I glance at Evelyn. She’s still pretending to be hard.

I know her well enough to realize tonight has rattled loose a few carefully buried memories. Her eyes darken when she notices my attention.

“When Anthia returns, we’ll head home.” Crossing my arms over my chest, I press my lips together and wait.

* * *

Demi

I half listen to Mateo and Anthia discussing her transition to leadership. Alissa’s eyes are cloudy and she stares off into space, haunted by something she doesn’t care to share.

I’d never ask her to. When she’s ready, if she ever is, she can tell me. Evelyn’s head rests on her shoulder and their hands are clasped together. Consider it another odd thing to add to the pile of shit that is tonight.

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