Page 106 of B Negative

Thirty-Six

“Are you fucking joking right now?”Julian shot up from his seat at the conference table and paced the length of the room. “The witches are ready to tear your whole ego-tower to rubble, and you want to keep them? It makes no sense. You’re just holding on to things because you can.”

So, yeah, the negotiations weren’t going well.

Sunny and I caught each other’s stare.

“I think a better use of our time would be to discuss how to dissolve the border, not dividing up our assets.” Sunny’s voice rang out above the thick cloud of tension Titus and Julian pumped into the room.

“It doesn’t make a bit of difference what order we do things. It all needs doing,” Julian said with a rumble.

“OK, we’ve been at this since yesterday. Everyone take the rest of the night, and we’ll all come back fresh tomorrow.” I stood and led by example by getting the fuck out of that room.

Julian was right behind me.

“What time tomorrow?” Titus called after me.

“Noon,” I said and blurred out.

The elevator was the first time Julian and I had been alone since he’d found me on the carpet in Titus’s office. He pulled me close, crushing me with a bear hug. “I was so scared,” he whispered into my hair.

“I know. I had a front-row seat to it.”

“Promise you’ll never put yourself in danger like that again.”

I pulled away, quirking an eyebrow at him. “Promise me you won’t flip your shit over a situation I had fully handled?”

Julian’s mouth flattened into a thin line before splitting into a wide smile. “I supposed we could both benefit from listening and trusting each other more.”

I leaned into him once more, breathing in his incredible scent.

When we arrived at the compound, sleep wasn’t on either of our minds.

Showers were, though, and soon enough, we were freshly clean and cuddled in Julian’s bed. “I had the cup shrapnel removed from the mate suite. We can sleep in there sometimes, if you like.”

My heart sank the smallest bit at the mention of those cups. “Do you know that Titus’s vampires are stronger than ours because they have access to willing human donors?”

Julian made long, luxurious circles down my arm and back. “Hmm, I did not.”

“I think it’s important we integrate his system into ours. I wouldn’t have gone all blood crazed if I’d known there was a willing donor.”

“You’re right. I’m open to changing the way we do things here if it’s better for all.”

“What about the witches?” Julian asked. “What’s your opinion on that situation?”

“Well, obviously, we’d need to discuss it with Claudia. In fact…” I tapped my chin as a thought occurred to me. “Why are we negotiating for all these supes when they’re perfectly capable of looking out for their own best interests?”

“This is how it’s always been done. After the incursions, if needed, we divvy up the spoils and responsibilities.”

I hopped out of bed, grabbed my phone, and started texting.

Julian propped himself on his elbow, a smile on his lips. “You’d better cover all that delicious skin up if you know what’s good for you.”

I bit my bottom lip, trying to suppress a giggle. “Just let me get this situated, then I’ll be all yours to do with whatever you please.” I glanced up, expecting a broad smile, but instead, a tiny, adorable pout pulled at his mouth. “What? What is it?”

“This is not what we do.”

“What isn’t what we do?” I asked, completely baffled.

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