Page 40 of Forever Midnight

The two men behind Dimas grin, clearly more than ready to fight us. Yves turns around to face us.

Get Vinni out. We’ll handle the rest.

Yves’s thoughts reach me and I nod just slightly.

Unfortunately for us, Dimas apparently has the ability too, and makes a run for Vinni. Syn and Yves descend on the vampire while the other two rush me, Raphael, and Eros.

Fists fly and bodies wrestle as all hell breaks loose. While fighting off the asshole trying to rip my throat out, I struggle to keep an eye on Vinni. He’s still against the wall, and I swear to Hades, he better not die or Dimas and his crew will not live to see another moon.

The vampire above me slashes his nails across my face, and I hiss in pain before throwing him across the room. Back on my feet, I stalk after him, ready to tear him apart. I lunge at him, tearing at his flesh, and blocking his teeth from my neck. He bites into my forearm, and I bite his bicep, spitting his own blood in his face.

He throws me off him, but I’m right back for more, ready to drive the crowbar by my feet through his heart, but then Dimas lets out a shriek that shakes the stone walls.

All fighting stops and we look at the wall where the gang was, but they’re gone. They got away.

Dimas flings himself out the window before the rest of us can even react, but once we snap out of it, we quickly follow him. Down on the ground, we sniff the air, but as exhaust fumes fill my nose, I turn to see Vinni and crew speeding away. We could catch up with him easily, but I’m just relieved knowing he’s not dead. Not yet, anyway.

Dimas twists to face Yves, his face filled with rage. “You let him escape.”

“You shouldn’t be here,” Yves retorts.

“What does he have that is so important anyway?” Syn demands.

Dimas wipes blood from his lip even as it begins to heal. Injuries from other vampires take longer. “A vast sum of money,” Dimas says. “I supplied him with documents he neglected to pay for.”

“Documents for what?” Eros asks. “Are you part of their trafficking ring?”

“I have no idea what he wants them for, nor do I give a fuck. I’m not part of anything. I provide a service.”

I surge forward, ready to squeeze the vampire’s neck, but Thorn holds me back. Dimas laughs. “Ah, vampires with morals? How quaint.” Dimas steps toward Yves. “The sooner

you realize the mortals are trash, the easier it is to deal with them.”

“You were mortal once,” Raphael says.

“Sadly, yes, but look at me now.”

Yves ignores the comment. “You need to leave, Dimas. If you have business with Malice, you call them to you. Not the other way around.”

“Not very hospitable, Yves-y. Where are your manners?”

“I’m warning you, Dimas.”

He huffs with a pouty look on his face. “Fine. I was wrong coming here without notifying you. I apologize.”

“Thank you, but you still have to go.”

“But I need the money.”

“We’ll get it for you,” I call out. “Vinni owes us stuff too. If we promise, will you let us handle him?”

Dimas gazes at me as if considering my question. “Yves has always been a man of his word. I will leave if you promise to keep me updated if the money isn’t found.”

“It’ll be found,” Yves says, his face stoic.

Dimas nods, motioning to his friends. “Come along then.” He reaches out and touches Yves’s face again, drawing Syn’s protectiveness to the surface, but Yves doesn’t even flinch. “Good to see you.”

“Goodbye, Dimas,” Yves says.

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