Page 63 of Saving Her Vampire

“Do you trust her?” he asks.

“That has nothing to do with this,” I say, dismissing the question.

“She didn’t mean to hurt you,” Ryker says.

“She didn’t,” I deny.

“Sure.”

“She’s my mate, and it’s my job to protect her,” I say, guilt pulling at me.

“I understand. It’s a challenge to have a mate that is so independent.”

“Marie isn’t like that.”

“Are you sure? You need to open your eyes,” he urges.

“She can be independent all she wants but not at the risk of her safety,” I say stubbornly.

“You love her,” he says.

“No,” I say quickly. “I respect her. I like her.”

“Right,” he drawls.

“Fuck off,” I tell him.

He laughs. “What are you going to do with him?”

“Kill him, I suppose,” I sigh. I hear his whimpers behind me. “He deserves it even though he didn’t give me what I want.”

“So quit playing,” he says. “We can check in with Tristian and Stephan.”

“I like to play,” I protest.

“Do you want to find Brandon or not?”

“Fine,” I concede.

His eyes are red from crying. If I didn’t know what he was capable of, I would feel bad. I’ve been careful not to use my enhanced strength, wanting to prolong his torture, but all bets are off now.

I pick up my hammer and swing at his knee. His screams echo around us. I close my eyes, relishing his pain. Something about it gives me relief. I end it quickly. Ryker steps outside while I do what I do best and get rid of the body. My methods are my secrets and mine alone. I’m valuable to Ryker for just that reason. I honed my skills over the years, one day fearing Ryker could feel like my purpose had run its course.

He changed once he found his mate. He has been my friend, my business partner, and my king. He’s feared by so many, even me. It’s healthy to be wary of a vampire so powerful. He’s turned into so much more to me. He reads me like no other, and he’s right. I hate him when he’s right.

I desire every part of Marie. Her love, her pleasure, her devotion, and her trust. I can’t wait for the day I turn her. I want to be everything to her. I want her to depend on me in every way, so she sees no one but me. Selfish, I suppose, but essential to me.

Seeing those words on her phone shattered the composure I had around her. Deep inside, I know she meant nothing malicious by keeping them from me, but my stupid pride was bruised. The one thing I was able to count on was the ability to keep her safe. Someone got past me, and I can’t allow it.

Brandon was still out there. He hates me enough to mess with her, but I haven’t ruled out that it could be someone else. It pisses me off that I don’t have any answers. She’s making me soft—that pisses me off too. All I think about is her, even when I’m with her. She made me lose my edge. Since she entered my life and turned it upside down, I've neglected my mission. I want to get lost in her and bask in her love.

I grit my teeth, angry with myself. I should have concentrated on my disposal process, not thinking of her. Luckily, I’ve done this enough that I can do it automatically. I clean up and meet Ryker outside in the car.

“All good?” he asks.

“Let’s go,” I say. “Hopefully, they found something from running his credit cards.”

“We’ll find him,” he assures me. “He isn’t smart enough to hide for long.”

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