Page 8 of Luka

“Spencer, Lyle’s nephew.”

Lyle. Lazarus still gritted his teeth at that name. It wasn’t the fact that the human had been in deep debt to him. Lyle had dismissed Lazarus, had thought him some sideshow freak. That was why Lazarus had had him killed.

If Lyle hadn’t been a true piece of garbage, Lazarus would have let the debt go when the human died. But Lazarus wanted everyone related to Lyle to suffer. That was how pissed off he was.

“He has until Friday. If he doesn’t return, I’ll hunt him down myself.”

Jacob bowed and hurried from the room. No fucking backbone. Just a servant who did responded to every single command Lazarus gave.

Lazarus sighed. Then he recalled a conversation he’d overheard. Eleazar, the oldest vampire—not really the oldest, but to the idiots of Ridgeway he was—was looking to replace Nelo.

Maybe that was the challenge Lazarus needed. Hmm. A coven leader. Now that was something he hadn’t tried before. It wasn’t as if he didn’t have any experience. He ruled over his men already, and they blindly did whatever he demanded of them.

Why not just add more followers? That would mean more power, and Lazarus could rise from the shadows to take over Ridgeway. And he would use the human, Spencer, as an example of what would happen if anyone thought to cross him.

Lazarus chuckled. It was the perfect plan.

Chapter Three

When Spencer woke up the next morning, the cabin was silent. He stretched his stiff limbs, feeling the exhaustion of the past few days creeping up on him. He’d barely slept the night before, too hyped up on adrenaline and nerves to really rest. But now, in the quiet calm of the cabin, he felt himself settling into a sense of ease.

He pushed back the covers and padded out of the bedroom, noticing a pot of coffee brewing on the kitchen counter and a note from Luka telling him to help himself to breakfast. Spencer couldn’t help but smile at Luka’s thoughtfulness.

He made himself a cup of coffee and headed out to the porch, taking in the breathtaking view of the forest around him. It had been a long time since he’d been surrounded by nature like this, away from the city and its claustrophobic buildings. The sound of the nearby river soothed him, and he couldn’t help but let out a contented sigh.

As he sat down at the small outdoor table, he heard footsteps behind him and turned to see Luka approaching. The sight of him, clad in just a pair of jeans, was enough to make Spencer’s heart skip a beat and his dick jump for joy at the fantastic view.

“Morning,” Luka said, rubbing a hand over his scruffy jaw.

“Good morning,” Spencer replied, taking a sip of his coffee. “Did you sleep okay?”

Luka grunted. “I’ve slept on worse.”

Spencer chuckled. “I think you said that last night.”

“Did I?” Luka smirked and sat down across from Spencer, his bare chest rippling with muscle. “Well, it’s true.”

Spencer couldn’t help but admire the way the sunlight hit Luka’s features, making him look even more striking than he already was. He cleared his throat, trying to focus on something other than Luka’s physique.

“So, what’s the plan for today?” Spencer asked, hoping to distract himself from the ache in his groin.

Luka shrugged. “I thought we could take a hike, maybe go fishing if you’re up for it.”

Spencer nodded eagerly. He’d never been fishing before, and the idea of spending all day with Luka sounded perfect.

“Great,” Luka said, standing up. “I’ll pack some snacks and grab the gear.”

Spencer watched as Luka walked back into the cabin, his heart pounding in his chest. There was something about Luka that drew him in like a moth to a flame, something he couldn’t quite put his finger on. It had been like that since the first time he’d laid eyes on the guy.

As Luka emerged from the cabin with a backpack slung over his shoulder, Spencer couldn’t help but grin. Last night Luka had looked like a badass biker. Today he was dressed in jeans and a plaid shirt, like he belonged in the woods. He even had two fishing poles in one hand. The guy seemed to look good in anything that he wore.

Which made Spencer jealous, because he himself looked horrible in flannel. He’d tried once, but when Tanner had told him he looked like a deranged stop sign, Spencer hadn’t worn plaid since.

“Let’s head to the river,” Luka said.

Spencer followed him, trying to keep up with Luka’s long strides. He didn’t mind walking behind the guy. It gave him a chance to ogle Luka’s finely shaped ass. What was that cliché? You could bounce a quarter off those delicious globes?

When they reached the river, Luka set down his backpack and began to unravel the fishing rods.

---