Page 86 of The Biting Bargain

Because this is only this one night. But Stellan will make sure it will be devastating to Vincent, either way.

However, my happy place is hijacked — all my stupid heart wants is...

I blink and gasp out loud when suddenly he is standing in front of me. Vincent. My dark prince with cold eyes. His suit hugs him in all the right places, and my heart gives that nasty ache as his gaze meets mine.

"Renard." Stellan beside me beams, and I have to pull myself together not to jump away screaming as the other vampire grabs me by the waist and pulls me closer. "What a pleasure to see you."

Vincent says nothing, doesn't even pay attention to Stellan. He just looks at me with that unreadable expression. And my insides turn hot and cold at once.

For one moment as brief as the flicker of lightning, just the two of us are here. The din of people around us dies away, the crowd disappears. Only he and I face each other, I fall into his gaze, and I swear I can feel my heartbeat in his.

Stellan snickers, kicking me back into the now.

"How do you like my brand new companion, Renard?" he asks, his grip around my waist tightening, and he pulls the leash tight in his other hand, making me gasp. "Not so special, it seems to me. Otherwise you wouldn't have let her off this easily, would you?"

My heartbeat spikes up, my breath catching in my throat as Vincent's eyes narrow.

"I challenge you, DiAngelo."

"Challenge?" Stellan smirks again. "Me? But for what?"

Vincent takes a step forward. The air around us suddenly feels electrically charged. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up at that deep, guttural rumble in the undergrowth that only I can hear.

"She's here against her will and we both know it," he says quietly as the crowd around us chatter and drink champagne. Some cast us curious looks, but as far as I can tell, no one overhears the two vampires' conversation.

"It's okay," I murmur quickly, which Stellan takes as an opportunity to tug on the leash again. Vincent's hands clench into fists.

"I challenge you, DiAngelo," he grits. "We're playing. And she's the bet."

My breath catches in my throat.

Stellan snorts.

"Why should I gamble away my prized possession to you?" he says. "I haven't even tasted her yet."

Vincent moves, standing now so close I could reach out to touch him. He stares at Stellan from eyes as black as obsidian. His face is that of a deadly, nocturnal predator targeting its prey.

"If you lose, your companion is mine," he says coldly.

Stellan smirks. "And if I win?"

"Don't flatter yourself, a little upstart like you doesn't stand a chance," Vincent says through gritted teeth, and Stellan actually flinches a little. "But in that unlikely event, you're welcome to do whatever the hell you want."

Time freezes. The two vampires engage in a silent duel of stares as I look from one to the other, with a helpless sense of dread clenching in my chest like a fist.

"Deal," Stellan beams with a broad smile on his face. Then he calls out, "Mesdames et monsieurs! Please follow me if you want to witness Vincent Renard embarrass himself a second time at the poker table!"

With that, he drags me away.

My helpless glance over my shoulder is caught by Vincent.

He looks after me, motionless, eyes like thunderbolts.

* * *

A murmuringand chattering crowd flocks down to the basement vault alongside us. Because word of the duel between Stellan DiAngelo and Vincent Renard has spread at the speed of light, and if bored vampires love anything, it's a proper gamble.

So, to no one’s surprise the estate also includes an underground casino. However, this time I can't detect any sexual side activities, as Stellan unceremoniously pulls me along and has me almost trip over my heels.

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