Page 56 of Blood Bound

At fifteen minutes to eight, I am walking arm in arm with Amara into a governor’s mansion when my cell phone rings. Like clockwork, my heart jumps into my throat when I see Valentine’s name.

I slip her arm out of mine. “I’ll only be a sec–”

“Gabriel, we have people to see and a part to play. You can take that later,” Amara interjects with a smile on her face and links her arm with mine again. “Eirisse is here; do you want to upset the council?”

I blink at the sudden edge of her tone, wondering what set it off. “No, I suppose you’re right,” I say, and for the first time in four months, I ignore Valentine’s call.

Throughout the evening, I make small talk, meet with Eiresse again and promise business lunches and golf meets with people I wouldn’t even allow my Prospects to feed on. By the end of the evening, I’m cranky and close to ripping heads off.

I need to get the fuck out of here and return Valentine’s call; I’ve wasted enough fucking time here already. Spotting Amara talking to a mayor’s wife, I gently touch her forearm when I approach her and she looks up at me while offering her best fake smile.

“Honey,” she purrs, lacing her fingers with mine, and I cringe internally.

“It’s time we take our leave,” I say and nod towards the woman in front of me before pulling her away. “Get your coat, I’ve had enough of this fucking evening.”

She blanches at my tone and keeps her head lowered as I lead her towards the front of the hall. Her earlier outburst and forcing me to ignore Valentine’s call have pissed me off completely and made me wonder what the fuck her deal is.

She’s not happy with me right now, but fuck that; I have a Fated to find.

“Gabriel, slow down,” she complains as I gently pull her towards our limo, but I ignore her protests and keep on walking. “Please, slow down!”

I stop and turn to face her with my eyes shimmering crimson. “Do not fucking test me right now, Amara,” I growl, watching how her eyes widen at my anger. But there’s something beneath the fear in her eyes and I fucking know lust when I see it.

Nodding and bowing her head once more, we walk towards the waiting limo. I open the door for her and she reluctantly gets in while I follow.

It’s a twenty-minute drive to the estate, so I take this time to return Valentine’s calls - all fourteen of them.

“It’s about fucking time!” he answers, clearly pissed off. We’ve smoothed things over and now he simply wants to find Katherine, for both our sakes.

“I was tied up in something I couldn’t shake. What’s the problem? Is something wrong?”

He sighs and says the words I’ve been waiting to hear for four months. “I found her, Gabe.”

The last time I felt this hopeful was when my father told me I’d made him proud; pure fucking happiness radiates right from my chest down to my feet, knowing that Katherine has finally been found.

“Are you sure? Has she seen you?” I ask, trying to keep my voice level, but with the way Amara is staring at me, I think I’ve just given it away.

“I’m positive; staring at her as we speak and sending a picture for confirmation. I haven’t made myself known to her yet. Do you want me to?”

“No, it might just scare her away. Text me the details and I’ll sort it out,” I say, my eyes locking with a confused Amara. “Thank you, Valentine.”

There’s a relieved sigh on his side. “It’s the least I could do. See you soon,” he says before killing the call.

I lean my head back and exhale a pent-up sigh. All this time I’ve been waiting for this exact call, and nothing could have prepared me for how I would feel. I’ll have my little lamb in my arms soon and I plan to make her mine this time.

My cell phone vibrates to indicate a text and when I open it, I see Valentine has sent a location, along with a promised picture. But what I see doesn’t make me happy, instead, it’s like a stab right to my heart.

She looks miserable. Her eyes, which used to shine with such fierce purpose, have now been dulled; there’s no curve to her body anymore. She’s pale… What the fuck have I done to her?

The opening of the limo door snaps my attention away from my cell phone, and I see Amara storming off into the mansion. I sigh and put it back in the pocket of my pants before following her out.

What has gotten into her tonight? Usually, she’s quiet and does as she’s told, but she seems to be acting out for some other reason.

“Amara,” I call when I walk into our bedroom and watch as she strips off her dress, but she doesn’t look at me, so I repeat her name more forcefully. “Amara.”

She sighs and finally turns around to face me with an odd look. “Yes, Gabriel?”

“What the fuck is up with you tonight?” I ask, walking towards her.

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