Page 26 of Benicio

If they made it out of this meeting alive. David was not a fan of any of Eleazar’s coven members. Not only did the wolf shifters treat him like crap but so did his own freaking kind. Granted, Rayne’s pack and Eleazar’s coven weren’t as bad as some, but that didn’t erase David’s resentment toward them.

None of them seemed to understand that he was just trying to make a living after his father had tossed him out. David wasn’t doing anything illegal. Maybe immoral, since he did tell other’s business, but definitely not illegal.

His stomach churned as Matteo drove them to Eleazar’s estate. David was in the back seat with Benicio, and he was seconds away from jumping out of the car so he didn’t have to go. But if he did that, Benicio would still pay Eleazar a visit, and David wasn’t leaving his mate to do it alone with only Matteo.

If they managed to make it out of there alive, David wanted to stop and check on his friends. He wasn’t even sure if Deon had made it out of the hospital yet. If Deon hadn’t, David needed to tell James where Deon was.

David truly cared about those two. They’d been the only two people who’d treated him nicely, who didn’t act as if he was scum of the earth and seemed genuinely happy when he visited them.

His thoughts shifted when Matteo finally pulled up to the front entrance. “Are you sure I can’t change your mind?”

Benicio cupped his cheek. “Everything will be fine. I’ve had a lot to think about since we talked earlier.”

David had no idea what that meant, but he was still apprehensive as they walked to the front door.

As soon as it opened, David cursed that it had to be Shayde who answered. He never really got along with the jerk.

“What in the hell are you doing here?” Shayde looked ready to slam the door in his face. Clearly, he hadn’t seen Benicio or Matteo standing behind him.

Benicio stepped forward, easing David behind him. “I am Benicio Moretti. I am here to see Eleazar.”

David wanted to chuckle when Shayde paled. That was exactly what he deserved. Total fear. The asshole.

“Yes, come in.” Shayde stepped aside as all three of them entered. “I’ll show you to Eleazar’s study and get him for you.”

This was the first time David had stepped inside the estate. Swank, but he bet it didn’t have a waterfall.

Eleazar’s study was even nicer, but David just wanted to get out of there. He was anxious, afraid Benicio would have another episode, and then Eleazar would strike, taking down Benicio when he was at his most vulnerable.

Speaking of… Eleazar walked with grace into the office. For a guy built like a linebacker, he was pretty damn light on his feet. It never went unnoticed how commanding his presence was. Confidence seemed to ooze from him.

David had interacted with Eleazar a handful of times over the years, and honestly, he’d been a pretty decent vampire. At least he hadn’t treated David badly.

When Eleazar noticed him, he frowned. “I apologize for my confusion, but why is David here?”

Benicio was just as commanding, the air around him almost bowing to his presence. He stood tall—taller than Eleazar—and scanned the room as if to say he would smite anyone who thought to question him. “David is here because he is my mate.”

Shayde’s jaw dropped. He quickly closed his mouth, gave a respectful nod, and grew quiet. David suppressed a laugh, but secretly wanted to flip them all off. Now who’s scum, asshole?

To Eleazar’s credit, he didn’t react. He simply nodded. David had never had a problem with the coven leader, and it was on the tip of his tongue to ask Benicio not to kill him. But even though he was Benicio’s mate, that wasn’t his place, and to say something right now would be to undermine Benicio.

Something David wasn’t going to do. You have to make him appear strong, unyielding, or this coven will rip him apart.

“We need to speak privately,” Benicio said to Eleazar.

“Wait.” David shook his head, shocked Benicio would kick him out of the meeting. “You can’t leave me alone with his coven. Each one of them has a disdain for me.”

“I don’t,” Stone said from the hallway, a pit bull sitting next to him. David had never liked dogs. Not because he disliked animals, but dogs just didn’t like him. “Come hang with the mates in the kitchen. We could use the company.”

Stone was a wolf shifter. Mated to one of the vampires. The guy was so freaking huge, too. He was a living, breathing mountain.

He looked from Stone to the dog and then back at Stone. “Does it have to come with us?”

Stone frowned. “Who, Loki?”

“Your dog is named after the god of mischief?”

Stone chuckled. “He’s harmless. Come on. We have blood stocked in the kitchen.”

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