When I was completely covered, I turned around to face them. “Would you like me order you breakfast, or can you do it yourselves this morning?”
Sadie slid to the end of the bed and stood up. “Um... we can do it. But we need to talk about what we’re going to do from tonight. Technically, we’re supposed to be checking out of the hotel this morning, but I’m not sure where we should go. My father’s apartment—my apartment—is a possibility now that we know who broke in and why.” She grinned at me.
I pulled my money clip from inside my jacket pocket. “I’d prefer to stay here.”
There was room service for them and pitch dark for me. Not to mention a massive bathroom and bed.
“I’ll go down and sort out the bill. Assuming you’re all in agreement?”
Rogan whistled. “Whoa, man. How much cash have you got there?”
I shrugged. “One of the advantages of being my age. I care nothing for money but have quite a bit. Are we in agreement? We stay here a little longer?”
I glanced from Sadie’s face, to Rogan’s, to finally Fridge’s.
The dragon shifter’s face was hard but he nodded, as did the others.
“But I can pay,” Sadie said.
I smiled at her. “I’ve got it. See you all in a few hours.”
And I left to pay the bill and find a vampire bar nearby.
Although I had managed to keep my composure, inside I was a mess. A railing, screaming, angry mess.
Why should I feel this way when I’d finally achieved what I’d ached for? A bonding to Sadie, the woman I believed to be my blood mate.
And yet, on my journey to find completion with her, I’d found another, much more complicated path.
A path with Fridge that I’d taken a single step towards, and found paradise, only to be denied moments later.
What the hell was I going to do now?
SADIE.
The atmosphere in the hotel room was tense, and I wasn’t sure how to change it. After Vincent left, Fridge had refused to talk about what had happened, so I decided to indulge in another shower with Rogan while our breakfast was ordered and delivered.
By the time Vincent had returned, we’d showered, dressed and eaten breakfast.
He staggered in, his eyes glazed over from feeding.
I rushed over to him and grabbed his sleeves to steady him. “Vincent, are you okay?”
He nodded and stumbled sideways, falling onto the couch with a chuckle. “I... overindulged.”
Vincent settled onto the couch, threw his head back on the headrest and closed his eyes.
I looked at Rogan, who grimaced. I felt the same way. That wasn’t a good sign. If Vincent and Fridge were at odds, our whole family wouldn’t work.
“Are we going into the workshop today?” Fridge asked suddenly. “I told the guys yesterday to take off until noon, but I need to get in there to open everything up for them.”
“Sure.” I said. “Perhaps we need to speak to them about our plan.” I sat down on the armrest next to where Vincent was sprawled on the couch.
“What plan?” Rogan asked, coming to sit opposite us.
“Going down into the blood ring operations again. This time I think we need a full team and who better to hire than the hunters my father trained and trusted?”
I’d been thinking about it yesterday and as I looked over the men at the funeral, I realized who better to avenge my father’s death, than his own men?
Fridge came over, dragging a chair from the dining table, turning it around and straddling it. “You think that’s a good idea?”
I shrugged. “You guys tell me. You’ve been down there now. You know what we saw. I’m not sure if they would have increased their security since the last time we went down since Vincent got the jump on their guard.” I tapped Vincent, who slowly lifted his head.
“Yes?” he asked.
“Do you think they would have put more guards on the entrance to the blood ring? You know... since their other guy was stabbed.”
Vincent’s usually dark eyes were swirling pools of blue. Strange... I’d never seen a vampire with eyes like that.
“It’s possible. If they believe the blood ring entrance is no longer safe.”
I turned back to Rogan and Fridge. “Then we need to act quickly. It’s only been a few days since we went, so hopefully they haven’t moved anyone, or changed anything yet. Those women need to be rescued. We need to destroy the whole thing.”
Just like my mother had done twenty years ago. Hit the vampires where it hurt...quite literally.
Vincent sighed from beside me and reached for my leg, running his hand along my thigh. “Then you better organize an army, Sadie, and an escape plan for afterwards. It will be quite impossible to stay in the city if anyone learns it was us who attempted to take down the blood ring. Father Bartholomew already has his suspicions.”
“Hmmm,” I bit my lip. My father owned a house outside the city, many hours away. We’d gone there when I was a child, but it had been years since I’d seen it. “I think I know of a place, but first we need to decide who at Hunters would help us. Rogan? Fridge? Who do you trust?”
The two men started listing off names and debating which of my father’s men would be the best to take with us. Who was single and tough, wouldn’t mind going into the hellish underground to take out an enemy.
Fridge turned to me. “You’re gonna have to make it worth their while. Because if we all make it out, and succeed, Vincent’s right.” His mouth twisted as he said Vincent’s name, but he soldiered on. “They’re gonna have to leave the city. At least for a while.”
“So, I have to ask people to abandon their homes? Oh my God.” I sank onto the couch next to Vincent, and he pulled me into his lap.
“It’s possible that we can pull this off without anyone having to change their whole lives... but it will mean killing everyone we see who may identify us later.”
I put my hand to my mouth, my brain exploding with this new knowledge.
Vincent went on, “We’re with you, Sadie. Because you’re right. I cannot ignore what’s going on beneath this city any longer. Something must be done, even if it means a change for us. Hell... I’ll relocate wherever you want us to, as long as there’s a dark room and a vampire bar nearby.”
I bit my lip. I wasn’t sure there was a vampire bar anywhere near our country property but blood... blood I had to give him.
The clock ticked around, showing me it was almost noon. “We better get going to the workshop if you guys are wanting to get in there today.”
I got up and out of Vincent’s lap, a sadness dragging on me. Would I be able to live with myself if someone got hurt? If someone died, because of me?
Rogan got to his feet and grabbed my hand. “Hey. Why the long face?”
“I’m not sure I’ll be able to forgive myself if something happens to one of you. Or any of the guys from Hunters. This is my mission. My... desire to help these women.”
Rogan dragged me to the door. “The men at Hunters risk their lives every day. This won’t be new in that regard. Let’s go see what they say, and while we’re there, you may want to look for that book Shadow was talking about.”