Bite the Big Heartache (Monstrana Paranormal Romance 2)

“Not so fast.” Leo tapped him on the shoulder and grinned, showing off his dimples. “I may not have seen that one coming, but I always prepare for the worst. And in this case, I’m happy to say that four of a kind beats a flush.”

He splayed his hand out on the table, where four adoring queens stared up at him. It took a whole ten seconds for the ogres to react. Their green skin turned purple as their hands tightened into fists. Earl let out a bellow and threw his chair across the room.

“Better luck next time, boys?” Leo smiled as he raked the cash into a canvas bag he’d pulled from his pocket.

It used to be that he’d host his poker games at the castle in one of the lower rooms. But ever since his brother, Viktor, had inherited the role of the vampire king in the hidden supernatural kingdom of Monstrana three years ago, they’d been expressly forbidden. So what if his poker buddies were a little shady? And so what if more than a few of them had ended in fights that needed to be broken up by palace guards? It kept life exciting.

And goodness knows, a vampire with seven hundred years under his belt needed to keep finding ways to make life exciting. Otherwise, he might find himself one random morning slipping off his magical protective ring and waltzing out into the sun’s deadly rays.

Goodbye dull world.

He owed it to himself to stay active. His brother would appreciate his efforts one day. After all, even Viktor’s lovely wife, Cate, couldn’t seem to keep him from becoming a total bore. It was up to Leo. This family would incinerate without him.

“You cheated, somehow.”

Leo looked up to see Earl pointing one of his stubby little fingers in his direction. He blinked and frowned. Call him any name under the sun, but never call Leo a cheater. It wasn’t in his nature.

“Now, Earl, don’t be a sore loser.” He shouldered the bag that had grown significantly heavier. “You’ll have a chance to win back your money next month. I think I’ll invite the imps to play with us, as well.”

Frustration wrinkled Earl’s brow. His brothers grunted at his side and elbowed him until he got in Leo’s face and snarled. “Give us back our money.”

Leo winced against the acrid scent of blood and putrid flesh coming from the ogre’s mouth. Someone needed to move up their next dentist appointment.

“I’m afraid I can’t do that.” He looked down at the watch on his wrist and inhaled sharply. “Oh, look at the time. The crown werewolf princess of Monstrana is getting married today. They’ll be expecting me back at the castle. Better fly!”

He made it about two steps before a giant hand clasped his shoulder tight and threw him toward the ground. Twisting his body in mid-air, Leo managed to keep his footing. A large green fist flew at the left side of his face. He ducked and rolled, the money bag jingling at his side. A large black boot followed his retreat and landed squarely in his side.

“That’s our father’s money,” Earl grunted. “If you don’t give it back, he’ll come after you.”

Leo coughed and felt his broken ribs. So much for diplomacy. He’d be lucky to get out of there before the ogres killed him. Luckily for him, he really did always prepare for the worst.

“Rodrigo!”

There was the sound of shattering glass and then suddenly the empty building filled with light. The sun’s rays flowed freely through the now broken windows, right onto the ogre’s sensitive flesh.

Earl and his brothers grunted and covered their eyes from the sudden harsh glare. They struck out with their other hands in an attempt to catch him, but ended up entangled in a battle among themselves, slapping, punching, and kicking their fleshy siblings. Leo bit his bottom lip in laughter and quietly ran toward the exit. That should keep them distracted for a while. Ogres were too dumb to catch a vampire.

“Excellent idea, Rod,” Leo said to a black cat sitting outside the abandoned building. It had a white patch on its chest and vivid green eyes.

The cat licked his paw and gave him a careless flick of an ear. “When will you ever learn, sire?”

Leo laughed and plucked the cat from the ground. He’d won the cat-like spirit guide in a poker match five years ago. It was illegal to trade in supernatural creatures, but the black market didn’t care about Monstranian law. He’d freed the poor mangy guy, expecting to never see him again, and instead found a loyal assistant. Rodrigo had gotten him out of his share of tough spots. They were definitely more than even at this point.

“When will you learn how to let loose a little, Rodrigo?” Leo jogged toward the sleek black Buell motorcycle he’d hidden behind a row of overgrown bushes. “You’re getting to be as bad as my brother.”

“I take that as the highest of compliments, sire.” Rodrigo squirmed at his side. “And can’t you invest in something with four wheels for a change? Must I be relegated to forever cleaning bugs out of my fur because of your barbaric choice of travel?”

Leo swung his leg over the bike and chuckled. Rodrigo liked to complain, but he was more than protected sitting behind the prince on the bike. Besides, there was nothing quite as thrillin

g as having the wind blow over your face after a long night’s work.

“What I could use right now is a good draught of Type O blood and a refreshing nap,” he said as the bike started with a pleasing rumble.

“What you could use right now is a shower and a bit of cologne.” Rodrigo wrinkled his cat nose. “You reek of ogres. And I do believe your grandmother has invited five vampiresses to the royal wedding in the hopes of capturing your interest with one of them. She expects you to be there to greet them today and you’re already late. Although, it is my humble opinion that she is wasting her time.”

“Ah, Rodrigo, you know me so well.” Leo grinned and kicked up the bike stand.

He would’ve thought that matching Viktor up with his perfect eternal mate would appease their grandmother for at least a century, but no, she was more determined than ever to see her youngest grandson anchored down by a partner. As if Leo would ever settle down. He liked his freedom. And a woman would only ruin his fun.