Captivated (Deep in Your Veins 6)

Jared snorted.

“She said Castor approached her a few times in the past but never took it this far before,” I informed them. “He has a real problem with the word no. Plus, he just doesn’t seem to think that the rights of a human will ever come before his own.”

Sam’s grin faded. “I had a feeling the first time I met him that he was gonna give us problems. He whined like a brat because he wasn’t allowed to have consorts on the island. He even asked me to lift the ban just for him. I told him to shove his request up his uptight arse, which didn’t go down well.” She puffed out a breath. “I’ll speak with Lexi and make it clear that she needs to report any further incidences.”

“I already did that,” I said.

“Really?” Sam tilted her head, eying me curiously. “Very attentive of you.”

I forced a casual shrug. “I don’t want her thinking that her being human means she doesn’t have rights equal to our kind.”

“Hmm.” Sam crossed her arms over her chest. “You know, I noticed you watching her at Alora and Evan’s Binding ceremony. You have a little thing for Lexi?”

I had a little thing for keeping my private business exactly that—private. “You never used to be so nosy, Coach.”

“Oh, you’re batting away my question with a breezy comment? Interesting. You know, I like Lexi. When humans first arrive here, they’re usually proper Nervous Nellies. They shake and stammer and can’t meet my eyes. Not Lexi. I could tell she was uneasy—and why wouldn’t she be, especially since she’d only minutes ago found out our kind exists?—but she kept her cool. Looked me right in the eye while I spoke to her. And she didn’t ogle Jared, which earned her more points. All in all, I was impressed.”

I wrestled down the urge to ask how Lexi had discovered we existed—there was much I didn’t know about her. And I could tell by the knowing glint in Sam’s eyes that she’d sensed my struggle. My blasé act wasn’t working so well apparently.

“If you’re trying your hand at matchmaking again, you need to stop,” I said.

She blinked. “I matchmake?”

“All the fucking time. Don’t think none of us knows that you’re the one behind David and Denny recently getting together. And Harvey told me you’ve been urging him not to give up on Maisy. Which he hasn’t, and she’s folding under the pressure, if that makes you feel good.”

“It does, thanks.”

I smiled. “You’re shameless, Coach.”

“It’s one of my finer qualities. And I actually wasn’t trying to matchmake in this case purely because Lexi’s human. Realistically, you two can’t have a serious relationship—she ages every night, and you’ll always remain the same. But there’s nothing wrong with having a tumble, is there? I think she’d be up for it.”

“Why is that?”

“Because I also noticed her watching you.”

CHAPTER THREE

(Lexi)

Crossing the bridge that would take me to the club, I looked down at the man-made beach below. All white sand and turquoise water, it was unbelievably inviting. Some people who clearly had a night off work were sprawled on loungers or towels, chatting and laughing or just plain relaxing.

I’d likely do the same when my next night off work came round. Of course, there were other things to do around The Hollow, and I did enjoy going to the movies with Maisy. But I was a water baby, so I’d spent a lot of time on that beach over the past five months—sometimes of an evening, sometimes during the day while the vampires slept. I never lasted long on a lounger, though, as I got restless far too fast. Swimming was more my thing.

I would truly love to use the beach behind the mansion so I could scuba dive in the ocean. But only the important vamps had access to that beach, such as the legion. I’d only stepped foot on it while at special events, during which I’d often waitressed. Many of said events took place on—

“I hope you’re pleased with yourself.”

Gah. I came to an abrupt halt as Dion and one of his buddies, Colm, appeared out of motherfucking nowhere, so apparently one of them could teleport. “I usually am,” was all I said.

Dion’s jaw tightened. “No one has seen Castor since he was frog-marched out of the club. I have been refused access to him, as he is apparently ‘occupied.’ Sam and Jared are not merciful people.”

“Which is why I find it kind of baffling that your friend risked their wrath. Personally, I wouldn’t go there.”

“Castor was in a foul mood and took that out on you. It was wrong, yes, but not deserving of the sort of punishment he will no doubt receive at the hands of the Grand High Pair. Sam herself is particularly bloodthirsty.”

She was, if the rumours were true. I found that kind of delightful, really. “I’m not entirely sure why you’re talking to me about this.”