“I know. I just want you to know that if we do this, you do it on my terms.”
“Of course. So, do we have a deal?”
“Yes.”
“Unopposed?”
“Mine is the only vote that counts.”
“I see. A sole ruler. Good to know that I won’t have enemies.”
“I never said that,” I say slyly.
“Hm, I see that you will ensure that I don’t. My job is risky enough as it is.”
“Of course. You will be one of mine.”
“One of yours? That doesn’t sound very appealing to me,” he says.
“You will be one of mine so I can protect you. Otherwise it’s up to you.”
There is a pause as he thinks it over. “Do you think I will need protecting?”
“Cade. You are talking about being my security, protecting me against any threats that come to me. That puts you in a dangerous position. I will place you in my protection so I know you will be safe from undue threats from those who know differently.”
“You want me safe?” he asks with a smile in his voice.
“You can’t protect me if you aren’t.”
“I think I will like working for you. You are a straight shooter. And very different from what I thought.”
“I get that a lot. Can you tell me one thing, though?”
“You want to know the Vampire I killed,” he states.
“Yes.”
“His name was James. British, like you. Hated you. I took great delight in killing him.”
“James?” I stammer. “It was James?”
“Yes. You didn’t hold any affection for him, I assume, with the amount of hatred he had for you.”
“I…I killed his sire. He had every right to hate me,” I say sadly. There was no love lost between me and James at the end, but we did once feel something for each other.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED FORTY-SIX
Dublin, Ireland, 1825 – Leah
“Don’t look now but there is a gentleman staring at you from across the tavern,” Devon said to me.
“What does he look like?” I asked, patting my perfectly coiffed black hair vainly.
“Not really your type,” he answered.
I turned then, intrigued, and my green eyes landed on a bright blue pair belonging to a very handsome man with light blond hair. No, not my usual type, but I was in the mood for some fun and I sensed as he got closer that he was also a Vampire.
“May I?” he asked, pointing to the empty seat next to me. I looked at Devon, who shrugged. “I’ll leave you alone,” he whispered to me. I smiled gratefully at him.