Fractured (The Deep in Your Veins Series Book 5)(4)

“Yet, you weren’t prepared to try a relationship until another guy entered the picture. How typical.”

I closed the distance between us. “Typical? Typical would have been for me to try and come between you out of jealousy and because I’m that fucking selfish. Don’t think I didn’t consider it. I did. But I have too much respect for you to fuck with your head like that.”

“This is fucking with my head.”

Because she was too shocked to process it, I realised. I probably should have anticipated that. Forcing myself to take a step back, I said, “If you need some time to wrap your head around everything I’ve said and accept what I want from you, take it. Three nights, baby.” That was the most I could give her. “Three nights. Then I’m coming for you, and we’ll continue this conversation and lay everything out. But don’t make the mistake of thinking those three nights include freedom. You’re mine. That’s the way it is, and that’s the way it’s gonna stay.”





CHAPTER THREE



(Imani)



Meetings always took place in the main building of the gated community. It was a huge mansion that had once been solely Antonio’s home. Although he’d offered it to Sam and Jared when he stepped down from his position, the pair declined. In their minds, it was too much Antonio’s home. They felt it wouldn’t feel right to ask him to move.

As such, Antonio built them a beach house and divided the mansion into two sections. Half was his ‘living quarters’, which he shared with his mate. The other half was work space for Sam and Jared, including an office and several conference rooms. Antonio’s opinion was that their space should be in the centre of the community to place significance on their role and status.

Entering the building, I passed Sam and Jared’s office. Their personal assistant, Fletcher, paused in his typing and peered at me over his spectacles. “You’re a broth of emotions this evening.” Like Sam, the Brit had a strong London accent. He was also an Empath. “Frustrated. Anxious. A little dazed.”

Well, yeah. Feeling exposed, I fought a blush. “Good evening to you too,” I said, pressing the number for the elevator.

“Does this have anything to do with Dean? I hope not. You can do better.”

I’d figured that out when I heard he’d let another vampire drink from him. Biting was very intimate for my kind. His act was a form of cheating. And Dean knew it. “How’s Norm?” I asked, referring to Fletcher’s adorable boyfriend.

“Annoyed and upset that you missed two movie nights in a row. But he’ll forgive you, because he loves you.”

I smiled, stepping into the empty elevator. “See you later.”

The conference room was only half-full when I entered. Noticing that Butch wasn’t yet present, I greeted everyone before taking the seat between Paige and Denny, who had the cutest baby face.

I chatted with the people around me, but my mind was on Butch. I was still having trouble accepting the things he’d said. It all still seemed much too surreal. It had to be the Keja allure messing with his mind and playing his body. Had to be.

‘I had to watch you with that human for seven months. Seven. Long. Fucking. Months. The only thing that stopped me from hurting him was that he made you happy.’

The words had rang with a pain I wouldn’t have expected. A pain that suggested this was about more than just cravings. A pain he hadn’t acted on because he’d wanted me to be happy. But it was also a pain that I’d never once sensed. Wouldn’t I have noticed it if it was truly there?

Maybe. Maybe not. Butch was emotionally stoic and very good at projecting an outward calm. I had the feeling that he hid a lot behind that calm, but I didn’t know him well enough to be sure.

Still, did I want to try a relationship with him? A part of me did—the same part that wanted to believe he wasn’t simply roped in by the Keja allure. It was probably a bad idea, given that he was very distant and detached. But he had a lot of good points; he was loyal, trustworthy, and he always had my back. Even when I’d been with Dean, Butch had never been any less protective or supportive. And if he genuinely had found it hard to watch me with someone else, he’d never taken that pain out on me.

However, I wasn’t at all comfortable with giving him everything that I was. Not at all. There was knowing someone, and there was knowing someone. I didn’t know Butch well enough to put my soul in the palm of his hand like that. I trusted him with my life, but not with everything. I couldn’t give him what he wanted.

Since he wasn’t the type to take no for an answer, I doubted he would accept that. He wouldn’t behave, tip his hat, and walk away if this was truly important to him. And if he did accept that answer and walk away, well I’d know that I still wasn’t enough for him. That thought kind of depressed me.

Paige nudged me. “Cheer up, sunshine.”

I forced a smile. “I’m just tired.”

“Hasn’t the induced sleep completely worn off yet?” asked Alora, her expression thoughtful. “It struck you fast. One second, you were struggling like a wildcat. The next thing, you were limp in Butch’s arms.”

“I tried to take you,” said Paige, “but he wouldn’t have any of it. He said he’d take you home himself.”

Did he now? “He took me to his apartment.”

Alora’s lips pressed together. “You promised yourself you wouldn’t—”

I raised a hand. “Nothing happened.” I didn’t tell them any of the things he’d said because I knew what their advice would be: ‘Stay clear of Butch.’

It wasn’t that my squad didn’t like him. They just didn’t like that he’d let me go. Sweethearts that they were, they wanted me to be with a guy who’d treat me right. As far as they were concerned, Butch had treated me as nothing more than a fuck toy and he didn’t deserve me. I’d insisted that it wasn’t like that, and I’d tried to explain that connecting with others was simply difficult for him. That hadn’t appeased them at all.

They would see me trying a relationship with Butch as a definite route to Heartbreak Avenue. As such, I couldn’t rely on them to give me unbiased advice. I also couldn’t rely on them not to pull Butch’s squad into it. The guys hadn’t been happy with Butch’s behaviour either, since they were protective of me and the girls. They wouldn’t approve of me being with him, and they would be seriously pissed at him for even suggesting that we try a relationship. So, yeah, I was on my own with this one.

A familiar giggle made me look to the door. Ava was skipping inside with her mate, Salem. They were total opposites. The tiny brunette was sweet, bubbly, and high on life. He was a grunting, growling, surly male who didn’t seem to smile for anyone other than Ava. Yet, they suited each other perfectly.

That was what I wanted. A mate who took me as I was. Something deep and real. I wasn’t sure that Butch could truly give me that, no matter what he said.

Ava gave us a cheery smile. “Evening, people.” She took the seat next to Alora. The two females had become quite close, and I suspected it was because they were both often underestimated by people—Ava because she was cute and bubbly; Alora because she had a very hippy-like look and quirky attitude.

Alora’s partner, Evan, was Jared’s twin brother, a commander within the legion, and also Sam and Jared’s appointed Heir. That meant he would replace them when they were ready to step down—probably with Alora at his side, since Evan had no intention of letting her go.

“How are you feeling, Imani?” Ava asked. “It looked like that psychic blow hurt.”

“It did for a few seconds.” Like a hammer hitting my head.

Ava’s sigh was dreamy. “It was so cute the way Butch cradled you against his chest and carried you away.” She slanted an annoyed glance at her mate. “Salem picked me up by the back of my top and dragged me out of there. And they say romance is dead.” Salem just grunted.

“Here comes your saviour now with Chico and Jude,” Cassie whispered, fiddling with her wheat-blonde braid.

I wouldn’t look at him. No. I’d keep my gaze firmly ahead, I’d—

I looked. It wasn’t strictly my fault. Not when he walked with that sexy, purposeful, confident stride that drew attention. And certainly not when he emanated an intense raw masculinity that could raise the hairs on my arms.

Seriously, how was I supposed to ignore that? I couldn’t. Particularly since he stopped at the seat beside mine and just stared at his squad mate. Denny heaved a sigh and stalked off. Butch took the now empty seat without even acknowledging me.

Lips flattening, Jude raised a questioning brow at me. I just shrugged. I liked the Sventé a lot. She was a relatively serene and friendly person…although she’d soon as cut your throat than look at you. Her mate, Chico, was freaked out by her love of knives and Michael Myers vibe, but the Hispanic Pagori adored her anyway.

At that moment, Sam and Jared entered the room. Really, there were no two people better to guard and discipline vampirekind. The British female vamp was a Feeder, which meant she could absorb and manipulate the surrounding energy and shape it into various things like bolts, beams, and balls. Her favourite weapon was her energy whip. Thanks to Antonio having once imparted her with additional power, she also had the ability to merge her body with others. It was a gift she rarely used.