Page 54 of Feral

“Vito is the one who showed up at Lair with a gun,” I say. “That one is mine.”

Syn grins at me. “Vengeance looks good on you, brother.”

I wink at him.

“Maybe we’ll get lucky and find the whole crew,” Midnight says. “It’s been a while since we hunted without a client attached.”

“Keep your ears open,” Yves says. “We need to learn who’s in charge of this outfit.”

“And introduce them to who really runs this city,” Damiano says, nuzzling Yves’s cheek. Yves returns his affection with a heated look.

For the first time since I met them, the obvious love between the men and their mates doesn’t leave me longing. My mate is standing next to me, and I’ll never leave him without my protection again. I can’t wait to tell him what we are to each other.

“I’m ready. It’s time the Bianchi family finds out what real power is.”

Chapter 17

Yannis

As we take the elevator down to the garage, Hale rapid-fires everyone’s names at me. I doubt I’ll remember them, but hopefully I’ll be in his life for a long time and can get to know them.

We climb into an SUV with Thorn, Kyson, Syn, and Bowie, driving through town back to the area where Hale found me. The second and third rows of seats face each other like a limousine, which is pretty cool.

Syn is super intense, staring outside with a scowl on his face, but his mate, Bowie, has one of those model faces—perfect features, almost pretty. The only man prettier was the one with the cool name. What was it? Haven, maybe?

“Is anyone else mortal like me?”

Bowie turns to face me. “All of us mates were mortal not that long ago, but we’re not now.”

“I’m the newest,” Kyson says from the front.

The implication hits me like a tidal wave. “You turned because of your relationship?”

Bowie nods, tucking his long hair behind his ears. “Yep. Kind of what happens when you fall for a vampire.”

Hale is staring down at his hands during this conversation, and I’m reminded of how he deflected my question about what happens between a mortal and a vampire in love. I’d become a vampire too. That’s the only thing that makes sense. Otherwise I’d grow old and sick and die, leaving him all alone. Whoa.

Suddenly my head is full of a million questions. Does it hurt? How does it even happen? Would I live with him and his family forever? What about my family? Would I miss eating? Does blood taste good? What are the downsides?

“Yannis.”

Hale’s voice cuts through my chaotic thoughts and I look at him.

“There’s no rush, and it’s something we can talk about. It’s also not required.”

“It’s not? But then…” I shake my head. “I’d leave you someday.”

He nods, but I can see the sadness in his eyes.

“Hey,” Bowie says, patting my thigh. “We’re happy to answer any questions if and when you get to that point. Once a vampire finds his mate?—”

“Bowie,” Hale interrupts him, giving the man a hard look.

Bowie scrunches his nose. “Um, anyway, if you have questions let us know.”

Mate? What does that mean? It sounds like a lot more than just boyfriends.

Hale squeezes my hand. “We can talk more later.”