Page 30 of Blood Moon

“I went to the bathroom and hid, trying to talk myself into going to see Uncle Vinny. I didn’t want to see my uncle that way. I hate hospitals.” I turned to walk away, but he stopped me again.

This time he pulled me close and wrapped his arms around me. “Viktor, let go. People are staring.” I tried to wiggle free but only managed to rub myself against his growing erection.

“Let them watch. Or are you afraid your boyfriend will see us together?” My glance shot up to meet his and I knew that somehow he’d discovered that I’d met up with Eli. A split second decision had me lying to cover it up.

“I don’t have a boyfriend and I’m not worried about anything. You’re the one who keeps pushing me away.” I turned my head as if I wasn’t interested in looking at him anymore.

His arms went slack for a moment, then pulled me against him harder. I turned back to speak, and his lips were on mine. Instinctively, my arms wound themselves around his neck and I deepened the kiss. There was no way I would be able to say no to either of these two men. But how could I have both? It seemed odd to me that I was fantasizing about a threesome while Viktor was kissing me, but hey, he couldn’t read my mind, right?

Hot passion enveloped me as his tongue tangled with mine. It was as if he wanted to claim me, to mark me as his, using only his mouth.

Suddenly he pulled away from me and started walking toward the exit. I was breathless and in shock. What the hell? Suddenly he’s acting like he didn’t just make out with me in the lobby of the hospital. I jogged to catch up to him.

“Oh, good. You’ve decided to come with me. We have lots to do today.” He opened the passenger door for me while he spoke. I slipped into the seat and had the seatbelt fastened before he climbed in.

“What was that about?” I asked as he started the car and raced out of the parking lot.

“Just staking my claim. Do you have a problem with it?” He glanced at me sideways as he sped through the streets.

“I—I’m not sure what to say. You want to be with me? Or you don’t want anyone else to have me?” I waited a moment for an answer but he didn’t even acknowledge my questions. “Where are we going?” I figured changing the subject would be better than having this particular conversation.

“We’re meeting the contractor at Midnight to begin the repairs. After that, I’m taking you home and going to have a meeting with the man responsible for all of this.” His tone gave nothing away. It was obvious he wanted to kill Eli, and while I was angry about the bar being destroyed, there was no reason to continue the cycle of violence.

“Do you have to meet with him?” I tried to make myself sound scared, and it worked, probably because I was terrified. What if Eli told him about our kiss?

“You seem upset, Myshka. Is everything OK?” Viktor’s smirk told me that he would push me to see if I would tell him. Well, he didn’t know just how stubborn I was.

“I just don’t like the idea of you going to meet with him. Look what he did to the bar; to Uncle Vinny. What would I do if he did that to you?” I didn’t have to will the tears to well up in my eyes. At that moment I realized that I wasn’t just worried about Viktor, though. I would be equally upset if Viktor did something to Eli. I was terrified that they would hurt each other.

“He’s not going to hurt me. Trust me.” The confidence in his voice was borderline arrogance.

“How can you be so sure?” I knew the moment the words were out that I shouldn’t have said it.

The car stopped abruptly, and Viktor leaned over, putting his face inches from mine. “Because I have what he wants, and he’ll never get it if he tries to harm me.”

Terror spread across my face. I hadn’t considered that Viktor would try to use me as an object to negotiate with. Then it hit me. I have no idea how these vampires view humans. Was I just a meal? A plaything? Would he trade me away if it meant Eli would leave him alone?

I couldn’t stop the tears from falling at the realization that perhaps neither of them cared about me the way I thought. I unfastened my seatbelt and dove out of the car before Viktor could grab me. At least I knew this part of the city and had friends nearby.

Chapter 30

Viktor

I knew that baiting Delilah was a bad idea, but I couldn’t help myself. I wanted to know if Strain had charmed her. From the changes in her heartbeat, it seemed she was hiding something from me. That meant that she knew exactly what transpired at their meeting.

Her reaction at my meeting with him surprised me, though. It seemed as if she genuinely cared about me, and perhaps him. This could be a problem.

Why did Delilah dive from the car and run off? I hadn’t anticipated her jumping out of a moving vehicle to get away from me. I wondered if that meant she had lost interest. Wouldn’t I have sensed that? She must have felt overwhelmed.

Now I would have to postpone my meetings and hunt her down. Or maybe I would keep my meetings and let her calm down. Perhaps making her wonder for a while would be good for her. And some space would be good for me.

I dialed my phone and Jones answered.

“Sir? Is everything okay?” He knew that I wouldn’t call unless there was an issue. I would usually wait for him to check in.

“There is a small issue. Delilah has run off down Third Street. I’m certain she has friends in the city, though I don’t know who. I need you to find her and make sure Strain’s men don’t get to her until I’m done with my business for the day. Report her location to me and I’ll pick her up later.”

“Got it.” Jones hung up without waiting for more information. He was good at his job and knew he would be compensated for his time.