Page 10 of Saving Her Vampire

Stepping inside is like entering another world. Two bars line opposite walls with people lined up to get drinks. There are booths and tables scattered in between. There is a second floor that overlooks the dance floor and tables. It’s very dark, with red accents. A band is playing on the stage, encouraging the massive number of dancers. I don’t know how the supernatural get used to the noise; it’s almost too much for me.

I follow Ava, staying close. My head is pounding along with the music. We climb the stairs at the back of the club, going up to the second floor. We stop outside a closed door, and she knocks.

“Come,” Ryker says.

He’s sitting behind his desk when we enter. “I got your card,” Ava says, waving it.

“Did Serenity have fun?” he asks.

“Of course. She was with me,” she says, grinning.

“How are the mates?” he asks.

“Fine as fuck. River is pissed that he lost to you in the poker game,” she says. She places the card in his open palm.

“The wolf needs to remember I’ve been playing for hundreds of years longer than him,” he says dryly. His eyes sparkle with satisfaction.

“I tried. He can be a baby sometimes,” she says to me.

“Did you enjoy yourself, Marie?” Ryker asks me.

“I did. I feel bad that I used your card,” I say as I twist my hands.

“Don’t. I was happy to contribute,” he says, smiling.

It was so strange to think about six months ago, I had no idea this world existed, and now I’m talking to a vampire as if it’s normal. Ryker is tall, dark, and deadly handsome. I can’t help but stare at him.

“We better go. Marie has a headache.” Ava turns to me.

“Can I ask who did that to your face?” Ryker stands and comes around the desk.

“She works for a private investigator. A cheating spouse, who wasn’t too happy to be exposed, got mad and hit her,” Ava blurts out.

“Ava,” I growl. I knew I should have tried to cover it.

“What? He would have found out. He’s good at finding things out.” She shrugs like it’s no big deal.

“A man did that to you?” Ryker scowls.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s handled,” I say.

“What the fuck?”

I hear someone growl behind me.

We all turn to look in the doorway. River is looking from me to the other man with a shocked expression. Ryker is studying the man. He’s tall, built, beautiful, and staring at me. He has white hair and the lightest blue eyes I have ever seen. There is a white ring around the edge of the blue, causing a shiver of awareness to roll over me. He’s wearing black fitted slacks with a black dress shirt open at the neck, showing the beginning of colorful tattoos. His feet are not in dress shoes, which I would expect with the clothes, but combat boots like mine. He’s an angel. He’s a bad angel.

My body tingles as we all stand as if time has stopped. His hand twitches at his side, as does his jaw. His jaw is at a sharp angle and incredibly tense. This man has a mate. I know enough about vampires, and with seeing Ryker, to know that when a white ring appears in their eyes, they have one. He wouldn’t be staring at me like this if he had one, though. There is an appeal to being mated to a vampire or shifter—they would never cheat. They are dedicated to their mate, and it will cause them pain to touch another.

I know what this means, but my mind is stalling in denial. What would it be like to be his mate? He looks cold and fierce. Behind the blue and white of his eyes, I can see the pain and memories swirling in their depth. He won’t be an easy man.

“Never say never, friend,” River sings. I frown at him in confusion.

“No,” the angel grits out.

“Bash,” Ryker says slowly. He moves closer to Bash and slightly in front of me.

“No,” Bash whispers.