Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 93727 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 469(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93727 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 469(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Daniel’s brothers and parents were in the kitchen along with Dalton, my dad, and a Vampire I’d never met before.
He was of slight build and wore a pair of wire-rimmed glasses. His hair was neatly combed, and his shoulders and back were straight in a way that screamed military. Even in dark trousers and a deep blue sweater, he still gave the impression that he was wearing a uniform.
“Daniel,” he greeted, barely glancing at me.
“Arthur,” Daniel replied curtly. He carefully lowered me to my feet.
“And your mate,” Arthur said kindly, almost congratulatory.
“Don’t even look at her,” Daniel barked. “She doesn’t exist for you.”
“Arne,” Erik chastised.
“Can you blame him?” Uncle Dalton drawled, leaning against the wall. I let out a breath of relief when everyone’s attention left us. I grabbed Daniel’s hand and gave it a squeeze of reassurance. “Mates are dropping like flies the moment you hear about them.”
“I assure you I have nothing to do with the Vampires and mates that are being targeted,” Arthur replied stiffly. “I am doing the best that I can with the resources available to me.”
The entire room burst into angry chatter.
“Enough,” Erik bellowed, silencing the room. “This will get us nowhere. Chance, Beau, bring Adamson to the back patio. I’ll not have that motherfucker in my house.”
Daniel’s brothers left to get the Vampire while we all shuffled outside to the back patio. I shouldn’t have been impressed by the manicured lawn and perfectly placed trees and shrubs, considering the inside of the house, but I was. The property I’d grown up on was so different from Daniel’s family estate. It would take ten landscapers and a year to make it look anything near what Daniel’s parents had going on. Shit, they’d probably have to bulldoze it all and start from scratch.
I turned to look as Dalton helped my dad navigate down the stairs from the house to the cement patio, and a rock settled in my belly. He couldn’t get out of his chair.
“You need to sit down,” Daniel said, leaning close to my ear.
“I’ll meet him on my feet,” I countered, shifting my weight a little so my good leg took most of it.
“Stubborn.”
“Your family is rich,” I muttered, changing the subject. “I mean, I had an idea when I saw the front, but it was dark. This is… whoa.” I gestured toward the lawn.
“So is your pop,” Daniel replied with a small laugh.
“We’ve never had to worry about money, but this is another level.”
“Does it matter?” he asked curiously.
“Hell no,” I said, leaning against his side. “I’m going to get pedicures once a week.”
“That’s the spirit.” He kissed my jaw just as Beau and Chance half-carried and half-dragged the Vampire we were waiting for into view.
He cursed when he lifted his head and saw the commandant.
“Arthur, arrest them all,” he blustered. “They took Keihley and Morren’s heads. It is a direct attack on the Vampire Federation, article 254, section—”
“Stuff it, Edgar.” Arthur spat.
He literally spat in disgust.
I had to hold back a highly inappropriate giggle.
Edgar Adamson’s face turned red as a beet as Beau and Chance dropped him hard into a lawn chair.
“Start at the beginning,” Erik ordered quietly. “Leave nothing out.”
“I don’t know what they’ve been saying, but—”
“Can I just end this now?” Chance asked, nonchalantly unwrapping a piece of gum. “If he’s not going to tell the truth, I’d rather go back to my room and watch some porn until I pass out.” He lifted his head and glanced around at us. “It’s been a long couple of days.”
Daniel lifted his hand to his mouth, covering it while pretending to scratch his cheek, but I could see the smile he was hiding.
“I have nothing to say, and you cannot hold me,” Adamson said bravely, lifting his chin. “I am a general in the United States Vampire Command. I’m afforded a court-martial judged by my peers.”
“Get a load of this guy,” Chance said with a laugh. He reached out and ruffled Adamson’s hair, making the Vampire practically vibrate with rage.
“You’ll tell us everything,” Uncle Dalton said calmly. “And if you do so, I’ll give you a clean death.”
Adamson huffed.
“If you do not,” Uncle Dalton continued. “I’ll get the information anyway, and it will be far less pleasant for you, but I will have a very good time.”
His tone never changed. His expression never faltered. That’s what made the words so incredibly chilling.
“Arthur,” Adamson said, looking away from my uncle. “I’m afforded—”
“You’re afforded nothing,” the commandant replied flatly. “Vampires who turn on their own are put down like dogs. Stop stalling, Edgar. You’ll give us the information we need whether you tell us willingly or not.”
“It was supposed to be only a few newly mated couples,” Adamson said angrily. “Ten at the most.”
I shuddered at the irritation in his voice. There was no remorse.