“Next time,” Katrina replied with a half grin. “Seemed you all had it under control.”
Viktor cocked his eyebrow and looked at Lacey, who he knew was staring at him. “Are you okay?”
Lacey only nodded as her eyes searched his face. “Are you?”
Before he could answer, Blaze walked over with a frown dipping his brows. “You’re damn lucky, man.”
Male pride reared its ugly head at Blaze’s words. “I appreciate your help, but I wasn’t going to go down.”
“That’s not what I’m talking about.” Blaze frowned and nodded toward the SUV. “Did you see your bike or what’s left of it? Vampire or not, I don’t think you’d have healed from that one. I mean, Slade is one hell of a doctor, but I seriously doubt he could have put you back together again.”
Lacey passed him, but he reached out to stop her, just not in time. “Oh my God.” She gasped, her uninjured hand flying to her mouth.
Viktor had already seen his bike and Blaze was right. Had he not realized what was about to go down and stayed on his bike, his lower half would have been crushed beyond anything his immortal body could repair.
“Who are—” Lacey turned to look at the vampires scattered on the street then to Viktor. “—were they?”
“That’s the million-dollar question.” Steve walked up and then whistled loudly as he stared at what used to be Viktor’s bike crushed between the car and SUV. “Hope you had insurance, dude.”
Viktor ignored Steve, his focus still on Lacey, who swallowed visibly as her eyes welled up with tears. Suddenly everything hit him at once. This wasn’t the life for her. He had been selfish thinking... what? What in the fuck had he actually been thinking? Taking her for his mate once he made peace with his past? Had he lost his fucking mind? Obviously, yes, he had lost his fucking mind.
Pulling his gaze from her, he frowned. “Where’s Slade?” His voice was harsh as he glared at Steve, but he didn’t care. Once Slade took care of her wrist, he needed to let her go. Even the thought angered him to the point he wanted to roar, but the chaos around them was the reason he needed to do the right thing by her. He was not the right thing, and he knew it.
“He’s coming.” Jill walked up hearing Viktor. “I’d say we kicked some major ass.”
Viktor nodded and glanced at Jill’s bloody face from the accident as well as the battle they’d just fought. His gaze returned to Lacey, who was still staring at him and he saw the questions in her eyes. But Viktor truly had no answers for her. This was his life. Every day something dangerous. The VC had many enemies. By being anywhere around her, Viktor was making her a target.
“Where are you hurt?” Slade’s voice broke into his thoughts.
“Well, I have a little cut here, and my shoulder feels sore,” Steve answered, rolling his shoulder.
“I’m not talking to you.” Slade’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t look Steve’s way.
“I’ll heal,” Jill replied, then nodded toward Lacey. “She’s the one who needs to be looked at.”
Lacey finally broke eye contact with Viktor. “No.” Lacey’s voice cracked, but she cleared her throat. “I’m fine. Jill, you need to be checked out.”
“What I need is a shower.” Jill chuckled, looking down at herself. “I’m good. Really.”
“What the fuck happened?” Steve asked Viktor.
“That’s what I want to know.” Sloan walked up, rubbing his forehead. “It looks like a fucking war zone.”
“For about ten minutes it was.” Jill snorted, peering around. “I was taking Lacey to the compound so Slade could check out her wrist. Next thing I know, I hear Viktor yelling my name, and then I guess we got hit. I think I blacked out for a second.”
“Were you wearing your seat belt?” Slade frowned down at her.
“No,” Steve answered for her. “She never wears her seat belt, but everyone who rides with her sure as hell does.”
“Steve, shut it,” Jill growled, ignoring the glare her mate was giving her.
“We were stopped at the light. I heard a car coming up fast. I tried to warn Jill, but it was too late. I barely made it off my bike before we were hit.” Viktor sneered. Just thinking about it pissed him off. “I went to check on the women—”
“And the assholes busted out my window and pulled me out,” Jill finished for him. “I never saw it coming.”
“Probably because you had a flash knockout from not wearing your seat belt,” Slade growled at her. “We’re vampires, but we can still get knocked out, go through windshields—”
“Get our lower halves mashed into hamburger meat just like Viktor almost had happen.” Steve cut him off.
All eyes went toward where his bike was smashed between the two vehicles, but Viktor’s remained on Lacey. She cringed looking at it. “Slade, can you take Lacey back to the compound and look at her wrist? I’ll be there soon.”
Slade glanced at Sloan who nodded. “Go on. Take Jill with you,” Sloan ordered. “If anyone comes up with an injury, I’ll send them your way. Duncan brought the SUV thinking we’d have to take someone in, but that’s obviously not going to be the case.”
“I’ll wait,” Lacey said, staring so deep into his eyes that he glanced away as he took her elbow to follow Slade and Jill.
“I have to take care of some things here, but I’ll be there as soon as I can and take you home.” Viktor’s tone was curt and he hated it, but this was what needed to be done. He knew it. Didn’t like it, but this was his life, and he should have known better.
A worried look colored her face as he helped her into the back of the SUV and helped her with the seat belt. Their faces were inches apart. “You’ll be safe,” he reassured her before backing away. Her words stopped him.
“I was safe before. You made sure of that,” Lacey replied, as if knowing exactly what he was thinking.
“No, you weren’t.” Viktor backed away more. “And no, I didn’t.”
Shutting the door, he tapped the top of the SUV, indicating for Slade to go. Lacey stared at him through the windshield and by the look on her face, she realized whatever it was that was between them had ended. Good. It was easier that way.
He watched the SUV disappear before turning. Charger stood behind him, his eyes also on the SUV before glancing at him. “Exciting night, huh?”
“She was here.” Viktor frowned when Charger tilted his head in confusion. “She, it... demon, Jezebeth... whatever the fuck it is. I saw her in the crowd. The bitch gave me a wave then disappeared knowing I couldn’t give chase.”
Charger’s whole demeanor changed, his body snapping to attention as his eyes scanned the area before refocusing on Viktor. “Next time try to keep one alive.”
Viktor snorted. “Yeah, like that was going to happen. The bastards had one thing on their mind, and that was killing us.”
“Unfortunately, I got here too late.” Charger cursed. “Solid black eyes?”
“Yes.” Viktor started heading toward the rest of the Warriors. Cleanup was almost completed. “And no black breath meaning they weren’t possessed, at least on the ones I killed.”
“Even Jezebeth couldn’t possess that many.” Charger walked beside him. “Which means a witch or warlock is helping.”
“Orjyll is behind this,” Viktor said as he stopped near the rest of the Warriors, his brother heading toward them.
“Came to the same conclusion as me I see,” Bishop added, then sighed. “He couldn’t accomplish his evil deeds on his own, so he’s called in some big guns.”
“Or it’s the other way around.” Charger gazed between the two brothers. “The big guns have always been in charge and since their lackeys can’t do the job, they’re coming in to do it themselves.”
“Is anyone else getting sick of this ‘take over the world’ bullshit?” Jared hissed, wiping his hands on his jeans. “Seriously, I’m ready for early fucking retirement because it’s getting old.”
“If Orjyll gets his powers back,” Bishop said, wh
ich was exactly what Viktor was thinking, “there will be no stopping them. His power combined with a powerful demon or demons would be unstoppable.”
“How many Grails are left?” Charger glanced at Viktor.
“Four,” Viktor replied with a frown. Even though witches weren’t Charger’s forte so to speak, he knew all there was to know about them because of the dark witches’ connection with the demon world.
“And four it will stay,” Ronan growled, his eyes growing black.
“Last I heard it was two.” Charger frowned. “Who did they gain?”
“My daughter.” Steve stepped up, his eyes also black as night. “And no one will lay a finger on her.”
“And Orjyll and Emilia’s daughter, Bonnie Grail.” Bishop added with a frown.
“Holy fuck, that’s news. Then guard them well because if Orjyll has made a deal with the devil, things are going to get very interesting,” Charger said, then looked at Viktor. “Who’s the girl in the SUV?”
Viktor knew exactly what Charger was asking, and he felt all eyes on him. “No one.” The lie left his lips smoothly but was forced out of his throat.
“Good,” Charger replied, but Viktor heard the doubt in his tone. “We are always targets, but not easily taken down. Demons are more... let’s say lazy than other paranormal beings when it comes to their deeds. They go for easy targets. Humans are easy targets, and Jezebeth is a master at finding a weakness.”
Everyone including Viktor understood this. It had been this way since the beginning. No VC Warrior should mate outside their race, but they did, and some suffered the consequences of that choice.
He almost made it himself... again.
Chapter 20
Lacey sat on an examination table inside a medical room at the VC Warrior compound. What had occurred in the last two hours rolled through her brain like a movie. No. More like a book. Her book. Holy crap, she definitely had some material now. And yet, that didn’t excite her as much as she thought it would. Something about the way Viktor had responded to her bothered her. He seemed different. Then again, he had just fought off an army of vampires after having his bike smashed between two cars.
She glanced toward the handsome doctor who was first checking over Jill at Lacey’s insistence. These Warriors were a different breed for sure. They had an intensity about them she had never experienced, but they appeared calm, as if all was right in the world. She filed that away for future use.
“Okay, your turn.” Jill smiled at her as Slade stepped up. “Oh, and if he says he’s going to count to three don’t believe him. It’s two.”
“Jill,” Slade warned, but smiled at Lacey.
“Hey, that’s a mean trick.” Jill frowned and gave a huff.
“It’s okay. I have a pretty high pain tolerance.” Lacey chuckled. “You don’t even have to count for me.”
“Total opposite. I hate pain,” Jill grumbled, standing next to her.
“And you do this?” Lacey asked, wide-eyed. “I would think there’s a lot of pain involved.”
“Not if you’re good at what you do. Plus the pay is good.” Jill grinned, then nodded toward Slade. “And the guys are hot.”
Lacey laughed as Slade rolled his eyes. “Okay, enough.” Slade reached out to take Lacey’s hand. “What happened?”
“I was helping my dad with a leaky roof. I slipped and fell on my wrist.” Lacey hissed when he hit a sore spot. “Yeah, that hurts.”
Slade continued to examine her tender arm, and Lacey couldn’t help but stare at him. Fearing getting her ass kicked by Jill, she forced her gaze away. What was it about these vampire Warriors?
“I’m almost certain you have a hairline fracture, but without X-rays, I can’t say for sure.” Slade gently let go of her hand. “The good news is nothing is displaced. I can call the hospital and set you up to get some X-rays taken, then we will know for sure.”
“Can you just wrap it?” Lacey frowned, embarrassment racing through her. X-rays were not going to happen.
Slade frowned down at her. “I could, but then we still won’t know whether there’s a fracture or not.”
“I’ll take her to get X-rays.” Viktor’s voice had Lacey’s head snapping toward the door. “Where do you want her to go?”
“Wrap it.” Lacey held out her hand toward Slade. “You all don’t have time to run me everywhere. If it doesn’t feel better in a day or two, I’ll take myself to get it X-rayed,” she lied, and seeing the look on Viktor’s face, he knew it too.
“Well, there’s one way to solve everything,” Jill added with a grin. “Take a little sip of Viktor’s blood and ta-da, instant healing.”
The room was silent as everyone stared at Viktor, except Lacey, whose wide eyes stayed on Jill. “That works?”
“Better than penicillin. In your case, better than a cast.” Jill gave Viktor a sideways glance. “Right, witch hunter?”
“She can have some of my blood,” Charger said from behind Viktor.
Lacey’s eyes shot to the new voice. Behind Viktor was the biggest man she’d ever seen. Were all these guys gorgeous. Even with a thin scar down one side of his face, he was hot. His eyes looked over Viktor’s head, which was impressive, right into hers.
“The fuck she can,” Viktor growled, his hand fisting at his sides. “Wrap her hand and I’ll take care of it.”
Watching the man lean down close to Viktor, she heard him say, “No one, huh?” Then he turned with a laugh and walked away.
Just seeing Viktor made her body come to life, but hearing the protective tone in his voice sent her mind reeling. She liked that... a whole lot. But reality slammed into her brain. What did he just say?
“Take care of... it?” Lacey frowned, her eyes narrowing. “It... referring to me?”
“Uh-oh.” Jill slid out of the way, dragging Slade with her.
Viktor sighed like he was dealing with a child and his patience was wearing thin. “That’s not what I meant.” Viktor walked over as to help Lacey off the table, but she jumped down before he reached her. The jarring didn’t do her pain any good, but she’d experienced worse.
“Oh, it’s not?” Perhaps she was being unreasonable or hell, maybe not. She was so damn confused. “Listen, I’m good. I’ve got this and don’t need anyone helping me. I’ve made it this long without—”
Viktor cut her off by slamming the door, hard. He stalked toward her. “Do you have any idea what kind of danger you put yourself in today?” The change in his eye color was breathtaking.
“What, trying to save your ass?” she shot back. “Well, never expect me to do that again. Is that why you’re all bent out of shape? Acting all... you know... weird?”
“If that bastard’s fist had connected with you, we would not be having this conversation right now,” Viktor hissed, his eyes narrowing at her. “Do you even comprehend that much?”
“I had a pretty good idea, but no one else was helping you. Not even the police,” Lacey hissed back, her eyes narrowing just as his had. “What did you expect me to do, just stand there? Do nothing?”
“Yes!” Viktor shouted, then lowered his voice. “That is exactly what I expected you to do.”
“But I’m not wired that way.” Lacey frowned and tilted her head. “If I see someone I care about in trouble, I react. I’m not the ‘just stand around and see what happens’ kind of girl. Sorry... not sorry.”
Viktor straightened slightly and stared down at her. A strange expression flashed across his face before it quickly disappeared. She had no clue what he was thinking until he reached out and grasped her chin. While the movement had been fierce, his touch was gentle. “Never put yourself in danger for me again, Lacey. Promise me.”
Leaning into his hand as he cupped her cheek, she stared up into his eyes. “I don’t lie... at least I don’t lie well.” She reached up and removed his hand from her face. “So that’s a promise I cannot make, and if I had to do it all over again, I would.”
Her words were like a punch to th
e gut, and he was taken off guard. He had men who had his back, but this was different. So very different. “Then this...” Viktor stepped away. “...won’t work.”
Before walking into the room, he’d thought it wouldn’t work anyway, but seeing her again made him hopeful. That hope was gone with her words. So many emotions crossed her beautiful face, but the one that devastated him was sorrow. He felt it too. How fucking strange was that.
“Then that’s your loss,” she said, her chin coming up proudly.
Viktor stared at her for a long time. Her gorgeous green eyes filled, but no tears fell. Her chin wobbled, and he watched her fight her emotions. He felt like the biggest bastard, but what was he to do? Take her in his arms, tell her all would be okay and then watch her die because of him, who he was? No, that couldn’t happen. He wouldn’t let that happen.
“Goodbye, Viktor.”
As Lacey went around him, he continued to stare at the now vacant space where she had stood. The door opened, yet he still stood in the same spot. Even as her voice cracked when asking Jill to take her home, he remained rooted to the spot. This was what needed to happen. He couldn’t take this any further. Viktor knew it, yet he had to fight his instinct of going after her.
“You good, man?” Slade’s voice made him move. He turned toward him, knowing his emotions were raw and plain to see.
“No,” Viktor said without looking his way, only to the empty doorway. “Make sure she gets the attention she needs. I will pay for any cost.”
“You know I will.” Slade clapped him on the shoulder as he walked out of the room.
Viktor continued to stand in Slade’s office, telling himself this was for the best. While his mind believed it, his soul called bullshit.
“You’re not doing her any favors you know.” Charger walked into the room, and leaned against the counter.
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