“Oh really, what kind of plans?” Lacey smiled as she followed him.
“It’s a surprise,” he teased. When she sighed loudly stating she hated surprises, he laughed. “Not this surprise.” He had rented them a place to stay for the night, and he could not wait to get her alone. With everything that had happened, as well as Steve’s injuries, and what was to come, they needed to get away. Even if it was just for a night.
Seeing Bonnie walking the hall with Drew, Viktor stepped toward her, letting go of Lacey’s hand. Reaching inside his jacket, he pulled out the small diary.
“Hey.” Bonnie smiled at them, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. Ever since talking to Orjyll, Bonnie seemed to withdraw, and it worried him as well as his brother.
“Here, let me take Drew so you guys can talk,” Lacey said, seeming to know they needed a minute.
“Thanks,” Viktor said as she passed him with Drew.
“What’s going on?” Bonnie frowned at him. Her eyes cast down at the diary, her mother’s diary.
“You need to stop blaming yourself for something your bastard of a father did.” Viktor stared down at her. “Nothing he does is a reflection of you.”
A deep frown marred Bonnie’s forehead as she looked away from him as if to hide what was behind her eyes. Which was the truth. The truth he just spoke. “Did you read it?” Bonnie asked, not replying to his statement.
“No.” Viktor handed it to her. “And I’m not going to. I don’t need to. I remember what Emilia and I had together like it was yesterday. I will always love her, and I don’t need a recap because I know what she felt for me. I know this may be hard for you to understand and believe me, I’ve done a lot of soul searching since you handed me that. But nothing in the diary is something I don’t know, and honestly, I don’t want to relive it. Call me selfish, that’s fine. Maybe I am. But that diary is more for you to read than me because I lived it.”
Bonnie took the diary and stared at it. Finally, she nodded. “I do understand.” Bonnie swallowed visibly. Her voice shook a little when she said, “And I know she would too. I miss her.”
“So do I.” Viktor reached out and pulled her to him. “We will make him pay, Bonnie. That I promise you.”
Viktor let her go, aware Lacey was behind him and hearing everything. But this had to be done for him to move forward. This was his truth. He had to let go.
Bonnie nodded and took Drew from Lacey. “Thank you. This means a lot to me.” She turned and walked away.
Making a mental note to text Bishop to explain to him what he’d just done and to keep an eye on Bonnie, Viktor turned to see Lacey staring at him. “I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for.” Lacey replied, her voice a whisper.
“You are one of a kind, Lacey Cruz.” Viktor leaned down and kissed her.
“Don’t you ever forget it,” Lacey smiled against his lips. “Now let’s go. I want to know what my surprise is.”
He swung her up in his arms and made his way out of the compound, more than ready to spend undisturbed time with her. It was time to explain to her about mates, because she was his. This he knew for a fact. It was never Emilia. If it had been Emilia, he’d never have these kinds of feelings for Lacey. And Viktor knew for a fact if something had happened to Lacey tonight, he would not have survived her death. No doubt the VC Warriors would have to put him down because going rogue wouldn’t come close to the hell he would rain down on this world.
“What are you smiling about?” Lacey asked as he sat her on the back of his new bike.
Without answering, he climbed on, sent a quick text, and started the bike. Tasks done, he glanced at her over his shoulder. “Hold on.” He winked at her. “And don’t let go.”
“Never” was the response he wanted to hear.
Bonnie held Drew against her with one hand on her little back as her other hand held the diary written for Viktor. Tears distorted her vision, and she blinked them away. She really did understand and believe his reasons for handing over the diary to her. She appreciated it.
After making her way to Steve’s room, she stopped just inside the door. Mira lay in a makeshift bed sleeping soundly not far away. Steve was never left alone, his eyes closed as he lay there trying to heal from what her father had done to him. They should all hate her, but instead of hating her, Mira trusted her with their daughter.
Tears fell down her face at the unfairness of it all.
“Don’t cry for me.” Steve’s voice was weak but loud enough for her to hear.
Surprised, she walked toward him. His eyes were thin slits. She turned Drew so he could see her. “You have to get better, Steve. She needs you.”
A tear slipped out of the corner of his eye. “Drew boo,” he whispered, and his eyes fluttered open.
“She heard you.” Bonnie sniffed once before noticing Steve was looking at her.
“Don’t blame yourself,” he said through cracked lips. “I got this.”
Bonnie nodded. “Yes, you do.” She tried her best to hold back her tears. “You better hurry because she’s growing like a weed, and boys are going to be showing up.”
“Fuck that. No pussies for my girl....” Steve’s words trailed off into a whisper and then he was out.
Biting her lip to keep the sobs at bay, Bonnie hurried out of the medical bay. Turning quickly, she ran into Bishop. He immediately pulled her into his arms, careful of Drew as she sobbed. “I’m going to kill him, Bishop.” She vowed those words against her father into Bishop’s chest. “I swear it.”
Chapter 34
To say she was surprised when Viktor took her to a very nice dinner—after taking her home to shower and change—to find her father sitting at the table the waiter escorted them to was a total understatement. She was speechless and touched by Viktor’s kindness toward her father. It was the first time in a long time she saw her father relax and really enjoy himself. After thanking Viktor for fixing the roof as well as inviting him to dinner, her father couldn’t stop asking questions about Viktor’s exploits being a VC Warrior. She knew Viktor kept everything PG-13 for her father’s sake and probably hers as well, even though she saw some of the more evil side of what they dealt with on a day to day basis.
Her father wanted to pay for dinner, but Viktor refused, saying this was his treat. Then she was sure he lied saying “this was the vampire way.” Only then did her father agree. After seeing that her father made it safely to his car, Viktor once again surprised her. Pulling up to a beautiful cabin, he carried her inside, kissing her every step of the way. They barely made it inside the house before ripping each other’s clothes off.
Now they lay in an oversized bed, his arms wrapped tightly around her. Never in her life had she felt so content to just snuggle in bed. The double doors that led out to a nice-size deck were open allowing the sounds of night to reach her ears. She stared outside at the dark sky spotted with tiny stars. With her back against his strength and head tucked under his chin, she sighed. So much in her life had changed in such a short time, and she was fine with that. She still wanted to publish her book, but right now, she would go about it at her own leisure, which suited her just fine. She didn’t want her writing to be a job; she wanted to love it. So many times a passion became a job. Now with working for the VC Warriors, she could get her research, be near Viktor, pay all the growing bills off, and finish her book on her own time. And all of this was because of the man holding her tightly.
“Thank you,” Lacey whispered, clutching his arms tighter against her.
“You really need to stop thanking me, Lacey.” Viktor’s voice was low as his fingers played lazily against her breast. “Whenever it’s possible, I will do everything in my power to make you happy.”
She smiled and turned to look into his face. “I’m not hard to please.”
Viktor winked at her. “No, you definitely aren’t hard to please,” he teased, then laughed when she frowned. “And are very vocal about how I can please you.”
/>
“Hey, I’m a good girl.” She pinched him.
“Lacey, what you did to me on the steps earlier is not something most good girls do,” Viktor said seriously. He followed up with a deep laugh at her widening eyes.
Pretending to be offended, she pinched him again. It was true though. She could still taste him on her lips and planned on taking him into her mouth as much as possible. “I sure didn’t hear you complaining.”
Viktor grasped her chin, bringing her face to his for a deep, passionate kiss. “Nor will you.” He ran his tongue around her lips. “You can do whatever you please with my body.”
Even as happy as she was, there was a nagging feeling rumbling deep within her. “We happened pretty fast, didn’t we?”
Pulling slightly away from her, Viktor frowned. “For a human, I’m sure it seems that way.”
“But for a vampire?” Lacey sat up, waiting for the answer.
“For a vampire like myself, who has been waiting a long time for their mate,” Viktor said, leaning up on one arm, “it can happen instantly. For me, when I saw you in Primavista, I knew, even though I wouldn’t have admitted it at that time, you were mine.”
“But why wouldn’t you have admitted it if you knew?” she asked, then faltered. She already knew the answer. “Because I’m human.”
He nodded, touching her face. “My life, as you’ve seen, is different. Danger is around every corner, and I have to be careful. All Warriors need to be careful about who they bring into their life. I guess I’m a selfish son of a bitch because I can’t let you go.”
Lacey smiled at his words and pushed her face into his hand. “There is nothing selfish about you, Viktor.” A question burned her throat, and she knew for her own peace of mind she needed to ask it.
“Do you still love her?” While she knew the answer to this question since she heard his conversation with Bonnie right before they’d left the compound, she needed him looking her straight in the eye and saying the words. She wanted nothing between them. Only honesty. He had spoken the words to another, but not to her.
“Yes,” Viktor responded without hesitation.
Okay, yep, that hurt a little bit, but in some strange way, she understood. “I’m so sorry you lost her. Why didn’t you read her diary? I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have listened to your conversation with Bonnie, but I did. If you don’t want to answer, I understand.”
“You can ask me anything, Lacey, and I will always answer you,” Viktor replied, sitting up across from her. A cool breeze blew in from the open doors, her hair blew into her face, but he swiped it back gently. “My reason for not reading that diary was not meant to be disrespectful toward Emilia, but that period of my life was not pleasant. I know what her feelings were for me as I know what my feelings were for her. I know in her heart I was forgiven for the mistakes I made. I’ve needed to move on for a long time, and it wasn’t until I met you that I realized that time was now. I gave the diary back to Bonnie who it rightfully belongs to.”
“You’re not the least bit curious what it says?” While Lacey understood, something inside her asked that question as she sure as hell would want to know. Then again, she hadn’t lived through what was obviously a tragic experience for him.
“No,” Viktor replied, then looked away from her and out the open doors. “I’m not.”
“But why?” She cupped his chin, pulling his gaze back to hers.
“Because she wasn’t my mate, Lacey.” Viktor’s gaze was so intense she felt it in her very soul. “If she would have been my mate, I would never love you as I do.”
A tear slipped down her cheek at his words. She felt their meaning inside herself. “Am I your mate, Viktor?”
Viktor had wanted to bring Lacey here, somewhere special, just for this reason, and she ended up being the one to open the door for the conversation. He was fine answering her questions about Emilia. It was her right to know. And yes, he would still have a love for the woman who had been a part of his life for so many years, but it didn’t compare to what he had for Lacey. And he planned on showing this beautiful woman every single day just how much she meant to him.
“You are my mate.” He cupped her cheeks with both of his large hands. “But you have to accept me.”
The crease between her eyebrows looked so cute when she frowned. “What happens if I don’t?”
“Then I will kidnap you, live in a cave, and never let you leave until you do.” His reply was spoken so seriously it actually scared him. It was probably exactly what he would do.
A large smile broke across her face. “I don’t think you have to go that far.” She chuckled and climbed up on his lap. “Because I do—”
“It won’t be easy being my mate,” Viktor said quickly as she positioned herself on his naked lap.
“Why, do you leave the toilet seat up?” Lacey teased, kissing him. When he didn’t smile, she leaned back. “I know what it means. I would be accepting the danger, the enemies, among other unpleasant things, but I also know the care, the love, the sex, but most importantly you, Viktor. I would be getting you. So, Viktor Valentino, I accept... you.”
Her words surrounded him with such pleasure he wanted to roar. He pulled her close, kissing her hard. Their bodies mashed together, and he knew he needed to loosen his grip so as not to hurt her. When his lips left hers, he stared deeply into her eyes.
“So what do we have to do?” Lacey wiggled against his hard cock with a sexy little smile. “I hope sex is involved.”
Viktor growled, a smile on his face. “Oh, it is.” And he proved that point as he lifted her slightly and slid easily inside her. The moan that left her lips had him wanting to pin her to the bed and pound into her, but he kept his composure. Instead, he let her slowly move up and down his length, taking control.
“I will give my life for you, my mate. You are mine for now and always. Never will a day go by will you want for anything,” Viktor vowed. Each mating words were a vampire’s own.
She watched him intently, looking sexy as she moved sensually. She then tilted her head slightly offering her neck. “Am I right?”
“Yes, I am to take your blood as you will need to take mine.” Viktor reached over where he kept a knife close at hand. Giving her the knife, he reassured her with a smile. “A small nick to my neck will do.”
Unflinching, Lacey used the tip of the knife, and he felt the slight sting. She laid the knife down, looked into his eyes before she once again tilted her neck as she moved her mouth toward his.
His fangs sank into her sweet-smelling skin like butter as he felt her full lips against his neck. Her blood was sweet with a hint of bitterness, just like he drank his wine. His cock hardened inside of her as his mouth pulled from her neck. Knowing she was getting too much of his blood, he removed his fangs and licked the wound closed. Her mouth left his neck, and he licked his fingers, wiping them against his wound.
Their eyes met, and hers looked a little unfocused as she began to bounce up and down almost out of control. Her breasts bounced, and he couldn’t take his eyes off them. She was reacting to his blood. He shouldn’t have let her have so much, but holy shit, the way she was fucking him almost had him exploding.
Grabbing her hips, he slowed her down, then laid her back on the bed and began to pump into her. She stared up at him, and he saw she was regaining control. With a deep, fast thrust, he sent them both over the edge.
“Wow!” Lacey whispered, her brows dipping. “That was intense.”
Viktor laughed, picking her up. Soon a heat would rush through her body. The aftereffects of his blood. He carried her toward the open doors and stood on the deck. “Yes, it was.”
“I love you.” She leaned up and kissed his neck. “Am I now your mate?”
“You are.” He carefully jumped up on the rail. With expert ease, he balanced himself with her in his arms. “As I am yours.”
“I like that, a lot.” Lacey smiled up at him before a crease appeared on her forehead. “But why is my bod
y feeling weird?”
“It’s an aftereffect of taking a little too much of my blood.” Viktor chuckled when she squirmed, knowing the warmth she was experiencing. “You’ll be fine. I’ve got you.”
“I know you do,” she replied, then glanced around and gasped. “What are you doing? Why are you on the rail? Oh shit, Viktor. Get down.”
“Trust me.” Viktor’s voice was serious, his eyes searching hers when she looked back at him wide-eyed.
He watched as she looked down to where the infinity pool lapped underneath them. After a few moments, she looked up at him. “Always.”
Viktor smiled, happy with her answer, and then leaped. He had to give it to her—she didn’t scream as they hit the water, the coolness washing over them. He held her tightly, kicking off the bottom. This would cool her heating body down.
When they broke the surface, Lacey was laughing. “That was amazing.” She looked up where they’d jumped from, then back to him. “Can we do it again?”
“All you have to do is ask nicely.” Viktor winked at her. When he released her, he swam away with her trying to catch him.
After they played in the water, made love many more times, he held Lacey who fell asleep in his arms. As he lay in bed holding her close, he stared at the dawn breaking over the horizon, wishing he could shut out the world and spend the rest of eternity with this woman. But he knew that wasn’t realistic.
The world would come for him. It always did. Now he had more at stake. Pulling Lacey closer, he closed his eyes, shutting the world out before all hell broke loose.
Also by Teresa Gabelman
Lee County Wolves
Forbidden Hunger (Lee County Wolves Series) Book #1
Forbidden Seduction (Lee County Wolves Series) Book #2
Forbidden Desire (Lee County Wolves Series) Book #3
Forbidden Temptation (Lee County Series) Book #4
Viktor Page 22