“Of course,” I say, my brows furrowing. “We’re all each other has. So, if you’ll excuse me, I need to keep looking for her.”
I turn to walk back inside, but he catches me by the arm, stopping me in my tracks.
“Your heartrate says you’re scared,” he states.
“But that’s not going to stop me,” I say, determination steeling my blood.
He studies me for a long moment, and I can see the wheels turning in his head. “I can help you find her,” he finally says. “But I need your help in return.”
Wary nerves coil in the pit of my stomach, prepared to strike if need be. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“Come on,” he says, taking a step forward. He doesn’t let me go, but his grip loosens just slightly, feeling less threatening. “You and I need to talk.”
Chapter 2
“Ineed to know where we’re going to talk,” I say firmly.
“This isn’t exactly the kind of conversation you want to have in public,” he states, his eyes sliding over to meet mine. “You live close by?”
“Not a chance in hell I’m showing you where I live,” I say with a shake of my head and a raised eyebrow.
“Good, that tells me you’re not a complete lunatic with a death wish.” And I’m surprised at the slight smile that pulls on those obnoxiously perfect lips. “Look, I’m going to get a hotel room. And just so you know, I mean it when I say I’m not going to try anything, take this.”
The man pulls a gun that was tucked into the back of his pants and slides it into my bag.
A curse slips from my lips, and I check the crowds around us to be sure no one saw. “Would a gun even stop you? I might know what you are, but I haven’t quite figured all the rules out yet.”
“Aim true enough, and you’ll take me out,” he says.There’s a dark confidence in him that’s… unnerving yet alluring at the same time.
“And if I don’t?” I press.
“You might slow me down for a second, maybe long enough to get a second shot off.”
His expression is cold and even as I look over at him in horrified annoyance.
I don’t get the chance to say anything else because he pulls a door open and steers me inside, enveloping us in warmer air.
My mouth drops open for a moment as I take it in. There are towering ceilings that immediately tell me this place has money to spare. The entire place is opulent in the most modern and simplistic way possible. There’s a wall of mirrors, and crazy chandeliers. Everything is decorated in natural wood and stone.
This is the kind of hotel you only ever see in the feeds of billionaires online.
I look over at the man next to me as he walks to the attendant and starts reserving a room. He looks like the type who runs in motorcycle gangs and hangs out in tattoo parlors. Not the type who can walk into any posh hotel at the last moment and just casually ask for a room.
But I see it when he hands over a black credit card.
It’s all done and taken care of in less than two minutes.
“Come on,” he says with the nod of his head.
I don’t say a word as we cross to the elevators and step inside. And it all really hits me when the doors slide closed, trapping me with this man in a very, very small space.
A week ago, I found out vampires exist. I’ve seen fangs and inhuman strength and how they can incapacitate you with a bite.
And not only have I talked to one for the first time tonight, I allowed one to drag me out of where I meant to be and let him take me somewhere private.
My hand slides to my bag, closer to that gun he gave me.
“I’m not going to hurt you,” he says again without looking at me. His eyes stay fixed on the elevator doors.
