There laid the embalmed body of a young woman dressed in silk. Her hands folded over her abdomen, with exquisite jewels around her neck and both wrists. Without another word, they slid the mausoleum shut again and left.
Once the dead bodies of the guards were out of sight, and their prizes were loaded up—including the beheaded vampire—they drove off. Vince had found some letters and diaries, and he’d taken them to see if they’d reveal anything about their next target.
Ezra dozed off as they merged onto the highway. Though his wounds had healed, the adrenaline was fading, and he started to feel the blood loss. Before he could fall into a deep sleep, he shot awake at the feeling of Mateo’s fist slamming into his shoulder. Poised to fight, he backed down once a bag of food landed in his lap. He stuffed his mouth, his energy replenishing with each bite.
“Should we text her?” Mateo asked, eyeing the disposable phone in his hand. “I mean, so she knows that we’re okay.” They each had their own untraceable phone on the off chance that Scarlett did reach out to them.
“Oh, is someone missing our sweet little toy?” Ezra teased.
“We all know you’ve been on edge too. The second we unload the truck you’ll be the first to drive to Brighton.”
Ezra only saw that as a challenge. Once they’d unloaded and hung the beast to be drained in their secret slaughter room, Ezra beelined towards the truck, with the other two on his heels. Though when they arrived at the Moonlight Building, they couldbarely feel her. It made Ezra uneasy, and the second they were parked in their usual spot, he leapt out to investigate.
“Ezra,” Mateo sighed and rolled his eyes “I’m sure she’ll be back soon.”
Ezra didn’t care. He stormed down the street, directly to the mall a few blocks away. With each step, he could sense her even less. Maybe she was at the park. Ezra redirected and sure enough, his mate’s presence grew stronger. He didn’t have to search long, finding her at a small ice café. The sun streamed through the trees, bathing the area in a golden light. She was picking out ice cream flavours to fill her chosen cone with.
Ezra dropped into a chair facing Scarlett and as she turned, the smile on her face faded.
“What an honour,” he mocked. “The princess has left the building.”
The blond man with her stepped in front of her protectively. His broad figure hid her tiny frame easily. Ezra recognised him as one of the warriors from the mall. He’d always been close around her—probably her detail. “Fuck off.”
Ezra chuckled and crooked his eyebrow with a devilish grin. “Or what, dog? Going to bite me? Or are you all bark?” Another chuckle, and his eyes found his pretty little toy peaking round the dog’s arm. “C’mon, little princess. Don’t be shy. Show me that pretty face of yours.”
Scarlett’s eyes widened in fear. Part of him liked it, but a much larger part enjoyed teasing the dog much more.
“Let’s go,” she coaxed, tugging on her guard’s wrist. “Come,” she urged when he didn’t move.
“Listen to her, pretty boy,” Ezra taunted, turning his attention to Scarlett. “How will you ever thank him for protecting you so well? Maybe you’ll fall on your knees and suck his cock.”
Her jaw dropped, tears filling her eyes. The dog’s fist flinched, but she tugged harder on his arm and tried to drag him away. “Come,” she begged.
“Oh, is that what you’re going to tell him when you stroke his dick and kiss his balls? Do you like it when they come all over your face?”
Scarlett blinked, triggering the tears to run down her cheeks. A sharp pain in the back of Ezra’s mind accompanied them, but before he could play a little more, a hand landed on his shoulder and squeezed.
“You should go,” Mateo softly said, though Ezra could feel his anger boiling beneath his façade.
“Come,” their little princess repeated, pulling on the dog’s arm.
He stared them down for a moment more, but then turned and ushered her away, using his body to protect her. Mateo stormed away, his anger burning through the bond like lava. Ezra followed, but didn’t see Mateo’s next move coming. He spun, landing a blow to Ezra’s jaw. Another, and blood filled Ezra’s mouth. Ezra stumbled, landing hard on the ground and giving Mateo room to crack his ribs. It took at least ten blows before Vince decided it was enough and pulled Mateo off him.
Without another word, they both walked off and knowing them far too well, Ezra knew that he’d better haul his sorry ass off the ground if he wanted a ride home.
Chapter Six
Scarlett
Scarlett scrambled to put herself back together just in time to walk through the lobby. Kurt had tried to link with her, but she’d pushed him away, terrified he would see the bond she was trying so desperately to fight.
As the elevator climbed higher, she found Kurt’s concerned gaze. “Don’t tell anyone. He’ll never let me out of the building again.”
His jaw clenched with his brows fusing above his nose. “Imight never let you out of the building again.”
“Kurt, please,” she begged, blinking away the heat behind her eyes.
The elevator jolted to a stop, and the doors opened. Kurt took a deep breath in. “Fine.”
