“What’s wrong?”
He shook his head. “Nothing’s wrong.”
She motioned to her neck where he bit her, marking her as his life partner. The love of his life. “This says you are lying.”
His grin quickly vanished. “It’ll work itself out.”
“This is about Victor, right?”
He gave a tight nod.
“Is there news? Do we know where he is? You look worried. Angry?”
Atlas closed the distance between them and ran his fingers where he had bit her. “Hasn’t this told you what I’m feeling?”
“You’re horny,” she sighed. “Again. Even though you kept me up all night. Keep it in your pants, Atlas. We have all night to dothatall over again.” She raised a brow, daring him to contradict her.
“Hmm.”
“But you are worried and angry. It’s both. I’m right, right?”
He grinned again. “You’re right.”
“Tell me.”
Atlas sighed and closed her in his arms. “Nah, trouble. I’ll take care of it.”
“We’re partners,” she argued. “That means you should share your problems with me. Especially since I am the one who created the problem in the first place.”
“You know how I feel about that.” He pulled her hair over her shoulder.
“It’s not my fault that a vampire stalker fixated on me. I know. Thanks for reminding me,” she kissed him softly. “It’s very easy to slip right back into blaming myself.”
His jaw clicked, and she knew what he wanted to ask. He wanted to know how Victor got to drink her blood. He needed to know, probably. But Lilliane didn’t think it was a good idea.
It didn’t matter anymore, anyway.
She was Atlas’s mate, and that was it.
“We don’t know where he is, but there’s been a string of murders near Rochester, and we think it’s him.”
She recoiled, but he reached out and hugged her close. “How many?” she whispered.
“Trouble,” he warned. “You’re not gonna blame yourself for this, too, are you?”
He would guess her thought. Lilliane shook her head, not brave enough to lie out loud. She wouldn’t tell him he was right.
“How many?” she asked again.
“Five. A sixth is missing but…” He sighed.
“Chances are, it’s six. Is anyone going to stop him?”
“That’s our plan,” he said against her temple. “He won’t hurt anyone again.”
She nodded and wondered how she was supposed to live with six more lives on her head. If she hadn’t gone off and fallen in love with Atlas, Victor would be locked in a vampire palace somewhere, torturing only her.
“Lilliane?” Atlas asked. “It’s not on you,” he repeated. “I’m here if you need me today, but your sisters are coming over. You can use the pool. Have a girls’ day.”
