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“Justbecause you believe he can doesn’t mean he’s fucking capable!”Hisvoice strains as veins pop in his neck. “Don’tyou dare pull this bullshit again.It’sone thing for you to be miles away, but it’s another if you’re dead.”

“Whatdoes it matter?”Iscream as tears fall.Igesture toward the house. “ZakandImade up, and you’re just gonna go fuck some new groupie, so what does it matter to you ifI’mdead or alive?”

Hescoffs. “Youreally think you can just pick up right where you left off withCountDraculain there when he can’t stop attacking you?”

“Whathappened to you kissing me every day?”

WhenAdrian’sexpression falls, that’s whenIrealizeIdidn’t scream that out of anger—it came out as a frustrated, heartbroken sob.

“Youpromised,”Iremind him in a tear-soaked voice. “AndIgot a clear view of you fucking someone else, instead.”

“YouthinkIwanna come home to find you nearly fucking dead inZak’sbed?” he bellows. “YouthinkIwant to drag you out of there and clean the blood from your body so he doesn’t come hunting for you again?”

Aheart-wrenching sob wracks my entire body.Somehow,Iknew he was the one who took care of me whileIwas out.

“Ifyou think you’re justZak’s, you’re fucking wrong.You’remine, too—slutty tendencies and all,Idon’t care.”

“Youcan’t share me!”

“Oh,nowtheRamosslut is closing her options?”

Myhand slings out and pops him across the face, right on his cheek.

Adrianhardly flinches before yanking me toward him.Hismouth crashes onto mine, unafraid of tasting all the tears that have spilled on my cheeks and trickled over my lips.

Ishove him away. “Justfuckingstop.”

Hedigs in his pocket and tosses keys at me. “Don’twalk home or to the bar.I’llget the truck later.”

Thekeys bite into the meat of my palm asIsqueeze them, wanting nothing more than to slap him again. “Ifucking hate you.”

Hesmirks knowingly. “Iknow.Nobodylikes the knight in bloody armor.”

Angerthins my lips into a solid line. “Mypurse is in the house.Justgrab my car and bring it by later.”

Idon’t give him a chance to respond, spinning on the ball of my foot and stalking toward theTacoma.Deepdown, asIpeel off onto the road,I’mthankful he’s saved me from snake bites and heat stroke in one fell swoop.

That, and his brother,Iguess.

ParkingtheTacomanext to theJeep, my throat dries out.Myphone is in my purse, so there’s no telling how many missed calls and textsIhave fromTyand my parents.

Itake a deep breath, count to five, and open the front door.

Musicplays down the hall fromNewYear’sBallHeadquarters, where two male voices banter.Iquickly make a dash for my side of the house; think it might be in my best interest to clean up, hide the vampire bite on my neck, and grab a new set of clothes before facing the music.

WhenIfinally follow it to the office,Ihave to take another breath and count five beats before turning the corner.

DadandTyfocus on me. “Wherethe hell have you been?”

“Sorry,”Iapologize.

“Couldn’tbe bothered to text anyone?”Tyquestions, clearly miffed with crossed arms.

“Imisplaced my phone.”

“Whathappened?Charliewanted to see about all of us getting together again before we head out.”

Thewords tumble out of me beforeIcan get a rein on it. “Iwas withZak.”