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“Of course,” he accepted before nodding towards the room behind me. “How can I help?”

I was surprised but actually not really. I let out a soft chuckle. “A warrior too, huh?”

He took in a deep breath and let it out. “The world is so much better than what it used to be, but there is still so much wrong that—I realized I’d become selfish and lazy. I took my success and sat back to bask in it.” He studied me. “But you hid your success and used all you’ve done to always keep fighting. I don’t like realizing I’m selfish.”

Fair enough. I nodded to my left, my warrior already here. “This is Alexis Gomez, lead counsel of Amanda’s Hope. If you’dlike to coordinate with her or help—we can always use it.” My lips twitched when Alexis snorted. “The former head of the legal department was always trying to fight this and a women’s shelter ‘fishing’ for cases at the hospital.”

“Well, the disgust coming off of him at that makes me like him even if you hadn’t already said good things about him,” Alexis said with a chuckle before extending her hand. They introduced themselves and she promised she could absolutely use the help.

That raised warning bells with me. “What’s going on that I don’t know?”

She gave me an amused look. “Lots. Always lots, but you’re a bit busy, Ellie.”

“Yes, but—what can I do?”

She started to tell me nothing but then sighed. “Fine, I can give you a list of hospitals that are being pains and not calling us like they agreed to. A bit too much pressure too often and shit thrown back on them and they—”

“They’re turning a blind eye because it’s easier,” I grumbled. “Yes, get me the list and I’ll handle it.” I held up my hands in surrender when she sighed. “I have presidents currently owing me favors. Our president is a vampire and a huge advocate for Amanda’s Hope. I will makehimremind them of that.”

“Done.” She nodded towards the door. “How bad?”

“Husband wasn’t physically abusing them, just turning a blind eye to it all and needs to cut the umbilical cord with his monster mother,” I answered. “It all ramped up when she had a daughter—same story we’ve seen. Hopefully, no lasting physical damage on either of them, but it will be a long road.”

“Any abuse on the daughter?”

“Grandmother throws things and yes, has hit the child,” I confirmed, holding up the phone. “Threats to kill them both that I will send you.”

“Good. Okay, I will walk her through the process and get started on it all,” Alexis said as she reached for the door.

“Wait, she’s being treated and on pain medicine,” Gerald cut in. “Anything she signs will be called into question and would—”

“Yeah, I know, and this isn’t my first rodeo, kitty,” Alexis drawled. “You’re the new kid here. Listen and learn.”

He blinked after her as she didn’t even wait for a response and went inside. “Right, okay, right then.”

And then he followed after her.

The security guard and I shared an amused look but then I had to put on my game face and jump into battle.

And a battle it was.

The husband was there now and his mother was playing the ultimate victim. Female vampires were some of the best actors there were, and it wasn’t a compliment since we’d all learned from an early age.

It was a needed skill for survival.

But we were all taught to be manipulative and to act well, so we—our society was truly fucked up.

“Enough!” I snapped, focusing on the man. “Your mate will be filing for a dissolution of your—”

“My wife,” he corrected. “She’s not my mate. She’s just my wife that I was—it was a strategic marriage.”

His mother slowly looked at him in horror and he cleared his throat knowing he’d slipped up but kept focused on me.

But I wasn’t going to let it go. I let out an evil chuckle and waited until she met my gaze. “And you thought you raised him so well—not like those other monsters or yourhusbandwho abused you, right? Your sons weren’t going to be like others, buthe is. He will find his mate just like the rest of them while—”

“Shut up!” she screeched. “You know nothing and—”

“I know this world and game too and I’m older than you,” I snapped. “I ran from becoming you, so I have every right tostand here on my soap box and lecture.” I moved closer to her, stopping only when someone cleared their throat to remind me to keep my head.