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One of the exam room doors opened, and Slade exited. His leather trench coat was unbuttoned, revealing part of his tattooed chest.

Colin’s feet rooted in place, his body drawing tight.

The opening widened, and Ivy swung into view. Her soft brown eyes locked with Colin’s before dropping to the floor. Scarlet painted her cheeks, and she stuffed her hands into her lab coat pockets.

Slade’s grin twisted into a sneer. The demon’s messy black hair lay at strange angles on his head as though a female had run her fingers through it. He stopped in the doorway, blocking Colin from entering and Ivy from leaving.

“Hey, pretty boy. Heard you got your chestnuts roasted.”

“Slade,” Colin grated, eyeing him. “What are you doing here? You get a paper cut?”

“Victor sent me to interrogate that assassin we captured at the bar. After all, pain is my specialty. Since I was in the neighborhood, figured I’d stop in and pay my girl, Ivy, a visit.”

“Detention cells are in the opposite direction, asshole. And she isn’t your girl.” Colin lunged, baring fangs.

Jericho threw out an arm, forcing Colin back. Slade liked to push until he got a reaction. There was no point in giving him what he wanted. Problem was, he wasn’t easy to ignore.

“So, Jericho,” Slade began, arching his pierced brow, “I hear you have a Chosen now. Hell of a thing, being the keeper of your best friend’s girl. Thought I’d pay her a visit, offer my condolences.”

Rage washed Jericho’s vision in a sheet of red. He stalked closer, standing toe to toe with the other male. “Stay away from Alex. You won’t get another warning.” While outwardly controlled, inside, he seethed.

Doc Randall walked out of his office, stopping beside Slade. With narrowed eyes, he accessed the situation with the same intense focus he did with triage. “Gentlemen, do we have a problem here? You know, I’ve little patience for violence in the medical facility.” Though the smaller male didn’t stand a chance against two warriors, his position warranted respect. None of them knew when they would find themselves strapped to Doc’s treatment table.

Slade stepped back, holding up his hands. “Nope, no problem, Doc. Just having a friendly conversation.” He peeled his lips back in a satisfied smirk and sauntered away.

Jericho stifled a groan. He’d given Slade what he wanted after all, revealing a weakness. Which meant this was just the beginning.

“Nope, no problem.” Slade’s voice echoed down the hall. A couple doors down, he trailed his fingertips across Alex’s door as he passed.

Jericho envisioned breaking every single one of them.

“God, I hate that guy,” Colin grumbled. “Why does Victor keep him around anyway?”

“Because he may be an asshole, but he gets the job done,” Doc Randall answered in a dry tone.

Colin snickered when the straitlaced doctor cussed. Doc had a point, though. Slade never let morals or ethics get in his way. He carried out his orders regardless of the cost.

Ivy gasped, stepping forward, big doe-eyes filled with worry. “Colin, what happened to your arm? Is that a burn?”

Colin’s grin turned blissful, his delight at being the subject of Ivy’s sympathy nauseating to watch. The male had it bad, all right.

Jericho reclaimed the attention of her scowling brother. “I’d like to check on Alex if that’s all right.”

“I gave her a sedative earlier to keep her comfortable. She’s probably sleeping, but you can visit her if you want. I imagine she’ll have a number of questions for you when she wakes.”

“I’m sure she will,” Jericho said.

Colin followed Ivy, his limp more pronounced. “Now that I think about it, my leg hurts a little too. Maybe you could look at it for me.”

Doc was quick to hustle after them, muttering, “Drop your pants in front of my sister, and you’ll need more than burn cream.”

With Colin in capable hands, Jericho headed to Alex’s room. The desire to see his Chosen had built with every halting step they took on the way to the medical facility. While his mind rejected the idea, his vampire instincts insisted she was his. His to use, his to heal, his to protect. He shook his head.Liam’s. Remember, she is Liam’s.

When she woke on that sofa, her only thought was for Liam. Was it possible Jericho had judged her too harshly?

He pressed the door open and slipped inside on silent feet. Part of him prayed he’d find her asleep. The conversation he needed to have with her wouldn’t be an easy one.

His gaze shot to the bed.