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“Ew. I didn’t need to know that.” She plugs her ears with her fingers but fights a smile much like myself. “Fine.” Ava sticks out a perfectly manicured hand. “So, I’m in?”

“I guess,” I mumble and shake on it. “But you’re playing by my rules and the first is to sit your ass down and listen.”

I deal with her peppering of questions and give her the low down and she agrees to be on standby until I tell her otherwise. We can’t go in guns blazing—or in my case fangs—we have to be smart about this.

Patient.

And that’s really fucking hard.

CHAPTER 45

ZAVIER

Walking down the street the next evening as I try to sniff out any hint of Celine or Genevieve, my phone rings. After another long, unsuccessful day I answer it on instinct thinking it’s one of my contacts with an update.

“Hello?” My greeting comes out gruff and tired.

“Make a decision, handsome?” Genevieve’s voice croons from the other end.

This bitch.

My back goes ramrod straight and I can’t help the growl that comes out of my chest. Looking at the phone screen I realize it’s an unknown number. Subtly glancing around I check for her slimy self but don’t see anything.

“Yes, in fact. After much consideration I’ve decided you can fuck off.”

Genevieve isn’t impressed by my answer. She huffs and I hear bracelets clink against each other as she adjusts the phone.

“You know what I’m capable of, Zavier. Don’t fucking play with me. I’ll rip your pretty little mate’s head off without a second thought. I promise you, I’ll do it.”

“I’m not getting back together with you. Get it through your thick skull.” A passing human gives a side glance at myaggressive tone, and I head over to stand in the shadows. “Where’s Celine?”

“Wrong answer. I told you something would happen if you didn’t fall in line and now, you’ll see the consequences of your actions. Heed my warning again, next time I’m going for her life. I’m done playing nice.” She ends the call, and I crush my cell in my hand.

Throwing the pieces down the alleyway, I scream out in frustration. Should I have antagonized her? Probably not, but it physically hurt me to lie and play her game. Now Celine will most likely suffer for my stupidity.

I have to find her. Ineedto find her.

My breath comes out in a heave, and I close my eyes in an attempt to keep the bloodlust at bay.

Nowadays, it comes on quick and rides me hard.

Without Celine, it’s becoming harder and harder to pull myself back from my animalistic side. Whenever I sleep, I’m plagued with nightmares where she’s tortured and killed in various ways at Genevieve’s hand. Her scent has almost disappeared off her pillow and I fear the day it’s gone entirely, I’ll be lost.

This is getting me nowhere and I need to calm down before I do something stupid. I’m in no state to find her, wound up as I am. I need a distraction, and the perfect thing will be chess with Tom. For all I know he might have some good advice for me. Unlikely, but you can’t blame a guy for hoping.

Last we talked, he was excited one of his granddaughters was having a baby. She’s getting close to her due date, and he warned me our weekly chess game might be pushed because of it. But I don’t think he’ll mind if I drop in for a surprise match today.

Jogging the few blocks it takes me to get to the restaurant, I hop up the stairs and enter the building.

“Tom, ready for me to beat your ass at chess?” I sing-song in an attempt at positivity.

He’s already sitting in his usual spot, and I head toward him. The place is quiet and devoid of customers since it’s almost closing time, but I love that he’s still doing his thing in the corner. Slightly grumpy he’s still a hard worker and wants what’s best for the restaurant.

“You don’t know how much I need this.” I blow out a breath.

It feels wrong to be playing a game when I should be looking for Celine, but I also know a visit with my friend will help me in the long run. I need to clear my head so I can think logically. I feel like I’m missing something.

I grab the board and set it on the table before plopping down in the seat across from him.