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“Chanel, your precious pediatric nurse will die before I do.”

“Don’t you dare threaten my girl.”

“I just did. What are you going to do?”

“There are so many ways to torture a vampire. I didn’t teach you anything about us.”

“Teach me. We have been separated for five long years. I picked up some things along the way. You’re not the only vampire in the world.”

Our pointed conversation halted when a human couple entered the dark alleyway, laughing. Me, Teresa, and Natasha stood frozen as the couple walked hand in hand toward us.

“Hey, is this where the party is?” The tipsy women asked.

“No, ma’am, it’s inside.” I answered while nodding at her male companion. He wasn’t as jovial as the lady. There was a tinge of fear in his eyes. I wasn’t sure if I was the one that looked menacing or maybe it was Natasha.

“Woo hoo, that’s where I want to be.” The woman proclaimed.

“Have fun!” I said as the couple passed us in the alley.

“Oh my god, you are so fucking hot.” The woman drunkenly declared as her eyes roamed over my body.

“Sorry, mister. She’s ya’ know.” He removed a hand from the lady to mimic drinking from a cup.

“No problem.” I responded in the friendliest voice I had locked inside me.

The man grabbed the woman closely. “Shut the fuck up before you get my ass kicked.” The guy gritted his teeth and whispered in his drunk companion’s ear. But as vampires, I believe we all heard it.

We waited until they turned the corner where the sidewalk led to the front of the building.

“Teresa, this is your last chance. Leave town.”

I glanced over at Natasha, catching the gleam of her eyes. She’s ready for anything. Her loyalty to me was absolute. As much as Natasha loved women intimately, she also loved having one as an opponent.

Teresa looked between us with a mocking smile tugging at her thin lips.

“I’m not afraid of your pit bull. You have a whole security team now.” Teresa looked down the alley at Nick, standing at the side door in the distance. “Why aren’t you man enough to talk to me alone?”

“I’m not a man. I’m a vampire. You seem to forget I gave you a new life. I brought you into my world and I can take the life I gave just as swiftly.”

“Well, you’re not vampire enough.” She teased.

The insult didn’t work. I was more than vampire enough. I had already had a one-on-one conversation with her. I was tired of talking.

“This isn’t a negotiation. There are no terms.”

“Then why does it feel like you’re begging me to leave town?” She asked, turning her back on me and taking a few steps. She wanted me to follow. I kept a safe distance between us. I didn’t trust her.

Teresa was too calm. She was up to something. So, I called her out. Maybe she would show her hand.

“You’re planning something.” I stated. “What is it?”

She stopped and spun around to face me. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

I pressed my hands into fists, then released my fingers to dangle at my sides. “You should return to Los Angeles. I don’t want to involve Gillian.”

The mention of my father’s name registered in her eyes and made her jaw clench. “He’s your father, not mine. Fuck him and fuck California. I’m not afraid of Gillian. Zand, I came from you.”

A take a long breath out. I couldn’t let her see how much I was fighting to keep control. “There’s nothing here for you.”