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I’ve never understood the name “Undead”. We’re very much alive. I blame that stupid legend of the vampires that humans came up with, the one that says we’re nothing but reanimated corpses. Gross. We’re born just like anyone else; with a few small differences. Regardless of that, if I’m seenputting the Undead interests first, and funnel that money into more blood donor facilities for us, that’s a great PR move. I learned that from Dad.

Which reminds me of the deal I’ve made, that I also need to get married to further our line. I’m not happy with any of it, but at least I seem to have more choice in the matter than the other heirs do. Knowing Mom’s only goal is for me to secure our family's future helps. It's because I know that which makes me wonder, would she accept a donor? Then I can raise the child without having to marry a man, someone I’m clearly not attracted to or comfortable around. Maybe I could even marry a woman and raise the baby with her, being true to myself and giving the empire what they need. My thoughts flick to Amelia, but I can’t let myself even consider that fantasy.

I’m interrupted with my musings because I’m sure I smell something that shouldn’t be here. At first I thought it was my imagination for having thought of her.

Amelia.

Following the smell, I find a beautiful woman in a green silk dress, and I know if she takes the mask off, I will find matching green eyes. “What are you doing here?” I whisper-yell, incredulous.

“Didn’t Dom tell you? I’m his PA now. This ball was my idea.” I catch her innocent smirk beneath the mask. I’ve had even less time to catch up with Dom and Sebatian while wallowing in my self pity, and it shows how much I’ve missed.

I try not to gape, keeping the hurt out of my voice. “You just left without saying anything, and you disconnected your number. I had no way of knowing you were okay.” Amelia’s body language gets defensive, and a small part of me admits she has reasons to feel this way.

“Now you care?” Her eyes narrow behind the slits in her mask.

Looking around, I realize this is maybe not the best place to discuss this, so I grab Amelia’s hand and lead her to Dom’s office, where I know we will get the most privacy. Noticing she has a slight limp, I ask, “Are you okay?” I point at her leg, and she brushes my concern off with a fall she had the other day.

The door snicks close, shutting off the music behind us and pulling off my mask, I turn to face her, my arms across my chest. “Well? What are you playing at?”

I didn’t realize that this move would elevate my already ample cleavage until Amelia’s eyes dart down to them quickly before darting away again as she tries to remain focused. I lick my lips and shift on my feet. Her bottom lip sticks out petulantly, and it’s all I can do not to cross the small room and catch it between my teeth. “Luca, I’ve told you a million times what I want, and you clarified I can’t have it. So I’m trying to move on. Why is that so hard to understand?”

That’s when the penny drops for me. I was so focused on Tao and our empire that I took advantage of what was right in front of me. I hurt Amelia deeply because I didn’t fight for her. It's more than just sex, though. She was my friend first, and I miss her.

Taking in her standoffish attitude, I’m realizing the gaping hole my life has without her in it. Making a split second decision, and probably taking the riskiest step of my life to date, I push Amelia up against the wall.

“What are you doing?” Her voice is thick, and I can hear her heart thundering.

Meeting her unwavering gaze, I let her see all the longing and regret in my face. “I’m showing you how sorry I am, and how I was an idiot for notfighting harder for you.” With our bodies pressed against each other, she seems to be more affected, judging by her rapid breathing rate as she says, “I thought you said we can’t have anything.”

I groan, tipping my head back. “I know. And I was an idiot. I will talk to my mom tomorrow and start trying to change things. You’re worth risking it all for.”

That’s all it takes for the restraint to snap, and our mouths finally crash together, Amelia’s hands roaming over my curves. My hands fumble with the neckline of her dress, practically yanking it down until it’s low enough to flip the cups and expose those perfect breasts.

I groan, nearly coming at that sight alone. I want to bury my face in them, but there will be time for that later. Kissing across them and down her neck, I leave a trail of fire as I lightly graze her skin with my teeth, making sure my fangs don’t get in the way, and she moans. It stokes something deep inside me, knowing we’ve finally crossed the line. I’m nowhere near done. I will do whatever it takes to pull more of those sounds from her sinful mouth.

Straightening, I hook her leg around my hip with one hand, my fingers gripping her thigh so hard I’m going to leave bruises on them as I lift her dress up and push her underwear to the side with my other hand, and then one finger slowly sinks inside of her.

“Look at me,” I tell her, and she practically smolders, her teeth biting into her full lip as I increase my frequency. Adding a second finger, she gasps, and I’m spurred on by her desire as she clenches around my fingers. Withdrawing my fingers, Amelia gives me a murderous look as if she can’t believe I’ve stopped so quickly.

A devilish grin covers my face as I lift her dress and get down on my knees, telling her, “Maybe me worshiping you on my knees will show you howsorry I am.” My mouth finds her soaked center, and she moans, and my tongue finally tastes her. Amelia grabs my hair, and I welcome the pleasure, bordering on pain as her back arches against the wall as she grinds her hips against my mouth.

Looking up at her from my lashes, Amelia provides a sensual sight, her breasts pulled up from her dress, yet still fully clothed and her breathing heavy with my mouth between her legs. “What if someone walks in?” She whispers.

Removing my mouth for only a moment, “I don’t care,” is all I respond as I find her center again, determined to make this goddess come more than once this evening.

Chapter 20 | I’m Unwell

Luca

“Daddy, isn't it hard for you to be the only human in our family and married to the head of the Undead empire?” Dad steps away from rolling enchiladas and wipes his hand on a dish towel before he turns to face me. “Well, yes, Chiquita, it's hard knowing that I’m insignificant compared to your mother’s power. But you know what’s harder? Living in a world without her.”

Leaning forward, I place my head in my hands as I lean on the counter and listen to Dad tell me his story again. I’ve heard it so many times, but it never gets old.

“You know, I was living on the street when Ryder found me. He gave me a home, and when he suggested I marry your mother, he gave me a purpose. So at the end of the day, being human doesn’t matter. Knowing I’m exactly where I’m meant to be, does.”

Looking down at my warm pan, I struggle to keep my sadness at bay. There are so many memories in this kitchen, more good than bad, and today I’m honoring that by making the same enchiladas from scratch that Dad once taught me to make. He was the chef in our family,and he had this kitchen fitted out with every latest appliance you can think of. A kitchen that’s gotten very little use since his death.

Dropping some homemade sauce in a pan, I add my tortillas one at a time until I have a nice stack of them, and the kitchen smells like onions and chillies. As I assemble the enchiladas, the loneliness threatens to overwhelm me. Dad’s gone; Tao’s gone, and if I don’t act soon, I’m going to lose Amelia too. Dad made it clear that Mom was his life, and things have no purpose if you don’t have someone to share it with.