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“Yes.” I admitted, knowing better than to lie to her. Not anymore. Not after everything we’ve been through.

“I’m coming with you.” Her voice was calm. My eyes glanced at the black diamond on her finger. It was the physical manifestation of our commitment to each other.

Harlen and Morgan exchanged glances. They expected me to refuse. Natasha’s face remained impassive, but I caught the slight lift of her eyebrow. Approval, perhaps, or surprise at Chanel’s boldness.

“I know it’s what Teresa wants. She wants me there.”

“She does.”

Chanel stepped fully into the room, closing the door behind her. “That’s why I have to go. I’m tired of being the target, the prize, the victim. This is my fight, too.”

I watched her face. I was searching for fear or martyrdom. I found only determination. She was right, of course. This battle began because of Teresa’s obsession with destroying what I loved. Chanel had earned her place at the table.

“Then we prepare together.” I decided, extending my hand to her. “All of us.”

As Chanel’s warm fingers intertwined with mine, daylight was here now. After sundown, the plan to meet with my nemesis would be only a few hours away. Soon Teresa would no longer threaten what’s mine. Soon my queen would stand beside me without fear. Soon there would be vampire blood spilled in the Chicago streets.

I went back to the loft with Chanel to get a few hours of sleep. I needed time to refresh. I needed to be in the best shape and headspace for the showdown at Belmont Harbor. I allowed Natasha to do all the strategic planning. She would take care of the logistics of our upcoming confrontation. A few of my people were armed with Cripo Glocks, and Natasha had added a few more guns to my security staff. They were already trained because Natasha was always one step ahead.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

ZAND

We went back to the loft so Chanel and I could get a few hours of sleep. I needed time to refresh. I needed to be in the best shape and headspace for the showdown at Belmont Harbor.

We stepped off the elevator and entered the living room. Chanel walked toward the kitchen. She glanced over her shoulder

“Do you need a drink? I’m getting water.”

“No, I’m good.” I followed her into the kitchen. She placed her purse on the kitchen island.

“You know, you don’t have to put on a brave face. If you want to stay here tonight you can. You don’t have to come with us tonight.”

“No. I want to go with you.” Chanel opened the cabinet reached in and grabbed a tall empty glass. “I want to see her. I want her to see me.”

“I’m not going to let her get to you.” I walked away and leaned against the island.

“With you is the safest place for me.” She said and it was true. No one would protect her the way I would.

I couldn’t argue with that. “I hope she shows up.”

“She will.” Chanel walked to the refrigerator and placed the glass at the door. She pushed the lever for the water to pour into her glass.

“How do you know?”

“She’s a vampire, but she’s like any other woman. She views me as competition. She won’t miss a chance to see me up close. She wants to confront me. She’ll be there.” Chanel raised the glass to her lips and took a sip of the water.

“If I haven’t said it before I’m sorry.”

“Sorry. What for?”

“I’m sorry I brought her into your life. My ex, I’m sorry she’s here doing all these things to you, to us. I’m sorry she killed all those women. I’m sorry she murdered Morgan. I’m just sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking. I never thought she would take it this far. You don’t deserve any of this.”

“You don’t have to apologize for her. You just promise to kill her.”

“I will kill her.” I assured Chanel. Killing Teresa was my top priority.

“You used to love her, right? You married her.”