Page 33 of A Bond Beyond Blood (The Butcher’s Daughter Trilogy #1)

G annon

I’d endured true pain in my lifetime. Losing a parent would do that to a person, deliver hurt like they’d never experienced before and never wanted to again.

I’d died on a cold April night, utterly alone and beyond miserable, and the pain I woke up with, the hunger that burned and scraped through my insides like scalding fire had been excruciating.

I’d ached, with guilt and shame and a deep-seated self-loathing after every accidental kill.

And yet, this was something else entirely.

I was fracturing as I stood here, stunned silent, every piece of me a shard, raw and hard-edged and sharp.

As I watched my girl melt into another man’s arms, my chest ripped open and emptied, my heart a useless pile of rotted muscle and flesh on the floor.

As I watched him kiss her like he was laying claim , I wondered if I hadn’t truly felt this particular pain, this loss , before at all.

Because as much as I’d missed Jackie, grieved her, hated myself for leaving her, I hadn’t truly felt the pain of knowing she’d never be mine again.

The way it felt to see that she was truly gone, in love with another man...

I hung my head and closed my eyes as my soul shattered into a thousand tiny shards, each one sharp and edged in acid, each one a new way to tear me apart from the inside out.

Jacqueline Alessia Fiorino would never be mine again.

I’d never wanted to go home more desperately than I did at that moment. I glanced over my shoulder at the door. I didn’t actually have a home anymore, but I didn’t have to stay here. She didn’t want me; she’d made that abundantly clear more than once—

A hand clamped down on my shoulder and I swiveled my head to look at Elias.

“Cheer up, my boy,” he whispered, “we’re only getting started.” He winked and released me, then cleared his throat and raised his voice a bit. “Yes, well, as delightful as this is, if you could stop pissing on the girl’s leg, there is much to discuss.”

I dared a look at Vinny and Jackie, exhaling when he finally pulled his lips away from hers.

She didn’t look at me as she turned in his arms, then they both walked over to the couch and sat down together, and I was grateful for that small favor.

With their backs to me, I could swipe at my cheeks, disappearing the evidence of my pain.

I moved to stand in the kitchen, putting as much distance between her and me as I could without actually leaving the Fiorino home. When Elias settled back into Franco’s chair, I glanced at Jackie, but she didn’t even flinch.

“Wonderful. Now then, I’d like to propose—”

“I’d like you to let me out of the blood bond.”

Vinny choked, coughing quickly to cover the sound.

My eyes widened, but pride swelled in my chest. That was my girl, strong and stubborn as my mama—maybe even more so. I doubted my mom would ever stare down a vampire the way Jackie glared at Eli right now.

Elias stared at her with a hint of amusement softening the hard planes of his chiseled face, but just plowed forward. “If it’s alright with you, I’d like you to come live with me.”

Jackie scoffed, then looked at Vinny before leveling Eli with a scathing glare. “You’re delusional if you think that would be all right with me. I don’t want you in my life at all. That much should be obvious every time you creep inside my head.”

Eli smirked. “Oh, something is certainly obvious in that pretty little head of yours, petit colibri , but I don’t think you’d like me to voice that observation in present company.”

Jackie swallowed audibly and her pulse sped faster. I tilted my head as Vinny tensed beside her, obviously putting the clues together as I did. A pang of jealousy pinched my chest even as I smiled smugly at the way Vinny’s muscles were so rigid. Fucking Riccis . Serves him right.

And, I mean, if I was going to see Jackie with someone other than me, I’d rather it be the vampire who’d spent the past week teaching me all the things I needed to know than a Ricci . My lip curled in disgust at the thought.

With an annoyed huff, Jackie shook her head, motioning toward Elias. “Why are you ignoring what I said? I want out of the blood bond.”

Elias sighed and motioned to Vinny.

“Sweet girl,” he said to her and I bristled. “You can’t just get out of a blood bond. It’s...” He shrugged, waiting for her to understand. “It’s impossible.”

Jackie huffed. Fuck, I’d missed her stubbornness. “Nothing is impossible.” She glanced at me in the kitchen, then did a double take when she caught my grin.

“Why are you smiling like that?”

“Me?” I shook my head and schooled my expression. “No reason.”

Her eyes narrowed briefly, then she returned her focus to Elias.

“There has to be something I can do, a loophole or some way to release me from a debt I didn’t even earn.

” She huffed again, frustration evident in the tightness of her shoulders, the way her hands flew around as she spoke. “What will it take?”

“My death.” Elias had her up against the wall before I’d even realized he’d leapt toward her.

Vinny was on his feet, too, body tensed for a fight but keeping his distance.

I braced my hands on the counter as I leaned forward. How far would Elias go? He wouldn’t harm her, would he? He liked her... didn’t he? Had I misread the situation?

Jackie’s feet dangled a few inches above the beige carpet. Her hands fisted at her sides and indignation lit a fire in her eyes, but she didn’t whimper or beg.

“Tell me, dear Jack, are you ready to fight me again so soon?”

I swallowed hard, pulse speeding as I waited to see what would happen next. Was he the one who’d left those bruises all over her skin? I was worthless in a fight against either of these two vampires, I knew that, but maybe, if Vinny and I worked together—

Elias laughed and I jerked back from the sound.

“Promises, promises,” he said as he lowered Jackie to the ground.

My brow furrowed as I watched her cheeks turn red with anger, but then she dropped her gaze to the floor and growled, “Stay out of my head.”

“But it’s such a filthy, delightful place.” Elias chuckled again, then returned to Franco’s chair, pushing ahead as if he hadn’t just had Jackie against the wall. “When I reveal myself and regain my place on the throne, word will travel fast and my enemies will resurface. New enemies will be born.”

My eyes widened. Throne?

Vinny shifted, positioning himself slightly in front of Jackie as she stood where Elias had set her on her feet just a moment ago, but he didn’t seem particularly surprised by Elias’ words. “That’s it, then?” he asked, tipping his chin down. “That’s your plan? You want to rule again?”

“ Want is such a complex word. Sometimes we do what is required of us because it is the right thing to do—”

Jackie snorted but Elias ignored her.

“And I’ve grown bored of wandering. It gets quite lonely out there.

” He waved his hand in the air in a dismissive flourish.

“But I haven’t stayed away so long that the news hasn’t reached me.

There are rumors, and the building troubles within the Council of Lords have me.

..” He canted his head to the side. “Well, how should I put this? Let’s say there’s reason for concern. ”

“Rule?” I asked hesitantly. “Is that... are you actually a king ?”

Elias smiled as he spread his hands out in front of him and I shook my head. No one of importance, he’d said on that first day we met. Right. I knew he was full of shit.

“How old are you?” I whispered.

Elias chuckled. “How old do I look?” When I didn’t answer, he said, “Born vampires age until they turn thirty, then remain inhumanly beautiful for eternity.” With that, he turned to Jackie and winked.

But that wasn’t what I wanted to know, not really, so I dared to ask the real question. “But how long have you lived—”

“Millenia, dear boy.” His face grew serious. “I’ve walked this earth longer than most religions have been in existence. Does that answer your question?”

I gulped and nodded. Holy fuck.

“Now that we’ve covered the important details... Jack”—he swiveled toward her—“blood bond or no, there will be a target on your head.”

I catapulted myself over the kitchen island before realizing I’d told my feet to move. “What?” I growled.

Elias shot me a look that said we’d talk about this later, then motioned toward Jackie, who was now almost completely behind Vinny as if he’d moved to shield her as quickly as I’d flown over the breakfast bar.

Maybe we had more in common than I cared to admit.

“She reeks of me,” Elias stated. “Don’t pretend the two of you lovesick fools haven’t noticed.”

I swallowed hard, gaze flicking to Jackie as I considered that.

She did have a scent unlike anyone else.

For sure no humans I’d come across since turning had called to me quite the way she did.

Does . But I’d chalked it up to the fact that this was Jackie .

Even as a human, this girl called to me.

I’ve loved Jackie Fiorino since I was three years old and my mom first babysat her so her pops could run the shop downstairs without Jackie getting underfoot.

I frowned and looked at Vinny, but he had the same look in his eyes, that determined but frustrated look that must mirror my own.

“How?” I asked, turning to look at Elias. “Who are you?”

“There will be plenty of time for that. For now, we need to focus on a plan. It only makes sense that the girl will come to live with me—

“No,” the three of us said in unison, but only I earned a wrathful stare from the vampire king.

I cleared my throat. “With all due respect, I mean. Sir.” Shit . Was I supposed to bow or something? Speak to him differently now that I knew who he was?

Elias rolled his eyes. “Fine. If it makes you feel better, the two of you may join us as well. It’s safe to assume that anyone tied to the girl will be tied to me eventually and, frankly, targeted when things go awry.

Which they no doubt will.” He chuckled as if reminiscing.

“I don’t expect my return will be very well received by certain council members. ”

“No.” Vinny shook his head. “She’s not going to live with you.”

“And, what, pray tell, will you do when my enemies come for her?” Eli swiped a wine glass from the table and took a sip. “You’re a toddler compared to my brethren.”

Jackie stepped forward then, right past Vinny to sit on the couch directly across from Elias.

Her shoulders rose and fell on a deep breath, then she leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees.

“I speak for myself and make my own decisions. The answer is no. A very firm no. I’m not leaving my home, my father’s shop. ”

Eli let out a longsuffering sigh. “I had hoped you’d be slightly more agreeable.

” He watched her for a long, weighted moment, then he tsked .

“Pity, that.” He rose to his feet and strode to the door.

“The boy stays with you. There’s a Council of Lords to overthrow and I can’t very well have him getting underfoot. You understand.”

With that, he was gone.

My eyes widened as the eyes of the two remaining people in the room swung toward me.

Did he just... did Eli just leave me here?