Page 48 of Daring Her Vampires

“Do you think she will do us a favor?” I ask, and then rush to explain. “We may be able to find Fredrick faster if Mara uses her magic.”

“I’ll have Serenity call you,” he says and hangs up.

“That went well,” I say, and Allie’s eyebrows shoot up. “He didn’t say no.”

“If she does, be careful,” Quinn says.

“We can protect our mate,” Atlas says, and Quinn nods. “Sally will keep you informed.” He frowns as his phone rings, and he slowly pulls in out of his vest. “Yeah,” he says gruffly.

“You took away my best soldier,” a man hisses, and Allie jerks. Atlas looks at his sister, and Luca stands.

“Fredrick.” Atlas walks to the door, looking out at the street.

“I’m assuming you didn’t like my present. Is that why Marcus is missing?” Atlas turns back, staring at his brother, and Luca moves to my side. Quinn’s fingers fly over his phone.

“A dead woman isn’t my idea of a gift,” Atlas says.

“Really? I like to think it’s a very creative present.” He pauses, and then says, “Is Allie with you?”

“Why the fuck do you think I’d tell you that?” Atlas snarls, his composure fraying.

“You have been protective in the past,” he chuckles. “Are you tired of chasing me yet? Why don’t you give her to me?”

“You won’t get near her,” Atlas grits out.

“Are you sure? Marcus found a way to be close,” he hums.

“Yeah, and look what happened to him.” Quinn motions to Atlas to keep him talking, so he must be trying to get a lock on Fredrick’s location. “I ripped his heart out.”

“Fuck you, he was loyal,” he snaps.

“Loyal?” Atlas scoffs. “He killed for you.”

“He loved it.”

“He won’t love anything again,” Atlas says.

“You’ll pay for it,” Fredrick promises.

“Show your face, and we’ll see.”

“Live in fear, Allie. Your brother took something from me, and I can’t wait to take something from him.” He hangs up and Atlas growls.

“Shade has a lock on the number,” Quinn says, staring at his phone.

“Atlas, he’s playing with you,” Allie says, moving in front of him.

“It’s fucking working,” he says, rolling his shoulders.

“Don’t let it,” she says. “He won’t get to me. We know he likes to threaten from afar.”

“Shade will continue to work on it. The number went offline. It’s probably thrown away, but he can try to find the last known location,” Quinn says, and Atlas runs his hands through his hair.

“We continue with the plan.” Standing, I squeeze Luca’s arm. “He won’t fight in the open. Allie’s right—he wants to unnerve you.” I walk around the desk and toward Atlas. “We will find him. Allie is protected.” Leaning into his body, he circles my waist, taking a deep breath.

“I don’t want you alone,” Luca says, staring at Allie.

“I haven’t been alone since we came here,” she says.