Page 83 of Daring Her Vampires

“Try me,” I challenge, tipping my chin down, staring into his eyes.

“I want to find Fredrick and rip his heart out. He broke Allie in the worst way before she was turned. I hate that she had to deal with it in silence. Your family may have great intentions, but I was very close to fighting them for speaking to Luca the way they did,” he hisses. “I also don’t give a fuck if they hear us. They don’t have the right to question my brother’s love. The thoughtof Fredrick taking you away from us makes me nauseous and ready to hunt him down. I am very close to losing my shit, doing whatever I fucking want to find him, and stringing him up.” He kept his voice low, but my family members aren’t saints—they heard.

“Well, I asked for honesty.” I grin and kiss his cheek. “I love your violence. My family needs to be reminded of when they met their mates and the shit they did to protect the bond. They love mates who will do anything to keep those we care about safe.” I hop down and face the crowd. “Things got a bit heated. Tomorrow, whoever wants to bond over finding the fucker, meet at Quinn’s office. I love you all and appreciate your misguided actions to protect me and Allie. It shows how much all of you value the women in our family. I get it, but cool off. You need to remember how strong the women are, and that we can handle everything you can, if not more. If you can’t, your mates will remind you.” I smirk and meet Daisy’s eyes. She winks and pulls Micah straight. “Atlas and Luca are mine. Do not question their dedication to Allie or me. Are we clear?”

“We are,” Micah says, nodding to my boyfriends. “We will meet you in the morning.” It wasn’t quite an apology, but I’ll take it. He wraps Daisy in his arms, and they blur out the door.

“I respect violence also,” Heath drawls, walking toward us. He stops in front of my mates. “I apologize. I understand coming into the family and not fitting in. Sally is someone I respect, and I trust her. We will be at the office. I don’t underestimate the strength of my mate.” He turns to me. “Even though I don’t, I still have a need to protect her.” Shit, the snake knows I’m up to something. “Goodnight.” He nods, turns, and guides Juliana out the door.

“I’m in.” Roxanne jumps up. “I enjoy a bit of violence.” She blows me a kiss and saunters to the door. Saphira, Kingston, and Maverick follow.

“I’ll bring the fire,” Saphira says, wiggling her eyebrows.

“I’m staying with Roxanne,” Allie says, glancing at her waiting in the hallway. “We’re going to have a movie night.”

“Sis,” Luca says, standing.

“I’m good. I want to forget for a while. I’ll be ready to face the past in the morning.” She smiles and joins Roxanne, shutting the door behind her. Luca circles my waist, the silence in the room startling in its suddenness.

“What did the witch find out?” he asks.

It’s decision time.

Am I going to do the responsible thing and reveal all?

Or do what I always have and go it alone?

Chapter Nineteen

Sally

Imove away from Luca and pace to the couch and back. They look at me expectantly, and I twist my hands.

“Did you mean it? When you said we would fight together?” I ask, and Atlas stands, narrowing his eyes.

“Yes,” he says slowly, and I bite my lip.

“I have a list of addresses,” I start, looking back and forth. Luca tilts his head and crosses his arms. Atlas walks over and stands beside him.

“And?” Atlas mimics his brother. Damn, they are a hot wall of vampires, and I get distracted.

“Tricks,” Luca growls.

“So…” I grimace, shifting. “She thinks he could be at two locations.”

“Two?” Atlas drops his arms.

“More likely, one of them.” I sigh. “Mara is positive that I am supposed to be there.”

“You didn’t think we would allow you to go?” Atlas asks.

“No,” I drawl, lifting a shoulder. “At least, not after you hear the rest.” I pause.

“Are you going to tell us?” Luca asks.

“Do I have a choice?” I mutter.

“There is always a choice,” Atlas says.