Page 54 of Fighting for Her Heart

I lied before when the others asked if I had resources stashed away, not fully trusting the other men at that point. But the thought of money has me wondering if my cache of silver, gold and stock certificates will be enough to support Ember and me—not to mention the rest of this family we’re forming—and what kind of job I might be able to get in this modern world should my stash prove inadequate.

But those are problems for another day. And I should get used to not having to fully shoulder the responsibility for our family, even if I establish myself as our alpha.

I lean toward Ryker. “What’s our next move?”

“Fuck if I know.” Ryker leans back in his chair, folds up one leg to rest his boot on the opposite knee. “Guess we try following Tavi at dusk? See where she goes?”

“That will prove fruitless,” Nora says.

“You got a better idea?” Ryker rolls his eyes.

“Yes, I do.” Nora pulls away from me and pours herself two fingers of whiskey, then takes a sip. “I know where we can find the witches who are looking for Ember.”

“Why the fuck didn’t you say that sooner?” Ryker shifts, lunging toward us so quickly that Nora leans back into the sofa cushions, unable to hide her fear.

But then she straightens herself, regaining her composure. “I believe that Ididmention it. More than once. It wasyouwho was so determined to seek out your old girlfriend.”

Ryker’s eyes narrow. “Speaking of Tavi, I’m gonna ask around. See if anyone knows more about her arrest. You okay babysitting the witch?” he asks me.

“Sure,” I answer.

“Asshole,” Nora whispers under her breath as Ryker walks away. If he heard, he didn’t react.

Zuben is definitely Nora’s favorite, but I’m good with being the second favorite son-in-law. Better than being the asshole.

Yawning, Nora sets down her whiskey.

“You should get some sleep,” I tell her.

She glances around the room.

“Don’t worry.” I stand. “I’ll stay close. No one will touch you.”

She lies down on the sofa, and I take the seat that Ryker vacated. After seeing me there, she turns over on the sofa to face its back and curls into a semi-fetal position.

I watch the rest of the room, taking seriously my pledge to keep Nora safe. While it’s quieter in this room of the club, it isn’t any less active, just less frenetic. Now that my eyes have fully adjusted, I can see dozens and dozens of vampires, in pairs or bigger groupings. Some are merely lounging, having conversations on the various clusters of furniture around the place, but many are feeding, copulating, or watching others do so.

Down in the dungeon, I quickly figured out that vampires are more sexually active than either humans or shifters—the only two other species I know much about—but this is beyond the pale.

Then again… My cheeks heat and my cock stiffens as I think of some of the activities that have gone on between Ember and Ryker and me, often with Zuben watching. Who am I to judge these people in here? But I have no idea if any of these groups are families like we have become.

Whispers ripple through the space like a wave, and I turn to follow their source. The princess and her male companion have entered the room. Catching my eye, the princess nods and continues toward us.

I stand as they approach. “Hello, Your…your Highness?” I have no idea how to address royalty, human or vampire, and I shift my stance, feeling awkward.

“Please, call me Anna.” Her smile is infectious and friendly, and I find one is spreading on my face too. Her male companion—Timur I think?—stands about six feet behind her, looking like he’s ready to kill anyone who comes too near.

“I am wondering if you have a moment to speak with me?” Anna asks.

I glance toward Nora. Her heart rate has lowered enough to indicate that’s she’s sleeping.

“We will stay close by,” Anna says and then gestures to a grouping of slightly stiffer furniture about fifteen feet to the right of the plush sofa Nora’s sleeping on.

“Sure.” I gesture for her to go ahead and then follow. Her male companion must take a different route, because he arrives first and brushes imaginary dust off a settee before taking Anna’s hand and helping her sit.

I take a chair facing Nora so I can keep watch.

Anna taps the seat beside her and Timur sits, keeping hold of her hand. The way he looks at her—it goes far beyond wanting to protect her from danger.