Page 115 of Kingly Bitten

Because apparently we’d arrived at our destination and neither of us had noticed.

A hint of wonder touched Jace’s gaze as he pulled his mouth away from mine and studied my face.You’re dangerous, Calina.

Not as dangerous as you.

Hmm, we’ll see,he hummed, his thumb brushing my lower lip. “We’re ready.”

A harsh knock followed his comment.

Then the door opened beside us.

Darius exited first, his hand lowering to assist Juliet from the car next. It was such a natural move, one I now recognized as proprietary, and it left me wondering what Jace would do.

He chuckled into my mind, his lips brushing mine.Trust me. My mark is evident in your expression.He lifted me from his lap in quick succession and slid out of the car. Then his hand appeared, his fingers dangling in a taunting manner.Come out and play, little genius. I want to show you off.

I swallowed, my heart suddenly hammering for an entirely different reason.

Because I knew why he wanted to show me off.

I was bait.

For a royal vampire with a penchant for killing his toys.

Now, Jace added, clearly hearing my hesitation. He was telling me to hurry so he didn’t have to make a show of punishing me for it—an understanding I gathered through his thoughts.

With a steadying breath, I slipped across the leather bench and placed my hand in his.

He pulled me out of the car with the ease of a much stronger being, his arm immediately circling my back as he held me close.

Not proprietary so much as necessary.

And we had a show to put on.

The more he doted on me, the more intrigued Lajos would become. Hence solidifying my role as a bargaining chip.

Jace kissed my throat, but I almost didn’t feel it through my rapidly beating pulse.

I understood the point of all this. I had a part to play, as did Jace. But facing the harsh reality of being used as a pawn was much more difficult than mentally accepting it.

My knees wobbled as we walked.

I focused on steadying myself and my resolve and disregarded everything else around us.

I’m a doll. A toy. A human slave. A food—

Calina,Jace interjected.I understand what you’re doing, but please stop. You’re none of those things to me.

I am who I need to be,I told him.Whoyouneed me to be.

His mental sigh echoed through my mind, his palm squeezing my hip as he led me across the dark wood beneath my feet. We’d entered the building without me noticing, the air-conditioning an icy caress to my overheated skin.

He spoke to someone.

I ignored the words.

I ignored the sensation of eyes on my skin.

I ignored the heavy beat of music as we entered another room.