Page 91 of Vampire Bachelor Games

“Armed drones,” I shrug, as the lead negotiator looks back to me, his expression strained as he sees the dots on each of his colleagues. “Can’t miss.”

“Get his mother,” he mutters to the woman who’d suggested shooting her.

She nods, her eyes worried, and strides to one of four black SUVs parked behind them.

I try not to show my relief as she returns with my mother, hands tied, but otherwise looking unruffled. If I didn’t know better I’d say she looks healthier than I’ve seen her in years, but it could just be the difference between her now, and the last time I’d seen her, on her deathbed.

“Darling,” she smiles. “I knew you’d find me.”

I nod once before springing to her and pushing her to the ground to cover her with my body as the people around her collapse into bloodied heaps.

All but one. As I’d planned.

He reaches for his gun, but before he can react the SUVs explode spectacularly, and he falls to the ground, shielding his face from the heat.

Jumping to my feet I look down to where he cowers and shake my head at him.

“You double-crossing vampire prick,” he snarls.

“Yes,” I nod. “But enough of the pleasantries. Where’s my fucking wife?”

73

He’s born first, and he’s beautiful.

A full head of black hair, tiny little hands balled into fists, eyes the same colour as mine, and teeny-tiny little fangs.

Mariana remarks that he’s the most adorable, frightening thing she’s ever seen as she passes him out the door to her husband. In Adam’s big arms he looks like a doll, and from the doorway my brother gives me an incredulous look as he gazes from the baby and back to me. If I had to guess, I’d say he’s just as surprised as I am that his little sister is now a Mom.

“Are you ready to try again?” Marianna turns back smiling at me. “One more big push should do it.”

I shake my head. I don’t want my daughter to come out, not now, not ever. I want to shield her safely inside my womb just as she’s shielding me now from Viper’s reach.

But that can’t happen.

I look up and cry out as Yin runs into the room, her eyes huge and frightened.

I’ve never seen her look this way before. She’s supposed to be the strong one.

“Angie?” She asks, her voice wavering.

“Yin, thank God. I’m still me.”

Her shoulders slump, and she lets out a deep breath. I realise she has no idea what to expect when my mind’s taken over again. For all she knows I could become a homicidal killer. I’ve tried to prepare her, but even I don’t really know what will happen once Viper regains his control.

What I’ll do. What I’ll say.

But for now, I have my wits.

“Yin, listen, we don’t have time. I can’t hold her in much longer. We have to go with plan B. The moment she’s born you need to take her. Take her to the mountains. Get her far, far away.”

“No,” she growls. “I’ll wait here and kill him when he comes for you.”

I shake my head.

“He won’t come for me. He’ll send someone. It would be too obvious otherwise that he has a link to me. Please, Yin, you have to go.”

“I know, I know,” she squeezes my hand, “I’m so sorry that I didn’t try to kill Viper months ago. I shouldn’t have left it this long. I should have…”