Page 21 of Wicked Allure

“Me, too.” Tomesha couldn’t wait to see what the diner had to offer. She’d heard good things about it from a few of the servers at the club. Her small purse that rested against her hip had enough money to ensure they each could order what they wanted.

“Hey!” someone called out.

Tomesha swiveled toward the voice. Two men stood against the brick building nearest them. She stiffened at the sight of them. Their sinister grins caused her to go on guard. They were dressed as if they had just come from working in the local factory.

“Ignore them,” Tarek muttered behind them. He moved closer to her and folded his arms. He glared over at them while they waited to cross the street.

“I’m talking to you, girl. Don’t hide behind him. We just want to talk with you for a second,” one of the men called out.

“Leave her be,” Tarek snapped.

Tomesha reached out a hand and rested it on his forearm. His muscles were tensed as he continued to glare at the men.

“You ignore them,” she said softly.

He wasn’t even following his own advice. She gave a tight squeeze. The men were probably drunk and being assholes. She eyed them and had never seen them before.

“Come. The light has turned.”

The others who were waiting for the light began walking across the street.

“How you get time with the whore? We want a piece of her, too. Don’t be a cock-blocker,” the taller of the two said.

“What the fuck did you say?” Tarek growled.

Tomesha pulled Delonda back from the street. Tarek spun and stalked toward them. Tomesha released her grandmother and tried to tug her brother back from the men.

“Oh, did we touch a nerve? He must have feelings for her.” The second one laughed.

“She’s my sister and she’s not a whore,” Tarek shouted.

Trying to hold him back was like stopping a charging bull. Her feet slid on the stone sidewalk.

“Tarek. Let it go. It’s all right,” she cried out. She didn’t want her brother to get hurt at the expense of two drunken men shouting barbs at her. She’d admit it hurt, but she’d live with it. What she couldn’t live with was if her brother got hurt defending her, or even killed.

“What are you going to do? Defend her honor?” the taller of the two snapped.

“What honor? She’s a whore. She sells her body for the vampires. She’s too good to take a human cock?” The shorter one grabbed his junk and sent a wink her way.

“Get off me. Go back to Gran.” Tarek shook her hands off him.

“No. Come back. Ignore them!” she shouted.

Delonda arrived at her side as she dove for Tarek again.

“Stay back, my dear,” Delonda said.

“But Gran,” Tomesha cried.

Tears filled her eyes, and she watched her brother size up with both men. The second one moved behind him. Tears began to flow, and she wiped her face. She glanced around. Most of the pedestrians ignored the commotion.

“Someone, help!”

“What kind of man lets his sister whore herself out to the vampires?” The taller one was about the same height as Tarek. He poked his fingers into Tarek’s chest and pushed.

“Watch what you fucking say about my sister.” Tarek shoved the first man away from him.

Two black SUVs came to a screeching halt in the street near the curb. The back doors flew open, and men dressed in royal vampire uniforms stepped out. Tomesha recognized the uniforms immediately. The dark clothing, weapons, and the crest imprinted in blue on their chests spoke of the house of the middle vampire princess.