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Tension hung in the air. My every muscle was primed for violence. Lonzo’s eyes only left Chanel’s face when he was undressing her with his eyes. I couldn’t wait to kill him once and for all. The mention of truce was always fiction. It was a thin veneer of civility stretched over mutual hatred.

I was done with all the talking. “Teresa, do you ever shut up?”

“Let’s make a deal. Give me the nurse.”

“Never.”

Teresa licked her lips and let her eyes trail down my body. “Do you have a noise maker on your hip? Guns don’t work on vampires. None of my people are humans.”

I wanted to say something, but I was confused. Was this a trick? Layla. Layla. Layla. Did she tell…

Wait. Layla saw my security officers with guns, but I never told her what the gun was used for.

Cripo Glocks resembled regular 9mm Glocks.

The guns were classified weapons. Only a few of my people knew their true function.

Layla wasn’t a part of my security team.

She wasn’t privy to anything regarding this weapon or any of the previous prototypes.

The possibility existed that Layla never shared this intel because she didn’t know anything about this invention.

“We have to keep up appearances. Security guards carry guns.”

Teresa shook her head. “Appearances, ha. You always want to fit in with the humans.”

“And you have no regard for them.”

“I murdered a few Chanel Taylors and one friend of the group.” Teresa scowled at Morgan. “And you won’t let me forget it. Here’s the thing. Lonzo is pissed that you killed his sister. He wants two of your people and I have to agree. It’s only fair.”

“Fuck you.” I pointed to Teresa. “And fuck you.” I pointed to Lonzo. He didn’t like what I said, and he took a step toward me. He stopped when Teresa raised her arm and nudged him in the chest.

“Give us Chanel and Morgan and there will be no violence.” Teresa requested.

“Never. Fuck off. You can’t have them.”

My signal was subtle. I took Chanel’s hand in mine and that was the cue.

Only my people knew it was a sign to get active.

Harlen lunged forward with a snarl that sounded more animal than human.

From beneath his jacket, he was a fast draw with his Cripo Glock.

Teresa’s vampires moved in for the battle.

Suddenly, the quiet shoreline erupted into chaos.

“Get down!” I shoved Chanel behind me. My body became her shield as the first gunshots blow through the air. I didn’t know where the bullet came from. I did see one of Teresa’s female guards fall immediately.

The paralytic serum hit her skin, and she went down with a loud thumb.

One down and four to go. Another one of her people returned fire with a conventional weapon.

It was useless against vampires, but deadly to Chanel.

And that was exactly where they were aiming.

Their bullets ricocheted off my armored truck.

I ducked down, pulling Chanel with me behind the rear of the SUV.

“Stay here.” I commanded.

I had my Cripo Glock in my hands. I didn’t want to leave Chanel, but it was time I joined the fight.

Chanel nodded, and I left her in a crouching position.

I wrapped my hand around my weapon with practiced ease.

I scrambled my way to the front of the truck.

Morgan had joined Harlen, her newfound vampire strength apparent as she tackled one of Teresa’s remaining guards.

They rolled across the rocky beach. A blur of limbs and fanged snarls were exchanged before Morgan pinned her rival with surprising efficiency.

Her time with Harlen had clearly included combat training.

The guard’s head snapped back with the impact of her fist. Morgan reached for her weapon when the movement to my left demanded my immediate attention.

Lonzo had broken away from the main conflict.

He sprinted with vampire speed toward the road that ran parallel to the shoreline.

Natasha spotted him too, signaling to Donte with a sharp gesture before both of them gave chase.

They ran fast after Lonzo, and they soon disappeared across the landscape.

Two of my people were predators in deadly pursuit.

I scanned the area for Teresa. I spotted her backing toward the water.

The coward, she was trying to flee. Her black outfit was ripped where Josh tussled with her.

Her expression had lost its smugness. It was replaced by something closer to panic and desperation as she realized Lonzo had run off and abandoned her and her guards were falling. Her plan was unraveling.

“Josh!” I called, and my driver materialized at my side. “Protect Chanel. I’m going after Teresa.”

Harlen and Morgan could handle the one female vamp they were fighting with. I needed to go after Teresa. There was no way I would let her get away, and she was retreating to the boat. I couldn’t let that happen.

Before I could move, an almost silent gunshot rang out from the direction Lonzo fled. I turned to see Natasha and Donte in pursuit. They were running down Lake Shore Drive with their Cripo Glocks raised, but missing their mark as Lonzo wove in and out of the early morning traffic on the expressway.

Even from this distance, I can see Donte and Natasha struggling to keep up with him while they had to dodge moving cars. I couldn’t watch much longer. I had to go after Teresa. Lonzo disappeared among the vehicles, his escape all but assured.

A scream pulled my attention back to the battle that was only a few yards away.

One of Teresa’s vampires was frozen on the ground, hit with the serum for the Cripo Glock.

The other nameless male vamp was engaged with Marco and two of my security team members.

The guy was outmatched, but fighting with the desperation of someone who knew defeat meant death.

Teresa herself was cornered now. She was backed against the water’s edge, with Harlen and Morgan approaching from both sides while I approached up the center.

Teresa’s eyes darted frantically. She was searching for escape routes and finding none.

Jumping back on the boat was no longer an option.

Harlen and Morgan had the vessel blocked.

Teresa reached inside her leather jacket, perhaps for a weapon, but Morgan moved with blinding speed. She slammed into Teresa with enough force to send them both sprawling onto the wet rocks at the shoreline.

“You remember me?” Morgan snarled, pinning Teresa beneath her. Her pale vampire face contorted with rage. Her glowing gray eyes flashed bright like the moon. “You threw me off a balcony. You fucking bitch!”

Teresa struggled, but Morgan’s vampire strength was fueled by vengeance.

Morgan punched Teresa repeatedly in her face with the platinum brass knuckles that Natasha designed.

Every punch cut into Teresa’s skin and oozed blood.

This new weapon didn’t allow for instant healing.

Teresa’s face was gushing blood that seeped into her blonde hair, changing the color to cherry red.

“It, it wasn’t personal.” Teresa choked and spat the words out while blood trickled from the corner of her mouth.

“But this is personal.” Morgan growled. Harlen approached and aimed his Cripo gun at Teresa’s heart. He shot her twice, although only one serum filled bullet was needed to immobilize her. Morgan crawled off of Teresa’s body.

I made my way over to the tree where Marco had now subdued the last of Teresa’s vampires. They were already lifting her body and placing it in the back of the truck. We had taken everyone down except for Lonzo. I hoped he was down too, and I would get word soon from Natasha.

I looked back at Chanel, who was safely standing with Josh. I walked back over to my brother and Morgan. They were still standing over the lifeless body of my ex. Teresa’s eyes found mine as I glared down at her.

“Zand.” Teresa’s muffled voice startled us. Her body wasn’t moving, but somehow, she could speak. We all looked at each other, confused by the sound of her voice. “Please.” We watched her say a second word.

“Do you want us to load her into the truck?” Harlen asked.

I thought about it. “No.” I glared down at Teresa. “No, let her burn.”

The threat was now given as an order. Harlen looked over at me to make sure I meant it. I did. I nodded to Harlen, who took a step forward.

Teresa’s eyes widened, real panic flooding her features. “Zand, please—” she mumbled.

Harlen reached into his pocket and produced a silver lighter, the flame dancing in the pre-dawn breeze. From his other pocket came a small flask that he uncaps with his teeth before pouring its contents over Teresa’s immobilized form. The smell of accelerant filled the air.

“This is for Morgan.” Harlen said and looked over at Morgan. He handed the lighter over to his girl.

“Burn in hell, bitch.” Morgan cursed. She simply flicked the flame on and dropped the lighter on Teresa’s body.

The flames ignited instantly. The fire engulfed Teresa in a blue-white fire that reflected off the dark water of the lake.

Her eyes remained open. She was aware as the fire consumed her.

The paralytic serum prevented her from thrashing or screaming.

The awareness in her gaze told us she felt everything as the flames slowly reduced her body to ash.

Morgan stepped back, watching with grim satisfaction.

Josh approached me. “Boss, we have the other three vamps secured in the trucks.”

“Good. Tell Marco to take them to the Crema. The police and fire department should be here soon.”

I watched Josh walk over to Marco and my remaining men to convey my message. My security staff piled into one of the trucks and peeled off the path that led to the main street.

Josh was back at my side. “Boss, Natasha reports that Lonzo escaped.” He informed me quietly. “He made it to the expressway and disappeared in traffic. They’re still searching, but...”

I nodded, understanding the implication. The city offered countless hiding places for a vampire, especially one with Teresa’s guidance still fresh in his mind. Lonzo is gone, at least for now.

I needed to head back to Chanel, who stood next to the SUV. As I approached, her eyes were transfixed on Teresa’s burning remains.

“Is it over?” She asked as I reached her side.

“Part of it.” I answered honestly, securing my gun in my holster. “Teresa is finished. But Lonzo escaped.”

Chanel stiffened. “He’s a vampire now.”

“Yes.” There’s no point in softening the truth. “A new one, poorly trained, but dangerous nonetheless.”

We stood together, watching as Teresa’s remains collapsed into embers and ash.

“We should go.” I murmured.

Chanel nodded, but made no move to leave.

Her eyes were still fixed on the smoldering remains of Teresa.

She was gone, reduced to ash that will soon scatter across the lake’s surface.

But Lonzo lived or existed as a vamp. Now he carried all of his malice and vengeful nature with enhanced with vampire abilities.

“It’s not over.” I admitted.

I realized that my son was missing. “Josh, did Natasha mention Donté? Is he with her?”

“She didn’t mention him. I’ll send her a message.”

“Yes, do that.”

Where was Donté? Did Lonzo take him? Did Lonzo kill him?

A slight panic set in. I was sure he was okay, or I hoped that he was.

I wanted to call him, but I couldn’t. If Lonzo had him, that meant I couldn’t call and alert Lonzo that Donté had a cell phone on him.

All I could do was wait as the fire burned down to nothing.

Behind us, Teresa’s ashes mingled with the stones and sand, her existence reduced to dust. Ahead of us was an uncertain future, with Lonzo’s escape casting a shadow over our victory.

But for now, I allowed myself to feel the weight of one enemy vanquished, one more threat neutralized. Teresa would never again threaten what’s mine. And when Lonzo made his next move, as he inevitably would, we would be ready.

The game had changed, but the stakes remained the same. Chanel’s safety, my kingdom, and our future together, had to be secured. And for those I loved, there was no price too high, no enemy I wouldn’t destroy.