Blood Descendants (Vengeance and Venom #1)

Chapter 9

I was already nervous for today, but as I watch Ares pace from one end of the bathroom to the other, his thumb worrying over his lower lip for the tenth time, my pulse picks up speed.

Looking in the mirror, I return to my makeup. I dab on mascara, double checking the lip color, the rose on my cheeks, the eyeshadow. I’m wearing a black dress that hugs my body. My makeup matches, smokey and dangerous looking. Silver earrings fall in a cascade that nearly reaches my shoulders. I thought Ares and I should match.

Ares checks his phone, halting too abruptly to be human. He mutters something under his breath, too quiet for me to make out the words.

“Are you okay?” I ask finally. “Is something wrong?”

He looks up at me, and I see it all there in his eyes. He’s dreading this with every bone in his body. “Walking back into my father’s house wasn’t something I ever thought I’d do again. I kind of can’t believe I’m willingly walking back into the viper’s den.”

Shit. Something heavy and cold drops in my stomach.

Ares lets out a sigh that sounds a little more like a hiss and runs his hand through that gorgeous dark hair. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be saying anything, Vengeance. I know how to handle Augustus. It’s just kind of hitting me, the reality of taking you into his home, him laying eyes on you. The thought of the number of women he’s…”

“Hey,” I say, turning and stepping toward him. I cup either side of his face, bringing his gaze to mine. And my comfort level in doing it shocks me. A few days ago, I never would have so casually touched this vampire who looks like he runs the streets. And now? Well, it’s way too damn easy, considering it’s only been eight days since we met. “I’m a big girl. I literally teach women how to protect themselves from predators. And I know Augustus isn’t the same. But you’re going to be there next to me. And I still can’t figure out what the hell it means, but I trust you. You’ve got me?”

And my heart hammers out an ecstatic rhythm when Ares’ hands wrap around my waist, drawing me just a bit closer. “I’ve got you, Lana. I swear.”

I nod, swallowing down the feral cat wanting to stretch and nuzzle against his body. “And I’ve got you. I won’t leave any room for him to doubt us. I can promise you that.”

That hungry look that ignites in Ares’ eyes is starting to become familiar. He studies my eyes, then my lips. And I wonder if he’s looking forward to the show later, the same as I am.

I will never forget that perfect kiss atop the Rockefeller building. It’s forever seared into my being. And I have no qualms about a repeat.

“Thank you,” he says, and runs his thumb over my lower lip. Before I can do something stupid like lean in and bite his lip like I’m dying to, when there is no reason to put on a show, I turn away and grab my things from the bathroom counter.

“You’re welcome,” I say, sliding the strap of my purse over my shoulder. I reach out and take his hand. “Let’s go meet your mafia vamp father.”

The black SUV is waiting for us at the curb. Billings holds the door open for us, and I climb in first, Ares’ hand at my lower back. He follows in after me, and the driver shuts us inside.

“I’m meeting my new manager for training on Monday morning,” Ares says as we roll forward. “I’ll be in the office most of the day. Would you come with me in the morning? I’d like you to meet him.”

Ares and I have to integrate into every part of each other’s lives. The difficult part to grasp is the fact that it doesn’t feel hard or like a stretch at this point.

“Of course,” I answer with a nod. As I look over at Ares, a thought hits me hard. “Not going to lie, I’m having a really hard time picturing you in any kind of office, doing business like any other rich guy in this city,” I allow the words. But my eyes scrape over Ares, and they ring true.

That crooks a smile in one corner of his mouth. And I catch just a little glimpse of one of those pointed teeth.

Nope. That definitely wasn’t a little zing of thrill that went through me.

“Looks can be deceiving, Vengeance. We both know that by now.” And he reaches over and takes my hand. And I can’t help it when I study his own. There’s a silver ring around his middle finger, a snake eating its own tail, ouroboros. Beneath it, I note the ink.

“What do the runes mean?” I ask, running a finger over the complicated lines on his knuckles.

Ares is quiet for a moment, his gaze turning to the ink he chose to mark his body with forever. “Creator of my own fate,” he says softly. “I got that one while I was in Portland.”

During the time he was separating himself from Augustus.

“I think it’s my favorite,” I say without really thinking about the words.

“You’ve barely seen any of them, Vengeance,” Ares goads with a touch of a feral growl in his tone.

“We should probably fix that,” I say as my eyes rise up to meet his dark ones. “You know, for the sake of this.” Our fake relationship.

He holds my gaze, and I hate that the slightly cocky look in his eyes is turning me on. “Uh huh. For the sake of this.”

Every inch of me is set alive by electric fire.

Focus, Lana, I internally try to reason. Don’t forget why you’re doing this.

But that voice isn’t very clear or loud.

Just a few minutes later, the car stops at the curb. Billings climbs out and comes around to open Ares’ door. I climb out after him, taking his offered hand for help. I smooth my hand over my dress when I get out at the sidewalk, and Ares slides an arm around my waist.

Shit. I’m starting to like the feel of it way too much. It’s size. It’s heat. It’s intimacy.

A girl could get used to the touch of her fake fiancé.

While the Hunt House was borderline magical, Ares’ father’s house is exactly fitting of the image I have in mind for the man. It’s a brick building with black details. And it is covered in detail. From the stone lions to the moldings. The shutters, the arches. The balconies. The building stretches five stories high. And while it is attached to other buildings, it isn’t obvious. And this location? I can’t even imagine how one individual could ever, ever afford it.

Apparently, it fits within the budget of an immortal borderline mafiaesque vampire.

We set toward the massive black doors, but before we even reach them, a man steps out wearing a black suit and an obvious earpiece.

“Welcome back, Ares,” he says in a deep, rumbling voice. “Augustus is anxious to see you.”

Ares ignores the man’s words completely and walks in the doors, pulling me along at his side.

Just a few weeks ago, I couldn’t imagine setting foot in a building like this. Now, I live in one that is nearly as impressive. And my fake future sister-in-law lives in one as well and says I’m welcome over any time.

The walls are painted a deep blue that compliments the wood details that run underfoot and climb the walls. A modern chandelier overhead casts us in a dim glow. And straight ahead are floor-to-ceiling windows granting us the most beautiful view of the East River.

Another guard is waiting for us just inside. “Arms up,” he simply says, looking at me with heavy, dead eyes.

“Excuse me?” I ask doubtfully, arching an eyebrow at him.

“Weapons check,” he says simply.

“Watch your hands, or I’ll relieve you of them,” Ares snarls as he puts his arms up, and the man quickly pats him down .

I fix the guard with a look of pure hatred, and raise my arms.

He sweeps his hands down my back, over my hips. He sweeps one hand between my breasts in a cutting motion, and Ares growls in warning.

“Clear,” the guard says, unphased. He steps back, taking up his position by the front door with his hands clasped at his waist.

“Mr. Lonan is waiting for you upstairs,” the first guard says.

I take a moment to look around. And it feels like such a waste. Space comes at such a premium in this city. But as I look to the left and to the right, I find nearly identical wide hallways, each with a couch in it and a large variety of artwork on the walls. Nothing else. Nothing functional. This space is for receiving. For show. And nothing more.

The first guard walks up the stairs, and Ares and I follow after him. I realize as Ares takes the space in, observing every detail, that he’s never been here before. And then I remember Ares telling me that Augustus moves every few years, always claiming his latest real estate conquest.

What would it be like? To have more money than some small countries?

With my hand gripped firmly in Ares’, we step off on the third floor. Here, there is another guard waiting down the hall we walk. And then our guard pushes a door open, extending a hand toward it.

The set of Ares’ shoulders is stiff. And his grip on my hand is starting to get painful. The muscles in his jaw twitch.

But his gaze is steely as he takes one breath. And then we cross the threshold together .

We enter into an office, and for a moment, I almost feel blind, it’s so dimly lit. There is only sconce lighting, glowing dimly on the walls. And these walls are lined with bookcases, their shelves filled with books, antiques, pictures. There’s even a skull right there.

A window dominates the back wall, and it gives us a glittering view of the dark horizon. And in the center, a huge desk dominates the space. Before it, there are two chairs that look like they cost more than I make in a year.

There, stepping around the desk is a man who fits exactly as I imagined him.

His eyes are dark, the exact same shade as Ares’. His hair is the same shade as well, though this man’s is combed back, a look that is old and modern at the same time. But while Ares’ face is clean-shaven, this man’s jaw is hugged by a neatly trimmed beard.

I wouldn’t immediately pick them out as father and son if I didn’t know, but I can see it.

“My son,” the man says. His tone is calm, his voice doesn’t rise. But he sounds pleased, happy. He walks right up to Ares and wraps his arms around him, though it looks more like a power move than a gesture of affection. “Welcome back.”

“It’s been a minute,” Ares says, his voice nearly monotone. He’s using so much control right now, I’m exhausted just watching this interaction. “Father, I’d like to introduce you to my fiancée, Lana Kincade.”

“Lana,” the man says as he releases Ares and turns to me. His gaze drops down the length of me, and my skin crawls. From what Ares has told me, this man sleeps around. A lot. All with the intent of creating more children who will one day be vampires, just like him. The man steps toward me, and I extend a hand before he can try to hug me. He smirks at my assertiveness but takes my hand, shaking it softly, which actually creeps me the fuck out. “Augustus Lonan. It’s lovely to meet you.”

It takes every ounce of my strength not to yank my hand away when he raises it and presses a kiss to the back of my knuckles. “You as well.”

Lies.

“Come,” Augustus says. He extends a hand to the door and walks out, turning down the hall. I cast one look at Ares, who looks about as ready to snap as I feel, but we make our way down the hall after the man who created him.

Augustus leads the way into a gorgeous living room. A massive fireplace dominates the space, a white marble mantle framing the fixture. Black walls stretch high above, and the millwork detail is impressive. There isn’t one chandelier, but four overhead. Soft leather couches frame the space, and a stupidly white rug is laid out in the middle.

It looks just like the lair of a rich mafia vampire.

“Forgive my curiosity,” Augustus says as he takes a seat on one of the couches. He spreads his arms over the back, taking up space. He crosses one ankle over the opposite knee. “But my son hasn’t given me any details about you. Simply a phone call that he was engaged and he wanted to have a meeting.”

“Ask away,” I say, feigning confidence as Ares and I sink onto the couch opposite him. Ares stretches a hand behind me, draped casually over my shoulders. I cross my legs, and he rests his free hand on my bare knee. I lace my fingers through his.

“I’ll preface this conversation by letting you know that I’ve looked into you,” Augustus says with no apologies. And my stomach drops for a moment. We’ve prepared for this, I silently remind myself. This is exactly why Ares and I have taken an entire week getting to know one another, briefing on what is to come.

“Can’t say I’m surprised,” I answer. “I’m dying to know if you’ve found anything interesting.”

Augustus raises an eyebrow at that, looking slightly impressed that I’m not freaking the fuck out. “You’re a surprise, Lana Kincade. Not like most of the women in this city. But you are exactly what I might have dared envision for my son.”

“I’ll take the compliment, but you haven’t really answered my question,” I state, raising my own eyebrow.

The man chuckles, and I can see how it wouldn’t be hard for him to convince a slew of women to sleep with him. His eyes dance when he smiles. With danger, but still. They dance. “Well, you were born here in Manhattan. Your parents had a decree of divorcement when you were five years old, just one year after your sister Emmie was born.”

Details. The man has details that even Ares doesn’t know yet. He barely knows my sister died. I haven’t told him her name yet.

“You’re nailing the basics so far,” I goad, knowing I probably shouldn’t. Yet I can’t help it. The man screams predator, and he is exactly the kind of reason why I took my focus into teaching self-defense to women.

The look in his eyes darkens as he recognizes the challenge. “Your grades through elementary and middle school were exceptional. And then your mother and sister were killed. The police report…” he shakes his head, and my grip on Ares’ hand tightens. I hear the faintest growl rumble in his chest. His entire body tightens around me, every motion protective. “Fu cking brutal. Can’t imagine what finding that would do to a fifteen-year-old.”

More details I’ve yet to share with Ares. And his grip on my knee tightens.

“Fuck up her grades for the rest of high school,” I say coolly. I’m not letting Augustus get under my skin. He’s testing me right now, and I will not let him make me fail. “Bring on weekly therapy for three years. Give her some brutal nightmares. But you already knew this.”

Augustus looks at me, his eyes evaluating me and every word I say, every reaction I give. Finally, he nods. “I commend you for graduating high school, though. I’m sure it wasn’t easy. And your father? He must have had quite the strength of character. Losing a daughter like that. I’m sorry you lost him as well.”

“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right?” I say evenly, though, in reality, I’d like to give this man a quick punch to the throat, a ball-crushing kick to the junk, lay him out face down, and make him bleed all over his white rug.

A woman walks into the room holding a tray of hors d’oeuvres. She sets them on the coffee table in the center of the room. And then reality starts closing in, the literal fact of what these men in this room are. She walks straight to Augustus and offers him her arm.

“You’re a gem, Heather,” he says with a soft smile. He takes her hand, drawing her closer, and I get half a second view of his fangs lengthening and black veins sprouting from his suddenly glowing red eyes.

Those fangs disappear into her wrist. And Heather goes eerily still. The look in her eyes goes out of focus.

Exactly like I saw at that party where this all began .

Augustus takes eight long pulls, and then he licks over the spot where he bit her, sparing me from having to see any blood.

“Son?” Augustus offers, literally holding the woman’s arm in Ares’ direction.

“I’m good,” Ares says, his tone hard and cold.

“Thank you, Heather,” Augustus says, looking up at the woman as she slowly comes back to herself. “Would you send in some white wine, perhaps?”

“I don’t drink,” I pipe up because there’s not a chance in hell I’m going to let my inhibitions be hindered around this man. “Health nut, remember? The benefits do not outweigh the cons for it to hold any interest for me.”

“Fair enough,” he says, dismissing the poor woman. “You have rave reviews online for your instruction.”

I nod. I’m aware I have a great reputation.

“Yet what I can’t find any trace of is your relationship with my son,” Augustus says, his eyes darkening.

“Have you ever been in love, Mr. Lonan?” I ask, narrowing my eyes at him slightly, leaning forward in my seat.

Ares’ grip on my hand tightens slightly, maybe a warning to not push this man too far.

“Love is relative,” he says, giving me that little smile that makes me want to hurt him. “I’ve loved many, many women in many, many levels of variance.”

I shake my head. “Have you ever had that magnetic pull to a person? Have you ever wanted to keep them a secret, keep them all to yourself, so you don’t have to share an ounce of what you have with the public? Have you ever had them wrap themselves around your soul, altering it into a new version of yourself that you never knew you wanted?”

Augustus studies me with every word I speak. Serious, dark, contemplative. He watches me, his gaze studying every bit of my body language.

But he doesn’t answer me, which gives me my answer.

“When you’ve been fucked over by the world too many times in your life, you don’t really give a damn to invite it into your new, perfect world. I’m happy to keep Ares to myself until the end of fucking days.”

Ares’ hand tightens around mine again, and I swear the heat rising off of him has risen a few degrees.

Guess I can be a good actress when needed.

It helps that all this vile energy is surging through me sitting in the presence of this man.

“You should know better than anyone that I’m careful not to leave a footprint online,” Ares says, speaking up for the first time in so long. “Lana and I started talking online. A dark, bitter soul knows another dark, bitter soul. Lana doesn’t trust anyone. And I know what this world is like. So, we didn’t meet in person for six months. But the moment I laid eyes on her in the real world…”

His eyes lock on mine, and the look in them deepens. In them, I see possession. Claiming. Hunger. Desire. I might be on my A game right now with this show, but Ares still puts me to shame.

“I knew I was going to ask her to marry me right then and there, but I figured I’d better wait a few weeks so she wouldn’t run,” he continues, studying every inch of my face. The way his words hit me right in the core… I should be embarrassed. “But it all lined up perfectly.”

I smile, caressing a hand to his cheek. And it’s a problem that my body can’t lie. Electricity races through every pathway in my body .

“Congratulations,” Augustus says darkly. My contentment pops at his voice. I look back over at him to find his gaze darkened, and something very close to a disgusted sneer is on his lips. “You look very happy.”

Look. That word makes me nervous. What if Ares and I aren’t as good as I think we are at selling this?

“Have you set a date?” Augustus asks, and my face goes cold.

We haven’t discussed that.

“We’re thinking May next year,” Ares lies smoothly. At least one of us is good on the spot. “But we haven’t nailed it down yet. There are a few things to factor in.”

“Which are?” Augustus encourages, sounding slightly bored and annoyed.

“Considering what drove us apart before, I thought you and I could talk things through. Now that I’ve found my match,” Ares says, steering the conversation expertly. “We’re hoping for a positive pregnancy test any day.”

Augustus’ eyebrows raise at that, and finally, finally, he looks… happy.

“So,” Ares says, cutting him off from saying anything else. “I thought it high time we smooth things out. I’ve got some ideas for the company I’d really like to discuss.”

A slow smile pulls on Augustus’ lips, and my heart picks up pace.

We’ve done it. I see it written all over his face.

Ares is back in.

“Then let’s talk business,” Augustus says. He rises to his feet, smoothing his sports jacket. “Lana, you’re free to explore the mansion. It’s a historical treasure that should be appreciated. ”

The rest of the night is between me and my son , the message comes across clear as day.

Ares leans over and presses a kiss to my temple. I offer him a tiny smile as he stands, watching the gorgeous view as he walks away with his father back toward the office.

I lean forward and take one of the hors d’oeuvres left on the coffee table. Of course, it’s one of the best tasting things I’ve ever put in my mouth. I can only imagine how much Augustus pays his cook. I take another, knowing I’m killing a bit of time. Even though Augustus gave me the invitation to look around the mansion, I don’t need to look suspicious by immediately looking through every drawer and under every surface for hidden door buttons.

Ares was at the Red party because he wanted to figure out why his father was hosting and holding the parties. Augustus is in real estate. He’s not an entertainer. He’s not trying to draw in clients by hosting parties where vampires feed on humans who, for the most part, don’t know what the purpose of the Red parties is.

Ares wanted to know why his father was doing this.

And my best friend had disappeared after attending one of those Red parties.

I climb to my feet and circle the living room, looking over every surface, every nook, every doorway.

Do I expect Augustus is hiding Ophelia in some dark corner of his home? No. This man is smart, conniving even. The feeling of darkness that comes right off the man is enough to set my teeth on edge. But there’s no way he’d be so lazy as to take someone to his own home.

All this, operating under the assumption Ophelia is even still alive .

I don’t know what sick shit Augustus or his people are into.

But I’m going to hold out hope that Ophelia is fine until I see evidence to the contrary.

I wander into a grand dining room that even puts the one at Hunt House to shame. There’s a table that could host an entire boardroom of people. The detail work in the ceiling and rising the wall is dizzying. It’s nearly like a modern cathedral in here. Along the walls, there are paintings, photographs of old buildings around Manhattan, and there’s even a set of swords on display.

Beyond the dining room, I find a kitchen. But with the chef and his assistant busy at work preparing our dinner, I don’t get the chance to explore the place. Not much lost. It looks like a commercial kitchen. A beautiful one, but still sterile.

Down the hall, beyond Augustus’ office, is a guest bedroom with an attached bathroom. Beyond screaming wealth, there’s nothing of note. So, I take the stairs, rising up another floor.

Here, I find four other bedrooms, all of them look completely unoccupied. They look almost exactly like the one on the floor below. And I find no evidence of secret spaces or hidden doors. Again, not that I’m truly expecting to, but these are actual damn vampires I’m dealing with.

At the very end of the hall, I find the last bedroom. And I might not have the keen sense of smell Ares does, but even I can detect the scent of Augustus in here. Like money and coal and pine.

Looking over my shoulder, I find the floor still empty. I step inside.

The bed is made. The carpet has recently been vacuumed. The housekeeper has rid every surface of dust. His nightstand is free of any clutter, and even though I’m dying to look through it, I’m not that stupid. We have to play this carefully, and if I go jumping in too suspiciously, it will blow everything.

The only thing of note is that on one of the bookcases, there is a line of nine picture frames. Ares occupies the first, a picture of him when he was just a teenager. I smile as I walk up to it. He looks so, so much younger and so much more innocent. His neck is completely free of tattoos. And while his ears were already pierced, the hoop in his nose is missing. But there’s something different about his eyes. They seem heavier. Darker.

I remember that this would be the time when Augustus was training Ares to be a part of the company when he was grooming Ares to be his predecessor, his little clone.

And I realize the miracle it is that Ares is the man he is, instead of just a younger version of his father.

My eyes slide over to the next frame, and I see another boy, one who looks to be about sixteen years old. He shares similar features to Ares, but his hair is much lighter, his eyes blue instead of hazel.

Beside the boy, there is a picture of a girl who looks around thirteen. Another girl after her, maybe twelve or so.

Five boys. Four girls.

Cold goosebumps flash over my skin when I realize these are all Augustus’ children.

And Ares and I are pretending to be trying for a baby, a child to add to this sick brood of power and influence on the city. Augustus is trying to increase the vampire population in the city to build sway .

To what end? The thought makes me shiver.

I turn, and finding nothing else of note in Augustus’ room, I wander back to the stairs. I ascend them to a door that lets out onto a gorgeous rooftop deck. And wonder and beauty prickle along my skin.

The view over the river is beautiful. Lights dance and sparkle in the dark. Behind me, the city rises to overwhelmingly tall heights. There are so many recognizable monuments.

Twinkle lights are strung along the railing. Centered in the massive space is a dining table that’s surprisingly intimate and cozy, with seating for only six. But I wander to the two seats set up near the railing, looking out over the river. I rub my hands over my arms, chilled in the mid-June air, considering my dress is sleeveless.

Where are you, Ophelia? I silently wonder as I stare out at the darkness. Shit. I hope she’s okay. I pray she’s alive.

After my mother and sister were killed, my whole life became really small. I had to keep it simple. Because no one understood. I was just the sad girl with a sad story. So, I didn’t have many friends. No one could carry the weight that was Lana Kincade’s reality. And I didn’t blame them. But it left me lonely.

But then there was Ophelia. I recognized something in her eyes when she walked into my self-defense class that evening eighteen months ago. She’d been through something dark and heavy, too. She was angry like I was. She was cold, like I was. And she didn’t give a damn if people didn’t like her, just like me.

After class, I asked her if she wanted to go out for pasta. We’d talked for three hours that night, laughing, getting angry, talking shit. And it was the first time I’d shared a genuine connection with someone who wasn’t my own blood.

It would have been kind of nice if we were gay. Loving Ophelia was instant. But I’d never been into women, and though Ophelia admitted she’d experimented, she preferred men when it came to romance.

She became the most important person in the world to me.

And then five weeks ago, nothing.

Not a word.

Not a text.

Not a trace of where she’d gone.

I’m going to find you, I silently promise her.

My head jerks toward the door when I hear a slight squeal. Augustus emerges first, followed by Ares.

I try to read his expression to gauge the conversation they’ve just had. But Ares’ face is carefully composed, as neutral as it could get.

He crosses to where I sit and leans over me. And there’s that heat in his eyes as he slides his hand around the front of my throat, tipping my head up. He kisses me upside down. Heat sears me where his hand caresses me softly. The breath is lost in my lungs as his mouth molds to mine. And I melt when his tongue asks for permission to enter. And I grant it. He invades my mouth, just slightly, teasing, tempting.

I answer him with vigor that has very little to do with Augustus watching. Every drop of blood in my body screams for Ares, and my body acts without permission. My brain would grant it anyway.

And shit. I know I’m in trouble.

Because this is supposed to be fake .

But the way I like this, the way I react, the way I fantasize about these moments, none of it feels fake.

Ares backs away just slightly, running his thumb over the side of my throat. “Fuck, you taste like nirvana.”

Buried six feet deep. Here lies Lana’s soul, snatched from her chest on the fourteenth of June by a man with tattooed hands and chaos in his eyes.

“Dinner is served,” another voice calls from the center of the deck. I glance over to see the chef and the assistant setting numerous dishes on the table.

Ares takes my hand, holding my eyes with something that looks a bit like a question. But he leads me to that table, pulling my chair out for me as I sit.

“I don’t wish to put pressure on you, Lana,” Augustus says as he begins dishing his food. “But as a part of this company, Ares will be expected at a number of events. It certainly leaves the right impression if his fiancée is in attendance with him.”

“I’ve seen the way other women look at my future husband,” I say as I accept the glass Ares pours for me. “I fully admit that I am the jealous type. So, if he’s going to be where others can lay eyes on him, I’ll be there too, rest assured, Mr. Lonan.”

Beneath the table, Ares’ hand comes to my thigh, smoothing it over my skin in a way that sends a shock straight to the core of my feminine body.

Augustus’ eyes fix on where Ares’ hand disappears under the table. And I think, for the first time, we’ve caught him at a loss for words.

“At least you seem able to hold your own,” he finally says, taking a drink from his own glass.

Dinner passes with very little real conversation. Mentions of the work to come for Ares. Comments about our future children. Thinly veiled digs at my humble beginnings.

But it’s nothing I can’t handle.

Finally, at the end of the meal, I lay my napkin on the table. “I need to use the rest room.”

“Then my son can help clear the table with me,” Augustus says, standing and beginning to stack the plates, much to my surprise.

I simply give a nod and catch Ares’ eyes for a moment. He’s every bit on guard as he was earlier, but he tips his chin up at me, and I cross to the door.

I find the only publicly accessible bathroom on the top floor. I take care of business, wash my hands, and observe myself in the mirror.

I’m pretty damn proud of myself for holding up the way I have. I’m facing down a damn vampire. One who is most definitely involved in shady things. One his own son described as borderline mafia status. And that determination in my eyes is one of my greatest accomplishments in life.

Just a few more minutes , I internally tell myself.

I twist open the doorknob, but before I can step out, Augustus fills the doorframe.

He takes a step forward, forcing me to take a step back. With his dark eyes fixed on me, he crosses the threshold and pulls the door to the bathroom closed behind him, locking it.

“What—”

“You’re an impressive woman, Lana Kincade,” he cuts me off, his gaze absolutely focused. He’s studying my face, memorizing every line and plane. “I’ve been pushing you the entire night, and you haven’t tripped once.”

He takes a step forward, and I take a matching one back .

“My son is impressive in his own right,” Augustus says, looking me over like a predator. “But you need to understand the difference between rich and wealthy. The financial difference between my son and myself is vast. The power and influence we hold on this city isn’t even a comparison.”

“Why are you saying these things, Mr. Lonan?” I ask. My throat feels tight. Sweat breaks out over my skin.

Any normal man and I’d be confident I could fend him off. Enough to get myself out of this tight situation.

But Augustus is a damn vampire.

He could take me straight to the floor. Pin me down. Do whatever he wants to me. Or he could just sink his fangs into my neck and drain me dry. Dead. No more Lana.

“Because I want to make you a different kind of proposal, Lana,” Augustus says. He takes another step forward, and finally, I run out of space. With a step backward, my ass hits the edge of the counter. “I have no interest in marriage like my son. But bear me another child, and I will set you up for the rest of your mortal life. Here in this house, preferably. But anywhere you like. So long as you show up to those events I mentioned and stay on my arm. Spit that venom you’re so good at. I can make you a very comfortable woman, Lana.”

My mouth opens, but no words come out.

The fuck?

Augustus wants me to bear him a child? In exchange for being, what? His kept girlfriend? His incubator put up in a shiny tower?

I might be at a physical disadvantage here, but I’d bet there’s one aspect where a vampire shares weakness with a human man .

My hand darts forward, and through his pants, I fist Augustus’ balls, giving them a vice-like squeeze and twist.

He lets out a wheeze and caves forward, catching himself with a flung-out hand on the counter.

“That would be a fuck no ,” I say through clenched teeth. “And you look at me like that again, you proposition me once more, you insult your son like this ever again, and I’ll make sure you never make another single heir.”

For good measure, I squeeze harder, letting my fingernails dig into his tender flesh.

I shove past him, leaving him hunched over at the counter, unlock the door, and step out into the hall.

Just then, Ares walks up the stairs, on his way to get another load of dishes.

“It’s time to go, darling,” I say, catching his hand and turning him as I head down the stairs.

Ares’ brow furrows at me for a second, and he casts a look over his shoulder, but Augustus, clutching his genitals in pain, is just out of his sight.

He lets me drag him down the stairs and doesn’t say a word as we walk out the front door. There, the black SUV waits, Billings in the driver’s seat. He scrambles out, opening the door for the two of us.

“What happened?” Ares asks the moment we’re seated and pull out onto the road.

I grit my teeth, shaking my head, as I look out at the dark night. “Your father tried to proposition me,” I say without looking at him. “Asked me to be his arm candy. Give him another child. Said he’d make me very comfortable in exchange. ”

“Shit,” Ares growls, his hand going to the handle of the door, every muscle in his body coiling.

My hand flies out, laying it on Ares’ arm. “Don’t,” I say firmly. “It was slimy, but I took care of it.”

Ares’ dark eyes slide back over to meet mine. “Took care of it. You’re capable, Lana, but Augustus is?—”

“Vampire men have the same weak spot as human men,” I cut him off, a smirk curling my lips.

“You…” Ares struggles for words. “Damn.” A chuckle rumbles in his chest, and in the dark, his teeth glow white as snow as the second smile I’ve ever seen takes over his face. “I couldn’t have dreamed you up more perfect if I tried, Vengeance.”