Chapter 27 #2
“It would be a win-win for us all,” Maria said. “You get your revenge, you get Alexander, and I–”
“You get the Damianos clan,” Tobias finished for her, studying Maria, who gave little away.
Her expressions were controlled, although there was no stopping the glittering in her eyes.
“I assume Alexander won’t take it. Given the chance, your brother would turn his back on it the first second he could. ”
“Exactly. He’s overprotective of me, though, so he won’t leave me here to do what needs to be done.
Your role is to get him away from here and keep him away until I tell you to come back.
” Maria stepped back so suddenly, Tobias almost left claw marks on the side of her dress.
“Perhaps we could discuss this another time. Your lover has returned.”
Tobias found Alexander at the other end of the room. He was leaning up against a pillar, studying him.
His skin was paler than it had been, his eyes ringed by deep purple shadows.
“What do I–” Tobias began, but by the time he turned around, Maria was gone.
Lost to the crowd, taking his secrets with her, leaving him with one of her own.
For the first time since falling for Alexander, Tobias felt like he had a plan again.
Control. All because he had a part to play in what he always desired, while selfishly taking Alexander as the grand prize.
Maybe it was true that what he’d needed all along was an ally who wanted to take Vladimir down as much as he did.
It all hinged on whether he truly could trust Maria or not.
And he knew, if he could somehow save Alexander from Vladimir, then when the truth finally came out, Alexander wouldn’t be anything but thankful for what Tobias had done.
Or so he hoped.
When Alexander took Tobias’ arm in his, there was no doubt that he was weak enough that Tobias was having to carry some of Alexander’s weight.
“You’ll feel much better after some fresh air,” Tobias said, although he knew that was far from the case.
Alexander needed time to recuperate after being drained by his father to the point that he’d been left nearly defenceless in a house full of vampires who probably wanted to kill him for his position in the Damianos family.
What made Tobias even sicker to imagine was that it was Vladimir who’d just done this to his son. And the look on Alexander’s face, the stern expression of focus and regret, proved he suffered from what had happened. “I only need you, Tobias.”
The words hurt to hear. Although Tobias replied with something innocuous like, “You’ve got me, darling,” what he longed to scream was how he’d save Alexander from this.
He would figure out how to keep Alexander away, and that would slowly weaken Vladimir until he was no longer a threat to anyone.
After getting to know Alexander, he didn’t imagine for a second that he’d willingly leave his sister to their father, knowing what type of monster he was. But Tobias would figure it out.
In the midst of his mental war, Tobias searched for Alexander’s room, which at least represented safety.
But he was lost in the maze of Rothburn.
He ended up walking them into a tiled room which was some extravagantly large bathroom.
Tobias immediately caught the pungent scent of fresh blood, stronger than it had been in the ballroom.
The room was lined with stone basins, each one full of blood.
It was everywhere, smeared across the slabbed floor in crimson rivers.
Vampires were bathing in the tubs, some were drinking from them, and others were having sex right out in the open.
Bloody handprints marred the white-tiled walls, leaving marks to show where a vampire had been fucked against them.
“I’ve experienced hundreds of my father’s balls and never have I ended the night in one of the orgies.” Alexander tried to straighten beside him, a drunken smile playing at his lips. “And yet this is exactly where I want to be, tonight, now that I’m with you.”
“We… should… get you to bed,” Tobias forced out, even though that was certainly not what he wanted.
He wanted to dip his mouth into a stone bath of blood and drink.
He wanted this nightmare to end, to just be able to be with Alexander without his father hanging over them like an executioner’s axe.
He wanted so much and deserved none of it.
“Come with me?” Alexander asked, his voice sleepy. His hands roamed over Tobias’ shoulders, easing the tension in his muscles. Alexander pressed into Tobias’ back, making it known that his cock was also hard as it jammed against Tobias’ lower spine. “Please.”
“No,” Tobias exhaled, allowing Alexander to tilt his neck and kiss it. Yes.
This was dangerous. Alexander would be starving after being drained, which meant his control was limited.
Tobias’ too. His fangs ached as sweat broke out across his skin with the self-control needed in the presence of so much fresh blood.
He didn’t know how he was going to get out of this room without giving into his deepest desires.
“Then tell me what you want?” Alexander asked against the skin of his neck. Teeth grazed skin, followed by the long lap of a tongue. “I want to hear you say it.”
Tobias spun around, putting his back to the blood-soaked orgy. He knew they were being watched as he felt eyes scour over him. “I want to get you somewhere safe. Help me get us back to your rooms, and then we can talk.”
“I can do that,” Alexander replied, slurring his words. “Good idea. I don’t want eyes upon your body when it belongs to me.”
Tobias breathed a sigh of relief as Alexander wobbled them back across Rothburn into the quiet of his wing.
“Now.” Alexander slammed the door closed, hungry eyes fixed on Tobias. “What were we saying about the bed, love?” He pulled them both into the bedroom, where he sat down on the bed, pale and gorgeous, a fallen angel.
“Touch yourself,” Tobias commanded, knuckles fisting tight. “I want to see you touch yourself.”
It was the only thing he trusted himself to allow right now.
Luckily, Alexander didn’t question it. Without taking his eyes off Tobias, Alexander popped the buttons of his trousers and pulled them down.
Alexander ran his hand up and down his cock, his eyes locked with Tobias’, heat coursing through both of them.
Tobias barely noticed the blood running down Alexander’s wrist, a stark reminder of what he’d suffered at his father’s hands.
“Come here, love,” Alexander said, quietly but firmly.