by Ginna Moran
“It would be more beneficial for Gwen’s contract to go to me. As our coven leader and hopefully a new board member, I can use my influence to persuade the board to change and create laws that would protect and benefit our girl.” Bronx tightens his jaw. “I think it’s already what the board expects. First in line usually takes the contract.”
Jameson flashes his fangs. “Just because it’s what they expect doesn’t mean anything. You piss off Gwen more often than not. You do things she doesn’t agree with. You—”
Bronx growls. “You put her life in danger all the time, Jameson. One of the stipulations is to guarantee protection.”
“He’s right, brother,” Everett says. “Gwen almost died on your watch.”
“Have you forgotten she was kidnapped on yours?” Mikkalo says, narrowing his eyes.
Ah hell.
I try to push against Mikkalo and Everett’s chests as they close in to get into each other’s faces. “Guys, please.”
Everett reaches over me and nudges Mikkalo with his fist. “You threatened to murder her, Mik.”
“I thought she was—”
Jameson flicks his other shoulder. “That’s no excuse. You took things into your own hands without even informing us. Had I not intervened, you’d have made a huge fucking mistake.”
The heat of their sudden anger as they throw mistakes and accidents involving me in each other’s faces burns through me. I try to break out of their circle, their throaty, angry voices spitting out incoherent words with their fury. My fear instincts blare like crazy, my mind begging my body to get the hell out of the middle of them, but it’s like I’m caged between four solid walls.
“There’s no fucking way I’ll agree to that,” Mikkalo says.
I miss part of their conversation, my head pounding, my heart racing wildly. Closing my eyes, I try to ignore their comments to each other. Every time they mention something terrible they think one of them is responsible for, it cuts deeply in me. Because none of them are responsible. Not for Zaire trying to bite me, not for the outcasts trying to claim me. None of them is responsible for Mr. Bevaldi’s actions, Corona’s, Kyler’s, and the Barons. Yet somehow, they each manage to push the events toward each other.
I can’t take it anymore.
Flinging out my hands, I smack all of them across their chests, finally getting them to take a step back. I gasp a breath of air like their closeness suffocates me. And maybe it does. How they can suddenly fight each other after everything we’ve been through squeezes my heart.
I drop to the floor and curl my knees to my chest. Everyone freezes, their anger turning to worry as they look at me. I ignore them and rest my chin on my knees. I never wanted this to happen. It’s why I didn’t want to choose.
“You guys promised I wouldn’t get between you,” I manage to say, my voice barely sounding over a whisper.
Silence falls between the four of them. I don’t look up and wait for them to get their shit together. Jameson kneels beside me first and engulfs me in a seriously good hug that I savor, feeling his love.
“I’m sorry, Gigi. What I said...it was bullshit. I know. I just love you so much that I can’t help myself sometimes.” He kisses my temple and pulls me to him until I sit between his legs, facing him. “I want your contract—like really fucking want it—but you’re right. I made you a promise, and I intend to keep it. Your love and affection are enough for me. I don’t need to have a piece of meaningless paper.”
I release a relieved breath and lean in to brush my lips to his. “Thank you. And that’s how I feel. A contract means nothing unless it ensures that you provide breakfast in bed daily.” I tilt my head up to look at Mikkalo. “The best bubble baths and full body massages.”
Mikkalo joins us on the floor. “I’ll write one up immediately.”
I laugh and wiggle my fingers at Everett. “Also one to ensure that my body’s needs are satisfied on every level.”
Everett hums in his throat, getting on his knees. He kneels behind me and combs my hair away to kiss my neck. “I think I can handle that.”
Tipping my head up, I meet Bronx’s handsome, brooding face. “And from you, I want one that guarantees that you satiate my dhampir side—on every level, of course.”
Bronx’s eyes flash and he licks his lips, taking me up on my invitation to kiss me. “I already planned on it, dandelion.”
I smile against his lips. “Good. And as for you four, I will give what each of you needs whenever you need it. Blood, body, mind, and soul. I’m your girl.”
“Hell yeah, you are,” Mikkalo says, smothering me with his affection, squishing me between his brothers with his muscular arms.
“And we’re your guys,” Jameson says. “At your disposal for anything.”
Bronx eases back to look at his brothers. “Unfortunately, we still need to give the board an answer. As much as I want Gwen’s contract, you are all too important to me. So I’m not going to ask for it.”
“Shit,” Jameson says, shaking Bronx’s shoulder. “That’s what I was going to say.”
“So, Mikkalo or Everett?” Bronx asks.
Mikkalo and Everett shake their heads. Everett says, “Perhaps we can arrange the transfer of her contract another way—the way we originally wanted to get it.”
“You want us all to apply to Blood Match?” Jameson asks, tilting his lips down. “Think the board will go for it?”
Bronx scrubs his hands over his face for a moment. “We can ask. It’s a better idea than anything else we’ve come up with.”
I shiver at the thought of having to go through the Blood Match process all over again. The dumb questionnaire, the health exam, the blood draw? All it does is bring up terrible memories for me.
“Gwen,” Bronx says softly, touching my cheek to grab my attention before my thoughts consume me. “Is that okay? The results won’t change anything between us.”
I press my lips together, my chest tightening as I think over his words. I can tell all of them want to do it this way. And because I don’t want to pick, and they obviously can’t pick between them, I guess I’ll have to suck it up.
“If this is what you want, then I’ll do it,” I say, swallowing the knot in my throat.
Jameson slaps his hands and rubs them together. “Fuck yeah. I finally get to prove that I’m one-hundred percent your body match.” His enthusiasm lifts me up and settles my nerves.
I raise an eyebrow at him. “You guys better not rub any of the results in.”
Jameson chuckles. “Sorry, Gigi. That’s the one thing I can’t promise.”
“Me either,” Everett says, whacking Jameson on the shoulder. “I’m about to prove Jameson that he’s one-hundred percent wrong.”
***
My hands tremble as I stand within the circle my guys create around me outside of a set of dark wood, double doors. Cool air trickles from the vents, helping combat against the nervous sweat attempting to drench the underside of my hair. Quiet voices sound from within the room, and I squint my eyes like it’ll suddenly give me better hearing.
“Just a couple more minutes, Gwen,” Bronx whispers. “We’ll hopefully get this over with fast. The board is known for their swift decisions.”
“And lack of patience. None of them actually like to get together like this all the time, let alone have to travel from their regions,” Mikkalo says.
I groan. “Ah, hell. If they’re already annoyed, it’s not going to be good.”
Everett brings my hand to his mouth. “Annoyance doesn’t affect their judgment.”
“They will always do what they feel is best for Donor Life Corp even if they don’t necessarily agree,” Jameson adds.
I bounce on my feet, continuing to stare at the door. I wonder if I will the board to hurry up, the universe will respond and have the door swinging inward in three, two—
“My brothers.” Corona’s sharp voice cuts through the air, stealing my breath.
I jerk my attention toward the elevato
r to see him lead Brooklyn and the two other guys, I never bothered to learn their names, that make up the rest of the Anderson Coven into the lobby. Bronx steps away from me, using his massive, muscular frame to block Corona’s view—or maybe mine—as he greets the asshole with a proffered hand.
“I hadn’t expected your arrival,” Bronx says, keeping his voice even.
I stand on my tiptoes and glare at the Anderson Coven. Anger suppresses any nerves I had about meeting the board. Now, all I can think about is all the ways I can break one of the chairs to ram one of its wooden legs through the bastard’s heart.
“Neither had I.” Corona risks flicking his gaze to mine. He smiles, the sharpness of his face leaving my heart cold and hard like a piece of ice hanging in my chest. “A few of the Widows summoned us.”
Before Bronx can respond, the double doors swing inward to reveal two women and two men sitting at a giant glass table. I recognize Viorica from her surprise arrival in Crimson Vista, but I haven’t seen any of the other board members before.
The other woman gives me a long once-over, drinking me in as I stand facing them since my guys turned. Glittering diamonds sparkle from her ears, neck, fingers, and wrists. Her long, dark hair cascades over her bare shoulders in waves. She’s stunning. I can’t take my eyes off her to even look at the other two guys, who I can feel give me equal attention as she does.
Viorica stands from her seat, getting me to break my stare on the woman. She saunters around the table to greet Bronx. He offers her a deep bow and his brothers follow his lead. Corona’s coven joins in. I remain standing stiff and only offer her a short nod. She doesn’t acknowledge me, treating me as if I’m not even here.
“Thank you for joining us tonight,” Viorica says, acknowledging everyone as a group. “Please, come in and take a seat.”
Viorica disappears and reappears at the table, using her vampire speed. Touching the small of my back, Bronx leads me into the boardroom and guides me toward a small sitting area in the corner with a view of the city through the tinted glass.
I take a seat, crossing my legs at my knees, and rest my hands on my lap. My guys flick their attention to me as they sit beside the Anderson Coven and across from the board. The man on the end—a guy with long blond hair, a neatly trimmed beard, and a broad, muscular body winks at me. I can’t help my reaction to the forward board member. He laughs at my frown but clears his throat when everyone looks at him.
“If you must say hello to Ms. Royale, hurry up, Mr. Goldman,” Viorica tells the board member.
He suddenly materializes in front of me, cocking his head to the side. “It’s a shame Zaire didn’t have long to experience such an exquisite donor.”
It takes everything in me not to uncross my legs and kick him in the cock. I think Bronx must notice my sudden urge, because he comes up beside the man and drapes his arm over his shoulder.
“It truly is. Gwen would’ve made him quite happy,” Bronx says.
Mr. Goldman’s lips split into a smile. “I can assume you’ve been enjoying his assets?”
I open my mouth to tell him that I’m not a piece of property, but Bronx releases a fake as hell laugh, humoring the guy. I just gape at the two of them as they share a silent conversation with their eyes. Bronx reaches out and touches my cheek, pushing my hair behind my ear without a word.
“All right, you’ve had long enough. Some of us don’t want to be here all night,” Viorica says.
“She’s right. I have far better things to do than draw out something longer than necessary,” the other male board member says. “There will be no need to prove your capability of filling Zaire’s vacant seat. We know you and your coven have done an excellent job in building the Royale Region.”
I sit straighter at the man’s words.
“Thank you, Mr. Woodsman. I take the leadership of the Royale Region seriously. It is my number one priority,” Bronx says.
“Which makes you the perfect candidate,” the woman beside Viorica says. “Zaire made an excellent decision in making you his first in line.”
Bronx’s eyes light up, though his jaw remains serious. “That is kind of you to say, Ms. Aku.”
She leans in her seat and extends her hand to rest it on top of Bronx’s. “What have I told you? Please, call me Zara. No need for formality, especially with your advancement to the board.”
I inhale a small breath. “Fuck yeah,” I whisper under my breath.
I must not be quiet enough, because the woman turns her attention to me and raises a perfectly arched brow.
“All we need is one final vote of agreement in front of your coven as witnesses,” Viorica says.
“All who agree that Bronx Royale will fill the open board seat, raise your hand,” Mr. Goldman says.
The four board members all raise their hands.
Mikkalo, Everett, and Jameson break their steely expressions and grin at each other. Corona reaches over and pats Bronx on the back. I cringe a little, even imagining his touch. The fact that he’s here makes me nervous as hell.
Viorica nods her head and gets from her seat, striding to the desk positioned on the opposite side of the room from me. She swipes a stack of papers from her desk and sets them in front of Bronx.
“While we’re here, we’d also like to inform you that we’ve approved your request to merge the Royale and Anderson Covens. Please read over the contract and if you agree to continue with the union, you will blend your bloodlines as we bear witness tonight.” Viorica clicks a pen and sets it on the stack of papers.
My heart ricochets around my ribcage, threatening to throw itself from my body. Fear pours through me in icy waves. The sudden silence filling the room unnerves me. I shift on the seat, unable to stay still. No one looks at me. No one acknowledges that they can probably hear my heart freaking out from clear across the room.
Bronx rests his elbows on the table and glances over the top page of the prepared contract. He gives nothing away, his eyes drawing lines across the papers. I stare at him, hoping that the weight of my gaze gets him to look at me, but he doesn’t. Neither does Jameson, Everett, and Mikkalo.
This can’t be happening. They can’t possibly go along with this.
Bronx turns his gaze from the papers to the board members. “The only thing I disagree with is your suggestion to make Corona first in line. I have already chosen Mikkalo, considering he is the best suited and most knowledgeable of the infrastructures of every coven in our region. Corona recently had a dispute with another one of our city heads, so putting him in the position of first in line will cause unnecessary tension.”
The board members glance to each other in silent conversation before Zara says, “Mikkalo will make a fine first in line. We accept your request to change the position.”
Corona flares his nostrils and straightens his back. I expect him to argue, but all he does is flick his gaze to me. He smiles, purposely getting under my skin like he knew how relieved I’d feel, and he doesn’t think I deserve such a feeling.
“Very good. Then I accept the contract and agree to proceed with the coven union.” Bronx signs the paper and hands it to Viorica. “I’ll submit my new coven member’s titles after I fully prepare their contracts.”
“Within the week, please, Mr. Royale,” Mr. Woodsman says, leaning back in his chair.
Bronx nods.
Mr. Goldman waves his hand. “Hurry now and finalize your union. I’m sure you’d all like to be on your way to celebrate.”
Bronx extends his fangs longer than I’ve ever seen them. I tense at the flash of silver in his eyes as he settles his gaze on me. We stare at each other in silence, my body and mind on the verge of a meltdown. He remains expressionless and gets to his feet.
“Corona, welcome to the Royale Coven. It is an honor to have you by our sides,” Bronx says. “Please, give me your arm.”
Extending his arm, Corona smiles at me without looking at anyone else. I scoot to the edge of my seat, my legs shaking so much that my who
le body bounces. I twist my fingers together in panic and anticipation.
“Bro—”
Jameson presses his hand over my mouth, silencing anything I could possibly say. I watch in horror as Bronx bites Corona on his arm to blend their blood. Corona releases a low grunt, his eyes flashing silver, and then the two of them hug. Mikkalo and Everett hug Corona next, and the sight of it twists my stomach.
I cover my mouth with my hand, trying to force my belly to chill the hell out before I get sick in front of the board.
Bronx continues to Brooklyn and bites her next along with the other two guys. He welcomes them all to the Royale Coven and they hug like he did with Corona. Tears burn my eyes, every bad thing in my life crashing over me. A part of me feels like it dies. The one thing I didn’t want, the one person I hate most in the world, has managed to invade my life. What that means for me? I have no idea. All I know is that if Corona dares even to think he can act as if he didn’t murder my brother or imprison me, I will punch his damn heart out. If Jameson didn’t grip me tightly, I would fly across the room and do it now.
“Congratulations, Royales. We look forward to the continued progression of the Royale Region. I expect you to accomplish great things together,” Viorica says, genuinely smiling for the first time tonight—the first time I’ve ever seen her do something other than look bored, annoyed, or angry.
I groan and cover my face with my hands.
“Oh, the Blood Match,” Zara says, her feminine voice cutting through the agony clinging to every molecule on my body. “We almost forgot. Will you be taking her contract, Bronx?”
I jerk my head up and meet Bronx’s gaze. It’s the first time he’s looked at me since the board threw the coven union at him. My mouth trembles, and nothing I do can stop the pout from crossing my face. The last thing I want now is to deal with this—to participate in the Blood Match Program all over again.
Bronx clears his throat. “Actually, my brothers and I were hoping we could use the program to determine who she belongs with. We like her equally and would like the opportunity.”
