by Ginna Moran
“Let me get lower,” Mikkalo whispers, playing with strands of my hair.
I pull away from him, and he kneels so that I can kiss him again. Breaking my lips from his mouth, I trail kisses to his neck and to his shoulder. Reaching down, I stroke my fingers over his boner. Jameson picks up speed, thrusting harder into me. I moan and bite my teeth into Mikkalo’s shoulder, filling my mouth with his blood. I swallow, humming as warmth blossoms through me. Jameson tightens his hands on me with his climax. I gasp, sliding off him to push Mikkalo back. I straddle him, rolling my body hard and fast until he cums as well. Jameson joins us on the floor, and the three of us catch our breaths. Jameson cuddles me from behind, kissing my shoulder while Mikkalo hugs my arms to his chest.
“You got our girl to eat.” Bronx’s sultry voice draws my attention away from Mikkalo.
I sit up and smile at him. “And I feel so much better now.”
Everett props himself up on his elbows and gives me the best smile. His blue eyes sparkle in the soft light of the nearly silent movie playing on the projection screen. He and Bronx devour me with their gazes, sending another wave of lust through me.
Bronx’s eyes flash silver. “You still hungry, dandelion? I’d love to satiate you if you are.”
I grin at him, knowing it’s more than about feeding me. He and Everett stare at me with the same desire I do them. I don’t know if it’s because of all the shit we’ve been through or if it was because I was terrified that I wouldn’t want their blood again, but what I do know is I need them both now. I want to be with each of them the way they desire.
I squeeze Mikkalo and Jameson’s hands. “Will you two check to see if you can get ahold of Lady Tori again? If she has my brother...”
“We’re on it,” Mikkalo says, pushing up from the floor. He extends his hand out to me and helps me to my feet.
Jameson hops up and lifts me into his arms, kissing me tenderly. “Take it easy on my brothers, Gigi.”
I giggle and comb my fingers through his hair as he carries me to set me on the bed with them. “We’ve already determined that to be impossible.”
Bronx crawls to me and kisses my shoulder. “The way we like it.”
After Mikkalo kisses me, he and Jameson disappear from the room, probably heading to their rooms to get ready before doing what I ask. Everett wastes no time, sliding off the bed to stand in front of me. Bronx tugs me farther onto the bed, and I drag Everett with me.
“I want you,” Everett whispers, bringing his lips to mine. “I need you.”
I chew my lip, drinking in his handsome face, sharpening with his desire. Bronx murmurs he’s good with anything I want, and I nod to Everett. He kisses me again, shifting me to roll over to face Bronx. Bronx helps me lie on top of him, adjusting my legs to straddle his while giving Everett space to kneel between them.
Bronx strokes his hands up and down the length of my back, both nerves and excitement rushing through the three of us. While we’ve done stuff together, this still feels so new. So good.
Everett rests his hands on my back, his hips easing my legs open wider. I moan so embarrassingly loud as Everett thrusts into me. Bronx kisses me, caressing his fingers over my breasts, shifting me up enough to suck my nipples. My skin buzzes, my emotions running wild. I feel so hot and sexy, so wanted and loved.
Bronx links his fingers to my shoulders to hold me in place to assure I get to experience every crazy intense sensation Everett’s thrusting creates. I suck on Bronx’s neck, leaving a hicky without breaking his skin.
“Take what you need,” Bronx murmurs. “I want you so badly to bite me. I want to take care of you and our baby.”
I release a strange coo sound, so much happiness flowing through me that I hug against him for a moment, savoring his arms around me as Everett pleasures me. Bronx slides his hand lower and rubs my clit to turn my pleasure into full on ecstasy. I scream a moan with my orgasm and bite Bronx, giving him what he wants. Everett finishes soon after, resting against me.
“I’m so madly and deeply in love with you,” Everett whispers into my ear. “I promise you that our lives will be everything you’ve ever imagined and more.” He eases off me and helps me sit up.
I spin around to face him, hugging him while I bury my face against his sweet skin. “I love you too. So much.”
Bronx shifts to hug me from behind. “If you’re tired...”
Turning my head, I smile. “Tired? I feel amazing. I want more.”
He releases a deep purr sound in his throat, spinning me around so fast that I screech and laugh. My back hits the bed, and Everett pulls my head on his lap, running his fingers through my hair. Bronx stretches my legs up and holds them against his chest while tilting my hips up. Pressure builds between my legs as he teases me with his tip, just enjoying how wet and excited my body is.
The click of Everett’s fangs sounds in my ears, and I smile at him as he bites his arm to offer me his blood. The second I latch on, Bronx rocks into me, the pressure of our bodies connecting pulling a loud moan from me that I release Everett’s arm.
Everett bends down and kisses me. “I’m going to run you a bath.”
I bob my head with another moan, turning my full attention to Bronx. His eyes flash silver with his desire. He looks so sexy, his muscles rippling, his arms flexing. He thrusts into me harder and deeper until my moans come in short, quick bursts. His face scrunches with his orgasm, and he nestles between my legs to catch his breath. My body hums, my legs slightly aching but in a good way that reminds me how much I love my guys, how perfect we are together. How amazing the life we’ve created really is.
“I love you, Gwen,” Bronx whispers, kissing me sweetly.
I smile and snuggle against him. “I love you too.”
Everett emerges from the bathroom and opens his arms to silently ask Bronx’s permission to lift me from the bed. But we don’t make it to the bathroom. Mikkalo and Jameson enter the room, the looks on their faces sending fear through me. I tense in Everett’s arm, a dozen thoughts about Ashton running through my mind.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, my voice quivering.
Everett returns with me back to the bed to sit down. “Gwen, try to stay calm.”
“Ashton’s fine but the Barons got to him,” Mikkalo’s quick to spit out. “He managed to reach out to them in Sky Canyon.”
“Then why do you guys look like someone died?” I ask, wringing my hands together.
Jameson sits next to us on the bed. He turns his gaze to Bronx. “We received a notice from the board. They’ve called a mandatory meeting. We have to travel to Midnight Valley immediately.”
Bronx frowns. “Does it say what it’s about?”
Jameson tightens his jaw. “You. Something came to the rest of the board’s attention and they want to discuss it. If you fail to show up, you’ll be removed. We’re supposed to bring Gwen.”
“Shit,” I say, looking at the four of them. “It’s the Barons. It has to be.”
A chime sounds through the air, and Bronx stiffens. His com device glows from the nightstand, and he shifts and scoops it up. Tapping the screen, he answers an incoming call, keeping it private instead of projecting it on the wall.
Bronx’s face twists into a frown. “Ashton? Where are you calling from?”
I scramble to get next to Bronx. Everett quickly drapes a blanket around me. “Are you okay?”
Ashton turns his gaze from Bronx to me. He furrows his brows. “I’m fine, Gwen, but I called with a warning. The Barons want the Royales to return you to them or to prepare for a region takeover.”
Bronx growls. “We’ll take our chances.”
“You don’t understand. They’re not going to attack your region anymore. They’ve registered their coven with Donor Life Corp. They’ve inherited Sky Canyon from Brentwood.”
I blink. “Wait, what? They’re a city head now?” The call drops, leaving me in confusion. I turn to my guys. “What does that even mean?”
Bronx’s
jaw twitches. “I don’t know. I’ve accepted the board position. They don’t just replace people because someone new wants the position.”
“Unless you die,” Mikkalo says, frowning with his words.
My eyes widen. “Don’t be morbid. I’ll destroy the damn universe if anyone tries.”
Jameson huffs a breath and hugs me. “I’ll help.”
Another alert pops onto Bronx’s phone and he stiffens. “Fuck,” he mutters under his breath. “It’s from Brooklyn.”
“What did she say?”
“Looks like the Barons might get their wish after all.” Bronx holds his com device up for us to read. “Corona has formally accused me of treason.”
Epilogue
Fight for the Region
I PACE IN THE LOBBY of the Blood Match Center in Midnight Valley. Every few minutes, a new coven of vampires arrives, filling the place so much that half the people have to stand. A few humans mingle with the vampires, and I refuse to meet any of their gazes. My nerves bunch in my stomach, my anxiety threatening to spill its contents all over the floor.
“This cannot be good for the mini beast,” Jameson whispers to Everett. “I think you should take her to Bronx’s suite until this is over.”
I jerk my attention to him and glower. “Don’t you even think about it. I’m not going anywhere.”
Jameson sticks out his bottom lip in a pout. “At least come sit down. You’re making Mikkalo a nervous wreck.”
I stop in place, and Mikkalo bumps into my back. I hadn’t realized he was shadowing me so closely, but I guess there was no way he was letting a foot of space fall between us in a room full of vampires pretty much only here to witness the shit show going down.
“Brothers,” a familiar voice says, sending pain shooting through my heart. “What an unfortunate evening. Let me know if there is anything I can do to show our leader my support.”
I tense and swivel, meeting Corona’s gaze. He remains expressionless, giving nothing away.
Before anyone can react, I launch at him and knock him off his feet. I lock his hands over his head and scream in his face, fury stealing all good sense from me. The noisy room falls silent, and Mikkalo, Everett, and Jameson growl, the deep noises reverberating through my bones.
I shove my hand against Corona’s heart. “You’re dead! Dead! You can’t come in here and pretend like you’re even worthy of being a part of the Royale Coven. You’re a traitor and a fraud. A weak, powerless asshole. You won’t get away with this, accusing Bronx of treason.”
Corona snarls at me, and I jab my nails hard enough to his chest that I pierce the fabric of his dress shirt. “I’d suggest you get your donor off of me unless you’d like me to act on my rightful authority under Donor Life Corp law.”
“Beautiful Gwen, allow me to help you to your feet,” Freeport says, his shadow falling over me.
I don’t get a chance to react as Everett lifts me from Corona and spins me away. Mikkalo and Jameson unsheathe their daggers and get into fighting stance. All eyes drink us in, devouring the drama unfolding.
I glower at Corona. “You can’t touch me. The law protects me from all punishment until the birth of my child.” I squirm in Everett’s arms. “Now let me down. I’m going to kill him. I don’t care. He deserves it.”
Whispers trickle through the air, the revelation of my pregnancy causing a wave of shock and speculation to explode through the gathered crowd. Corona gawks at me, his wide eyes showing me that he had no idea.
Freeport releases a small growl. “So my brother was right? You carry an abomination to the Baron bloodline.”
Snatching Everett’s dagger from beneath his jacket, I throw it with perfect accuracy, sinking it deep into Freeport’s chest. He startles, taken by surprise. Gasps turn into loud uproars. Several vampires yell that someone should take my final donation immediately.
And then a man flies at me, flashing his fangs. He tries to grab a hold of me, but a figure blurs between us, and he drops to the floor—at least his body does. Viorica flares her nostrils, gripping the severed head of the vampire by his long brown hair.
“Ms. Royale, please come with me,” Viorica says, chucking the head into the wall.
“Only if Mikkalo, Everett, and Jameson get to come too,” I say, tightening my grip on Everett in case she tries to rip me away.
“Only because I’m in no mood to argue.” Viorica spins on her heels and click-clacks toward the elevator that will take us up to the floor with the meeting room.
Everyone—including Freeport and Corona—watches us as the elevator doors close. I release a ragged breath and groan, my shot nerves relaxing a bit. Without the presence of so many vampires, my human instincts can finally chill the fuck out.
“Ms. Vaduva, you have to believe that Corona set Bronx up. Corona’s the traitor.” I wiggle enough in Everett’s arms that he finally sets me on my feet. “Bronx is a great leader. He cares about our region.”
Viorica keeps her eyes trained on the elevator door. “Please do not assume that I’m foolish or stupid enough to believe a man who can’t even manage to keep his children loyal to him.”
I open and shut my mouth, trying to think of a response. “I’m sorry,” I finally say. “I didn’t mean to offend you. I’m just—all of this is bullshit.”
Jameson slaps his hand over my mouth. “Please accept my apology on Gwen’s behalf. She’s going through a lot.”
Viorica raises her eyebrow. “Do not speak on her behalf. We are alone, and due to these circumstances, I’ll allow Gwen to speak freely. Her assertion and confidence are quite admirable.”
I pull Jameson’s hand from my mouth. “Thank you, Ms. Vaduva.”
“Please, call me Viorica. Bronx informed me of his desire to propose a Blood Vow to you after the birth of your heir. If such is the case, there will be no need for formalities.” Viorica flicks her gaze to my guys, looking for a reaction. From their reflections in the mirrored walls, they don’t give her one.
The elevator comes to a halt, and Viorica steps out before us. I have to jog to keep up with her brisk pace. My guys surround me protectively all the way to the double doors of the board room. It swings open upon our arrival, and I spot Bronx sitting at the enormous table with the three other board members. I start to run to him, but he gets up and meets me half way, pulling me into his arms.
“Are you okay?” I ask, cupping his cheeks. “What’s going on?”
Bronx kisses me without responding. I feel the weight of the board’s stares on the side of my face, and I ease away and flick my attention to them. Zara offers me a smirk while the two men look ready to pull their hair out from annoyance, like my very presence bothers them.
“Please take a seat, misters Royale,” Viorica says, motioning to the table. “We have a few things to discuss, and it is of utmost importance that our conversation remains between us.”
Zara turns her gaze to me. “This means you too, Ms. Royale. We expect your misters to take the proper precautions to assure no one manipulates your mind.”
“Gwen already consumes our blood regularly for that very reason,” Bronx says, speaking up. “With the current blood feuds besieging our region, we’ve found it necessary.”
“Very good,” Mr. Goldman says, nodding to Bronx. Now that we sit at the table, he looks less annoyed and more...I don’t know. Concerned? It’s hard to tell under his sharp expression.
Viorica links her fingers together, resting her hands on the glass table. “So, it has come to our attention of the recent events occurring in your region. Bronx has informed us of a recently registered coven threatening a siege of the region.”
Bronx’s eyes flash silver. “They’ve killed several of our city heads. Turned others against us. They want us to give them Gwen.”
“Do they own a Gallagher blood debt?” the other man, Mr. Woodsman, asks.
“No. But even if they did, she is last born. Her four remaining human brothers would inherit it before she did,” Bronx says.
“What happened to the other two?” Zara asks.
Mikkalo leans on his elbows. “Corona killed one and the Barons transitioned the other.”
“An unauthorized Blood Vow?” Mr. Goldman throws up his arms in exasperation.
“That is concerning,” Viorica says. “So is the unrest in your region, Mr. Royale.”
“It must be handled swiftly.” Zara turns her attention to me. “Can you tell us anything else about these Barons?”
I press my lips together. “They want power.”
Viorica sighs. “Obviously.”
“No, I mean, more than to take over the region. They want to destroy Donor Life Corp,” I say.
The four board members apart from Bronx all laugh, like just the idea is ridiculous.
“It’ll take more than one coven to overthrow the Donor Life Corp territory,” Mr. Woodsman says.
I want so badly to tell them that they have a plan. But there is no way in hell I’d ever tell them that the plan includes me and my dhampir mutation. Instead of arguing, I just nod my head.
Viorica stands up and peers at all of us. “Do the members of the board find the accusations against Bronx Royale unfounded?”
“Yes,” all of them say.
“Does the board agree to the re-evaluation and shift of power in the Royale Region?” Viorica asks.
“What does that mean?” I can’t stop the question from escaping my mouth.
“They want to remove all city heads and transfer power to new covens, possibly sending some from their own regions,” Mikkalo whispers to me.
“Yes,” the board says, answering Viorica’s question.
“All right. Due to the sensitive nature of the situation, I must ask the entire board to join me in the announcement. Please take five minutes to prepare your security heads and meet in the lobby.”
The five of us are left alone in the board room, and I exhale a long breath as relief washes over me. I had expected the worst from the situation. I expected to have to channel the wild beast within me to destroy the whole board. What I didn’t expect was for the board to side with us and to stand up for Bronx. To let me speak before them.
