“Constantine,” Devon says just as coldly back, but gives me a look that tells me he is definitely thinking about what happened between the three of us.
And like a panther stalking his prey, CK’s gaze slowly lands on Cole, his face impassive. “And you must be Cole,” he says with even more chill to his tone.
Cole nods once, holding his gaze.
I pipe up, “Constantine, this is Cole O’Dell. Cole, my sire Constantine Kaius Anasetti D’Arcangelo.”
“Nice to meet you. Liv has told me quite a bit about you,” Cole says with a hint of amusement.
CK turns to me and says, “Really?” He turns back to Cole. “She’s told me nothing about you,” he says dismissively.
The look of faint amusement on Cole’s face grows a tiny fraction deeper and doesn’t go unnoticed by CK who narrows his eyes.
“I see you at least had the good sense to prep this one,” CK says to my relief, also now looking slightly amused, to which Devon snorts with mirth.
“Yes, well, I haven’t been trying to avoid you this time and so your presence is expected,” I say smartly, and he laughs.
“And for that I am grateful,” he says, kissing my hand. “So, what tales of me has my charge been telling you?” he asks back to Cole.
“We’ve covered the basics,” Cole says, sliding a hand into his pocket in a show of indifference.
“Hm,” CK says and nods. “Liv, my sweet, will you get me a drink?” he asks, letting go of my hand.
“Of course,” I say. I move quickly to the bar to pour out a Scotch, neat. No one says a word while I pour, and the silence is deafening. Picking the glass up, I move back to CK and hand him the glass. He accepts it with his left hand and brings his right up to stroke my face. His molten chocolate eyes lose all trace of their amber flecks as they darken. He traces a finger down my cheek, down my throat, to hook it into the gold chain around my neck. He pulls it out of my dress and his eyes turn black as he takes in the engagement ring.
I should have known, he’d know.
“Doesn’t match the rest of your jewelry, my sweet,” he says as he gives the chain a rough yank and it snaps free from my neck. He holds it up to peer at it and then clenches it in his tight fist.
My ring! I step forward to take it back, but then my stomach drops as he turns to Cole, his gaze like ice. The tension in the room goes up several notches.
Cole, to his credit, doesn’t flinch, but does shift his posture and adjusts his features to one of nonchalance.
At this point, even Devon is reacting to the atmosphere as he rises, and to my utmost surprise, stands just to the left of Cole, a little bit in front. Nico wisely steps back and my Louboutins now remain glued to the spot, but I’m ready to dive for Cole if CK makes a move on him.
CK cocks an eyebrow at Devon’s bold move and takes a long sip of his drink.
Nobody else moves.
The tension grows thicker as each silent minute passes.
After an eternity, CK speaks to Cole, “What gives you the right to ask my woman to marry you?” The menace in his tone chills me.
His woman? What the fuck is this, the Victorian times? Fuck’s sake. I completely ignore the meaning behind it. If I don’t, I will cry. “Constantine,” I say, but he interrupts me.
“I’ll deal with you later,” he says, pointing at me, but never taking his eyes off Cole.
I shut my mouth and snap my gaze to Cole. He’s glaring back at Constantine.
“I love her,” he says simply.
I’m so glad he decided not to make an issue out of Constantine’s words.
Constantine takes a step forward and again the tension goes up a notch. My breath hitches. I know how CK’s mind works and right now, I know he is processing and deducing and coming up with the correct conclusion. “She said she’d turn you, didn’t she.” A statement. “The ultimate prize.”
Cole remains silent. CK nods at the obvious confirmation.
“Aefre, on the balcony. Now,” he snarls at me.