“What? Not any of the others?” I ask.
He shakes his head, face stone cold.
Wow, this is pretty shocking. I mean, I know I have been heartless in turning in the past during my ‘evil’ years, but since Lance took me, I have never sired without love, or at least something akin to love.
“I think Devon might sire that girl he is with,” I say, eyes on the road.
“You don’t want him to?”
“No. I don’t want his first to be out of spite to me.”
“Oh? And yours wasn’t out of spite to me?” he asks wryly.
“It wasn’t,” I say sadly. “Maybe the second, but it’s not the same.” I add, “After five hundred and seven years it’s different. And now? We were supposed to be a family. All of us,” I stare pointedly at him for a moment, before I drag my eyes back to the road. “It all went to shit, and I hate it.”
“I will talk to him,” he says shortly, but ignores the rest of what I said. I don’t push it. Now isn’t the time. But, I will and soon.
I glance at him, but his eyes are forward. I smile, as I know he will talk to Devon to stop me feeling unnecessary pain. I feel a stab of selfishness but push it away. I am too old and have too much history, too much pain under my belt to feel such an emotion. I live to my own ends. Come and see me when you have lived a thousand years of my life to judge.
We hit the strip in silence, and I pull up to the hotel and casino that we learned Xane owns and runs, the SUV hot on our heels, unfortunately having caught us up. We are a few minutes in front of the others so we take our time getting out. The valets all rush forward to be the first to get to the car and the lucky winner grins in delight.
“Nice ride,” Xane says from behind me and I turn with a winning smile. “Liv, it’s wonderful to see you again so soon,” he says.
I turn back to glare at the valet and snarl, “Look after it.” He gulps with a nod.
Turning back to Xane, he looks faintly amused as he says, “You look fantastic. Much more in line with how I thought you would.” He leans over and kisses both of my cheeks and holds his hand out to CK. “Constantine. Good to see you again. I trust you finished off your evening without incident?”
“Of sorts,” he says shortly, applying way more pressure than a friendly handshake calls for.
Just then the limo pulls up and everyone piles out. Devon is still avoiding giving me eye contact me wraps his arm around that girl in a possessive move, which is clearly to show his indifference to me. I have to say it’s pretty bold of him to have brought her here, being surrounded by Vampires, Shifters, and Demons. She looks nervous and so she should be. I wonder then if Devon’s hold on her is to protect her. Who the fuck is she and what the fuck is he up to with her?
“Come.” Xane takes my arm and I grab CK’s hand. He leads us through the casino and up a flight of stairs. He stops and turns around, looking at everyone in question.
“They are with me,” I say. “Except her. She isn’t one of us,” I add, rudely gesturing to Jess. I keep my eyes off Devon, but I can sense his on me. Well, the choice is his now whether he picks her or me.
He leans down to whisper in her ear, “It’s okay. Go and check in. I’ll come up when we are done.”
She nods. “Okay, baby. I love you.”
I grimace at her but am pleased to note that he doesn’t say it back. Not even his classic brush off of, ‘love you back’.
I feel a bit better about this. He doesn’t really care about her. He is doing it to piss me off, and now I know it. CK grabs my arm, then dismisses Phil and Ty and they wander off much to my relief.
Xane, sensing an atmosphere, but fortunately not commenting on it, turns back around and continues up the stairs. He looks mighty fine today. I cast an appreciative eye over him, dressed in a black Nico-type suit and a black shirt with no tie. He looks gorgeous. Oh, bad, bad thoughts, which, unsurprisingly, CK picks up on and growls low in his throat at me. I smile at him innocently and he glares at me.
Reaching a large office that looks out over the casino, Xane offers me a seat. He sits behind his massive desk and smiles at me, “Introductions, please.”
I nod. “Constantine, you already know.” I turn and gesture, “Lincoln Anderson, Scott Matthews, Sebastian Gautier, and Devon Savant. Business, Admin, Legal and Finance,” I add. Yes, it turns out that Sebastian is a lawyer and a damn good one. There’s no need to add that he doesn’t work for me but as he does work for CK, I suppose, by proxy, he works for me. “Everyone, this is Xane Draconis, House of Dracul and Demon Overlord,” I say, gesturing at the Demon behind the desk.
He inclines his head and says, “I wasn’t expecting such a formal meeting.” He gestures to everyone.
“It isn’t. I like to have my bases covered – just in case of…questions, contracts, witnesses,” I add with narrowed eyes.
“By bringing the inner circle? It’s a savvy move,” he narrows his own eyes and scrutinizes me.
“You seem surprised,” I say, slightly affronted.
He chuckles. “There is definitely more to you than meets the eye,” he murmurs.