Hupotasso (Vampire Bachelor Games #2)

14

14

Once again I leave her on the floor, only this time she’s not crying. She’s watching me with intense, troubled eyes.

There was something else I’d glimpsed in those purplish orbs as I’d pulled on my clothes. Something I’ve seen before — right before she left for the final challenge in The Games when she didn’t believe she was going to see me again — when she planned to run.

Neither of us said a word as I met her gaze before stalking from the ballroom. What was there to say? Once again I’d been drawn to her, drawn to protecting and comforting her, yet loathing her at the same time. I hadn’t planned to fuck her tonight, hadn’t even planned to see her, but my feet had led me to the ballroom after my discussion with Sophie, and one thing had led to another. I don’t regret spanking her. She fucking deserved it. But it was bothering me that it had made me so hot. And that her eyes held sincerity, just as they had in The Games.

Once upon a time I relied on my gut, on my knowledge of humans, especially women, to tell when they were lying, to tell every thought that went through their tiny brains. I could read them like books. But Angie’s a blind spot in my vision. She confounds me.

Yet I’d had it confirmed through Tom that she was Spider’s minion.

Why then does she hold some strange power over me still? A power I fight daily, but one which doesn’t seem to be diminishing?

Calling for Caroline, I pace the library as I wait for her. I don’t have long to wait, she’s breathless and looking suitably nervous when she enters the room.

“Caroline,” I snarl the moment she enters and rises from her curtsy, “if I ever, ever catch you giving my wife that look again… if I even get a sniff of an intimation that you’re not treating her as her station demands or, by God, I learn that you’ve threatened violence, I will personally gut you like a fish.”

“Falcon, please, there was never any suggestion…”

“Shut the fuck up,” I snap. “You’re an avaricious little cunt and I’ve never liked you. I hired you because it’s been expected since I announced I intended to marry and I know you have connections in the court.”

“Please,” she holds her hands up, “Cousin...”

“You leave tomorrow night for the tour,” I cut her off again. “I want Angelina chaperoned at all times, day and night. It obviously hasn’t been lost on you that we’re having difficulties settling into marital bliss.”

‘Fucking understatement of the century.’

I could almost laugh at her expression, but I don’t.

“Angelina wants to leave. I’m sure she’s told you as much. Naturally, that cannot occur. But that doesn’t mean she’s to be shown any less respect than the marchioness would normally be accorded by you or anyone else.”

“Of course, Falcon.”

I nod at her contrite expression.

“Good. I see you’ve arranged her clothes. Is there anything else she needs for the trip? Anything she’s asked for?”

“A phone,” she shrugs. “I told her ‘no,’ as you’d already directed.”

“Did she say who she planned to call?”

“We’re not on such friendly terms yet,” she murmurs.

“Then you’d better fucking work on that,” I snap. “A good start would be to keep your fangs under wraps. Your weak-ass father and useless-as-tits-on-a-bull older brother have entrusted you to my household. You’ll live by my rules and do the job you’re born to do. You report only to me, daily, and no word of what goes on under my roof had better spill from your lips to another soul. I will fuck you up if you break your word, go behind my back, or disrespect my woman again.”

“I understand. You’ve made yourself very clear,” she nods. “Ah, she did also ask to have a computer. She wants to see the show before she leaves.”

“It would seem a reasonable request on the surface.”

“Ah, yes, of course, I told her so myself.”

“You better not have.”

“No, ah,” she shakes her head, her expression puzzled. “I told her it would be problematic.”

“You’re damn right it’s problematic. She can have a television and recordings of the show — no computer.”

“Of course. I should have thought of that,” she nods quickly.

“Then get onto it. She can watch it tomorrow while you sleep. It should keep her occupied for much of the day.”

“Yes, Cousin.”

“You’re dismissed.”

I frown as I watch her leave.

It’s no surprise Angelina doesn’t like her. It wasn’t lost on me that she’d been primed to strike Caroline when I’d entered the ballroom, and I know it must have taken some doing for her to get to that stage. It also hadn’t gone unnoticed that her pent-up frustration and aggression had been unleashed on me.

The slap hadn’t hurt, although her audacity was mind-boggling. I rub my shoulder and back where she’d bitten me. Silver fucking fillings. A day or two and the ache will dissipate, but right now it was a salient reminder that I’d beaten the woman I’d chosen to marry, twice. And I’d enjoyed it. A good spanking was usually enthusiastically incorporated into my repertoire of sexual mores, and very much appreciated. But not in anger — I shouldn’t have struck her in anger.

Jag’s words about my father being proud of my actions come unbidden and I swallow another mouthful of whisky. He hadn’t called since our last meeting, but Wolf said he’s out in the world trying to get to the bottom of Spider’s ruse and Angelina’s role.

I don’t look forward to telling him the new twist to my plan when he returns, Sophie’s request regarding heirs. Even Wolf had raised his eyebrows at that. But I have a feeling this too, is something my father would have approved of.

Taking the bottle, I collapse into the chair facing the fire and wonder idly what Angelina will think when she watches the replay of our season of The Games. I hadn’t done so yet — couldn’t bring myself to do it.

Now, though, with the heady scent of her skin still on mine and that look she’d had in her eyes at the forefront of my mind, tonight might be the night. After all, we wouldn’t see each other now for at least a month. I have plenty of time to watch every last shot and glean at least some clarity. Perhaps I’ll learn something if I watch her from every angle. Perhaps she’d given herself away, but I’d been too blinded by lust to see it.

Rubbing my hands over my face as though I can rub off every memory from the past six months, I reach for my laptop and turn on the show.

I fast-forward my introduction to all the other women. I’m only interested in one.

I’ve only seen her in tears, angry, or scared for so long that I’m stunned when I see her walk towards me down the petal-strewn walkway in that tight royal-green gown, back straight and head high.

She’s beautiful.