Hupotasso (Vampire Bachelor Games #2)

38

38

“It’s done,” I sigh to Wolf. “But I wish to hell things could have played out differently.”

I run my hands through my hair in agitation, only having just returned from seeing Sophie board my plane ready to fly back to Spider.

She’d insisted the moment the hupotasso kicked in, but I’d managed to keep her here long enough to get her pregnant.

Wolf shrugs and shakes his head.

“There’s nothing else you could have done. He knew where she was being kept the moment she gave birth. It was his right to petition The Families to have her given back and it was her right to demand to be returned. She’s his wife , Falcon, and under hupotasso.”

“I know all this,” I snarl. “But I’d hoped to keep her under my protection for a little longer. Even as she said the words, even as she said, “take me back,” I recalled how terrified she was of him that night she’d run to me in The Games.”

“The night Angie took her to you,” Jag murmurs. “Despite your assertion she was, and still is, Spider’s minion. That move doesn’t quite sit right, wouldn’t you agree? Unless Sophie was sent here deliberately…”

“You think too much,” I sigh. “Sophie would have found me with or without Angelina’s help. Now all I can hope is that she can keep the pregnancy under wraps for the required time.”

“Twelve to sixteen weeks until the quickening,” Wolf murmurs, “you’ve spared her six weeks of his tyranny. In theory, another six and she could be free of his control and able to aid us.”

“Yes,” I sigh, pushing my hands through my hair.

Jag studies me thoughtfully.

“And you’re still determined to go through with killing Spider and claiming Sophie as your wife.”

“She’s carrying my heir.”

“Your bastard heir. Your true heir will be produced by your wife.”

“If she ever gets pregnant.”

I meet his gaze, but deep down I’d be lying if I hadn’t second-guessed myself on a daily basis over aspects of my plan. He doesn’t know that I still hadn’t, even up until the day Sophie left, promised her that I would kill my child with Angie. Between Jag’s absolute disgust with the plan, Wolf’s silent recrimination, and my own doubts, I’d made no firm decision on this yet, but I was leaning further away from that direction day by day. I have a feeling Jag senses this, but he hadn’t mentioned it since the day we’d had our disagreement. The fact that he’s returned to live here, though, makes me think he’s following Wolf’s rationale that I’ll make what they consider a ‘more noble’ choice when the time comes. But right now neither one of us wants to bring up that old chestnut again, not when we’re only just on speaking terms once more.

Wolf clears his throat uncomfortably and we, all three, look up relieved at the interruption as my study door opens.

“Viper,” I smile as he enters the room, “to what do we owe the honour of your presence? I thought you were out gambling.”

Jag looks away towards the fire and makes no salutation. He and Wolf believe all my troubles stem from my brother’s idiocy.

“Not at all, brother ,” Viper smirks, sneering at Jag. “I thought you’d be needing company now that your favourite has been sent back to our enemy. I swung by to offer my condolences. I knew Wolf was still here, but I didn’t realise the soldier had moved back in.”

Jag snorts. He’s much more than a soldier, as Viper well knows, and stations above him, given that Viper is just the younger brother in a great house, holding no land or title of his own. Nevertheless, he’d never called my friend anything else.

“Tell me,” he goes on, “do we have a plan to get Sophie back? You know I was always fond of her.”

Wolf clears his throat loudly and gives me a ‘don’t go there’ look, and I silently agree. Viper is an accident-prone, quick-tempered, never-do-well with dubious companions. Brother or no, having him involved in any plan is a guarantee it’ll fuck up.

“Not at this stage,” I turn from him and pour myself a drink. “Unless you have any ideas?”

“Sadly no. I can’t help you,” he shrugs as I turn back to him. “If I knew anything of import I’d share it. The fact of the matter is that after Spider kidnapped me I was held in his dungeon all those months. The day he set me free all I saw was the grand hallway and the driveway. I never even knew he’d married Sophie until you told me.”

Jag makes a ‘bullshit’ cough into his hand, and stands.

“I’ll leave you two to continue this discussion.”

“Oh, I’m leaving now,” Viper chuckles, “Casino beckons. If there’s nothing I can do to help, I’ll head off.”

Jag sits back down and we watch as Viper turns to go.

“Oh, there is one thing, brother,” he adds before he leaves, “I’m going to have some friends come to stay for a few days, if that’s alright?”

“Of course,” I frown, “why would you even need to ask?”

He pastes on an innocent face.

“The way things are between you and your wife, I wanted to ensure there wasn’t anything unpleasant at the dining table. I thought it best to check that guests would be welcome at this time. Although the castle seems to be bustling with visitors at the moment,” he nods towards Jag.

I don’t bother defending my friend. Viper enjoys his little jibes, and Jag will put him in his place with a hard right hook if he can be bothered. He’d certainly done so many times before. But I won’t have him commenting on my marriage.

“I’m not sure why you’re intimating that my wife and I are at odds, or why you believe the behaviour at my table would be anything other than dignified. In fact, it’s customary to ask the lady of the house if guests are welcome, is it not?”

“Oh, Angie’s fine with it,” Viper smiles, “all for it, can’t wait, actually. And I’m sure the table behaviour will be exemplary. Any friction must just have been my imagination. Think nothing of it.”

When he’s gone Wolf stands.

“He’s up to something.”

“Viper? He’s always up to something, but the shit he landed himself in with Spider has taught him a valuable lesson. He’ll confine himself to the usual whoring, drinking and gambling from now on — I’d lay money on it.”

“I hope you’re right,” Jag shakes his head. “I’m heading out. I’ll study the maps Sophie left and get my head around the layout of Spider’s castle.”

“I’ll focus on organising a watertight alibi,” I sigh.

“And I’ll be getting laid,” Wolf grins.

“And organising weaponry,” I remind him.

He snorts as he and Jag leave the room.

All going to plan, in six weeks Spider will be out of my life for good, as will Angie and any reminder of the farce I’ve had to live through these past two years.