Hupotasso (Vampire Bachelor Games #2)

47

47

I smile as he holds the chocolate-covered spoon to my mouth and I taste the sauce for his latest dessert.

For weeks now we’ve been cooking together and sleeping together, but only the former feels right.

Viper isn’t here, but his grip on me hasn’t lessened. Every night since the attack on Eleanor I’ve rested in Jag’s arms, whispering sweet lies, receiving his warmth and comfort, enjoying his company.

And every day I cry alone, wondering how the hell I’m ever going to get out of this mess, and when this whole house of cards is going to come tumbling down.

If I’d never met Falcon I could easily have seen myself falling for Jag. I know he has a vicious streak and that torture and tracking are his special skills. But for a vampire he’s remarkably well-adjusted, and everything his friend isn’t, with his easy laughter and gentle lovemaking. But I had met Falcon, and despite everything that has gone on between us, nothing, nobody, compares. I’d take his spanking and passionate sex on the floor any day over Jag’s whispered endearments and tender hands.

At least what I had with Falcon was real.

“Penny for your thoughts,” Jag says now as he continues stirring his dessert.

“She’s probably wondering why somebody hasn’t staked you yet,” Asumpta grunts from the table where she’s cleaning her blades. “Or why you haven’t become the fattest vampire on the planet.”

Jag laughs, and I shake my head.

I hadn’t managed to catch her alone yet to thank her for clearing my name about Tatyana, even if I could get the words out, or to question her more about the castle and its residents. But when she wasn’t ‘procuring’ she was often in the kitchen when Jag and I cooked. I think she’d have to be blind not to see something was going on, and she’s always struck me as someone who paid careful attention to detail.

“Where is your husband?” She asks now, catching my eye as though she’d read my thoughts.

“He’s in Russia,” Jag answers for me, “tying up some loose ends.”

“Strange you didn’t accompany him,” she snorts. “I thought you two were attached at the hip.”

“Wolf’s with him. They’ll be back tomorrow. In the meantime, I’m here to protect Angelina from any further attacks by Spider,” Jag shrugs.

“Ah, is that what you call it,” she smirks. “Protection.”

I catch Jag’s eye, and he frowns.

‘I think she knows.’

I wonder why she hasn’t said anything before, but then she’s made it clear she hates all of Falcon’s family, so perhaps she’s happy that what’s going on between Jag and I will cause a major upset if it’s discovered.

‘Understatement of the century.’

I wonder if she hopes Falcon will flip out and kill Jag and I when he finds out.

I gasp as I think this.

It’s bad enough that I’m not pregnant yet, which according to Jag was an issue for the heir to a noble house. But if Falcon killed me against The Families wishes after his very public bloodbath the first time he went on VBG… if he killed Jag, another nobleman…and if the public got wind of it, this would surely bring double, triple, disrepute to the royal houses…. this could be enough for Falcon to lose his title.

Which would then pass onto Viper.

And he’s such a fucking reprobate; from there it’s only a matter of time until the whole seat collapses.

I turn and study Asumpta, and she looks up from her weapons and catches my eye.

I think she knows everything .