All Souls' Night - Renee Rose Page 0,248

you’ve got a lot on your mind with everything that’s happened. Take Zoe home. I’ll have Tiberius finish your shift. And let Zoe know Karina is staying here tonight.” He heads down into the dungeon.

Frankly, I’m surprised Theo isn’t out hunting down whoever hurt Karina. But I get it. He’s second in command while Lucius is away and has many other responsibilities. However, vampires tend to be possessive, and Theo’s made it clear over the past few months that Karina has captured his interest. Tough, balancing his position as general manager and a personal life. Sucks to be him.

Maximus pokes his head around the corner and it’s his turn to disrupt my view of Zoe behind the bar. “Grab her and leave already. You’re stinking up the place with your worry. I’ll have my phone if you need anything.”

Why the fuck is everyone so eager to get rid of me? “I smell great. You know you want a piece of me.”

Maximus shakes his head. “You wish.”

I chuckle as I cross to Zoe. I catch myself twice, stopping just in time before I blur across the room, my impatience fighting to control my body.

Tapping on the wood, I lean toward her. “Theo says we’re off the clock. Time to go, mi cielito.”

Zoe stops wiping the counter and her hazel eyes capture mine. The breath I haven’t needed for centuries leaves me in a rush. She’s had this effect on me from the second she walked in the club for her job interview.

But she pouts. “Our shifts aren’t over for another two hours. Give me your address and I’ll head over later. I’m staying. The tips from tonight are going towards a sweet little leather number I have on order.”

My shaft stiffens in my jeans as she runs her hand down the side of her corset.

She rocks the top like no one in history. It pushes her plentiful breasts up and out. A growl flutters from my throat at the men in the club, vampire and human alike, fawning over her flirty body language for me. I glare and they divert their attention. My eyes rake over her curves. The lace and silk are gorgeous, but this woman was made for leather.

I lift a brow and slap a wad of cash from my wallet onto the bar in front of her. “This isn’t up for debate. Let’s go.”

A smile spreads across her face and she picks up the Ben Franklins before tucking them into her cleavage. “Yes, Sir.”

My mouth waters at her snarky retort. Her thorns are precisely what I’ve always imagined in my perfect partner.

She tosses her towel down and tells Roxy goodbye before sauntering toward the exit. Her hips sway, and I catch the underside of her ass peeking from beneath her shorts. Why have I not taken this woman before now? I’m an idiot. Perhaps I’ve been too cautious. Her radiance just might be able to withstand my shadows.

Unlike many vampires my age, I’m not bored with sex. I’ve done everything imaginable with men and women, and look forward to the little death that comes with each climax. Zoe will burn me in the best possible way, if the small taste I had of her tonight is any clue.

I catch up to her and put my voice at her ear. “Mmmm. You’ve learned your place, I see. Now I can get down to business as soon as I have you in my lair.”

She narrows her eyes but lowers her head and clasps her hands behind her back. The pose highlights her best features and gives me a view of the money I gave her. Good fucking thing we’re outside or I’d have to erase the image from anyone who caught sight of it.

The corners of my mouth lift in a smirk. “Don’t lose your thorns just yet, mi cielito.”

She shakes her head and we continue walking. Her demeanor shifts, though, and the fear wafting off her is palpable, her shoulders stiff under my arm. Her pretty hazel eyes dart around the parking lot with caution.

“You’re looking for him?” I scan the area, my night vision penetrating the shadows, but find no one waiting.

She nods.

I tug her close. “Do not fear him while you are with me.” I escort her to my truck. “We’ll leave your car here tonight. Let’s stay together.”

“Yes, Sir,” she whispers, and shivers.

I help her into the front seat of my F250 king cab and give one more glance around the property. As I climb into