Fashionably Dead and Loving It (Hot Damned #14) - Robyn Peterman Page 0,19
was also pretty and presentable.
“You clean up nice,” I said.
“I do,” he replied smugly.
“And your humility is astounding,” I added.
“Thank you,” Levi said with a cheeky grin.
“Wasn’t a compliment.”
“Yes. I know,” he said. “Why are we dressed like this and who are we trying to impress?”
Ethan was silent for a long moment. His jaw clenched and he examined my brother as if he were a deadly experiment—which was a possibility. I knew my mate was debating if we were making a mistake by bringing Levi into the fold.
Levi watched every movement on Ethan’s face.
Ethan shrugged. “Mistakes have a way of becoming successes,” he said, still staring at Levi. “My brother Wilhem, his paramour, and my sister Anastasia are here for a royal tour. We’ll be hosting them.”
“How long?” Levi asked the question that was on the tip of my tongue.
“As little time as possible,” Ethan said shortly. “I have issues unfolding that need my attention.”
“Would you like to be more specific?” Levi asked casually.
“No, I would not,” Ethan said politely, yet his tone was icy. “While I don’t feel that you’re here to do harm, I don’t trust you.”
“Smart,” my brother said. “I’m not to be trusted at all.”
“Shut up, Wrangler Man,” I said with an eye roll. “You’re a dick, but Satan wouldn’t have sent you here if you wanted to hurt me.”
Levi’s brows shot up. “You trust the Devil?”
I leveled him with a gaze that made him uneasy. “With my life. I trust the Arbiter of Evil with my undead existence.”
Levi whistled and groaned. “You’re more of an idiot than I thought.”
I laughed. “And you are the dumbest wanker I’ve ever met. Call it even.”
“As you wish,” Levi replied.
“Are we done?” Ethan inquired. “We have a party to attend.”
“Wait. We’re having a party?” I asked, panicked. “I thought it was an intimate little get-together with your siblings.”
“Trust me,” Ethan said with the tiniest of winces. “It’s far better to be with my brother in a crowd.”
“Why?” I asked as the three of us made our way down the hall to the Grand Staircase.
“Easier to get away?” Levi suggested, looking straight ahead.
Ethan chuckled. “Exactly.”
Chapter Six
I watched as Levi took in his surroundings with a guarded expression. The Vampyre compound was grand yet tasteful—very different from Hell, which was grand and tacky. I’d been in awe the first time I’d seen the Cressida House and that never changed.
The Grand Foyer was impressive. Dark heavy wood gave it a masculine feel, but the huge crystal chandeliers and exquisite floral arrangements in sparkling cut-glass bowls kept it from being too manly. The rugs were handmade, and I knew that just one cost more than my college education. The curtains were a thick brocade and fell like water from windows that were over fifteen feet high. Of course, that was nothing compared to all the real Picassos, Rembrandts, Degas and Monets hanging on the plaster walls.
While it felt like my home now, I was aware of the opulence. If my brother had an opinion, he kept it to himself.
“Please tell me this place has a gym,” Levi said.
“Yep,” I replied. “There’s a gym, a fight training center, a movie theater, and a bowling alley. I’d be happy to kick your butt at bowling and then duke it out in the training center.”
Levi stiffened then his face went blank. “As you wish,” he replied tonelessly.
I closed my eyes and wanted to rip my own head off. I’d just thrown down the gauntlet. Levi thought I was no different than all the others who had tried to destroy him.
“You can punch back,” I said quickly. “Hard. I’m really tough.”
“I don’t particularly enjoy hitting girls. Not my thing,” he said, looking straight ahead.
“I’m not a girl,” I insisted, wanting his snarky side to come back. “I’m your sister. I don’t count as a girl.”
Ethan watched the exchange and stepped in. “Astrid is an excellent sparring partner. She is as skilled as any male—more so. She is also fair and compassionate. I believe you could learn from each other.”
Levi shrugged. He had closed off. It made me want to cry. However, crying would not be the smartest move since my tears were blood. It would be all kinds of embarrassing to have a blood-stained face in front of people who wanted to see me fail… Speaking of. “Will there be undead press here?”
“Possibly. The guards have been given instructions to keep them out, but they’re like cockroaches,” Ethan said, still watching Levi. “Regardless, ignore them. They’re assholes.”