delays. “Can you explain why someone would target you…and in turn me, because of Clarence?”
Agitated fingers plowed through his hair. “Ginny, I can’t confide in you only to take the knowledge away…that makes me an even worst bastard.”
“I won’t know you’re a bastard. I won’t know you at all.”
Torture twisted his expression. “Love.”
She flattened her palms on he bedspread and tried to keep her voice calm and not at all pleading. “Just talk to me. For a little while. Please?”
After some visible debate, he spoke in a hushed tone. “Clarence, my sire, is the King of the High Order. He holds the highest power among the vampires. Tonight was not the first time someone has figured out my connection to him and tried to eliminate me. Though it’s the first time someone has been vulnerable because of their connection to me. I’m so sorry I didn’t see it coming.”
“Don’t apologize. You protected me.”
He snorted and began pacing again. “Not soon enough. I could have still been inside meeting with the newbie when he arrived in the alley. He could have…”
“But he didn’t.”
“No thanks to you.” He flicked her a high eyebrow. “Car leaver.”
Smiles ghosted over their lips.
“Will you tell your father…your sire about the attack?”
“I try not to associate with him, but he contacts me occasionally, when he can pin my location down before I move on.” He blurred past Ginny, ending up at the fire escape window. “Our relationship is complicated. When I was freshly Silenced, he intended for me to follow in his footsteps.”
“He wanted you to lead the High Order?”
“God no. He’d never relinquish power. Not voluntarily, anyway,” Jonas said. “He wants a second in command to do his bidding. I didn’t agree with how he governed, allowing humans to be Silenced and then punishing those who can’t temper the vampire nature inflicted on them. It’s barbaric.” He tucked his tongue into his cheek. “After one too many arguments, I left. Clarence has made it clear many times that he wants me to return, and take my seat in the Order. See, I’m his only progeny. Once a vampire reaches a certain age, his venom dries up and he can no longer Silence a human.” He laughed without humor. “It’s more likely he wants me to return and give him a vow of fealty so I can never challenge his domination, not because he has some perceived kinship with me. But I’ll never go back.”
“Not even for Thanksgiving dinner?”
Jonas showed only the briefest flicker of amusement but it faded rapidly. “Staying away from the only family I have is easy compared to what it’ll be like keeping my distance from you.” He dragged his hands down his face. “Christ, love. I don’t know if I’ll be able to stand it.”
“Don’t find out,” she whispered. “We can be careful—”
“No. No, Ginny,” he barked forcefully, his eyes squeezed shut. “You’ve already witnessed first hand the danger I bring into your life. The King has made countless enemies and because of that, I’m a target. I won’t make you one, too.”
She swallowed, a tremble passing through her knees. “Then do it. Erase yourself from my mind. What are you waiting for?”
In half a heartbeat, he was standing in front of her. He heaved a miserable sound, green starting to crackle in his eyes. Go time.
“It’s midnight,” Ginny blurted.
He started, seeming almost grateful for her interruption. “What?”
“It’s officially my birthday.”
Jonas fell to his knees and walked forward, pressing his face to her stomach, hands fisting in the sides of her dress. “Forgive me. Forgive me.”
Ginny didn’t hesitate to tangle her fingers in his hair, softly scratching circles in his scalp. “Only if you give me a present before…before you do it.”
When he lifted his head, his expression was wary, but eager. “What would you request from me, love?”
“A kiss,” she breathed, almost dizzy thanks to their proximity and the intensity he radiated. “Just one.”
The atmosphere around them turned heavy, like a hot raincloud. A trickle of something predatory rode across Jonas’s features and in turn, her thighs clenched. The low lamplight seized them in a hazy glow and time turned languid. She sat on her bed with this beautiful, eternal being knelt between her shaking knees and their position made desire lick at her senses. Made her so excited, her nipples beaded inside her bra and the dress she wore suddenly felt like plastic wrap she needed off.
“Just one,” Jonas repeated hoarsely. She held her breath as he flipped up her