Chapter Sixty-six

Bram hadn’t been hit by her powers in a long time and had forgotten how much that shit hurt. He was trying to play it off, by putting his arms under his head, and looking like he was just relaxing back. But his whole body was burning. His muscles ached and he was afraid if he tried to stand up, he’d reveal how much it affected him. “So, what brought you here?”

Looking at her fingertips, Mihaela sighed. She dropped her hand to her side, crossing her arms under her boobs as she always did when she was anxious or upset. They were big enough to even distract herself sometimes, and Bram hated that his eyes kept wandering to them. They were fucking fabulous. But he really enjoyed that embarrassed look Iz gave him after she pulled off her shirt, or as she stood in the closet with him, completely naked. Her breasts weren’t as large, but they were perky and cute, and just enough to fill his large palm.

“Hey, up here. You lost your chance to play with these jugs.” She scowled at him.

He couldn’t help but smirk, “If they weren’t practically jumping out of your dress, I wouldn’t be looking. I have a pair at home I’m more than excited to get back to tonight.”

“You’re a hypocrite and a liar then. You said you don’t have a lover.” Mihaela scowled at him. Tucking a strand of her long black hair behind an ear.

He laughed, unable to contain his mirth. “I don’t. We aren’t lovers. She works for me. We’ve had moments of undeniable passion, but I haven’t had sex with her. Hence, we’re not lovers. Yet.”

“So, you will take her.” Mihaela looked down at him, raising a brow in curiosity.

Bram shrugged, crossing his ankles. “Maybe? Not unless she wants me to. Right now, we’re still getting to know each other.”

Mihaela stared at him long and hard. “Excuse me? You’re… getting to know someone before you ravage them? Who is this girl and what power does she have to get you to be so subordinate to her?”

Finally, Bram had to get off the floor. Brushing himself off, he stood. Mihaela stepped back as if he might jump her again. He didn’t. He took his seat instead. “She’s sweet, like a budding rose. She doesn’t spend frivolously, she appreciates when I put my foot down, and cares about my opinion. My entire life doesn’t need to be limited to how quickly I can get into someone’s pants.” It was something he had worked hard to stop doing for Devon.

“Says the guy who has to have sex with others in order to feed?” She huffed at him, looking down her straight nose at him. Mihaela was beautiful, there was no doubt about that. She was what every man wanted. Her type of body was what he looked for up until Izabella.

He looked away. “I’ve only done that with a paid feeder since. I really am working to do right by her.”

“Why? Because you haven’t been honest?” She squished her breast together more, but Bram was able to look away this time.

Frowning, he answered, “Because I think this is really it. How would you feel if you found your true mate?”

“I would do anything for him.” As she said those words, he realized what she was really here for. There was a sense of ownership in her words. She was trying to protect someone and had assumed he wouldn’t understand.

Nodding, Bram poured her a drink, one to go along with what he took for himself. “Level with me. What’s going on?” He handed it to her over the broken table, neither of them had a place to put their drinks now.

“Your mother is angry that I have found someone other than you. The council is angry because they want me to be the back up for keeping you in place. And you know how they feel about us keeping humans. They’ve been willing to turn a blind eye because I can’t get pregnant. They’ve decided that they won’t do that any longer. They gave me one week to turn him, or they said they would kill us both. I can’t protect him myself and I need help.” The look on her face made it clear she didn’t want his help but needed it. “Marius is human. I’m not ready to take that away from him.”

“So is Iz. A virgin human, no less. How long have you known him?”

“About two years. We’re involved. So, he’s not a virgin, but I care deeply about him.” She clearly was uncomfortable telling him anything. He couldn’t blame her.

Bram couldn’t help but chuckle. “I’ve known Iz for just over a week, and I’m already head over heels. I get it, Mihaela. Once you know, you know.” She nodded in agreement. “I would never stop you from having happiness, I hope you know that. You and I couldn’t give it to each other. I knew Tyler couldn’t either, but you and I were more toxic than him and I ever were. I came to grips with that when we were a thing. I’m sorry no one is supporting you, but you finally know how I feel. You and I were never good for each other. I want happiness. Pure and true.”

“I could never understand what you were looking for. It wasn’t until Marius that I finally figured it out. I understand now. Those emotions. I’m not ready to turn him. He’s still so young. He’s only twenty-two. He has more maturing and growing to do. Why would I turn him before his peek? The council if full of idiots and fools.” She flipped her long black hair over her shoulder, she was still watching him like he was the prey.

“Iz is also young. They won’t give me a time frame. They’ll just kill her if they get the chance. Speaking of, you sure you’re not here to try to kill me again?” He was staring hard at her. In the distance, he could hear someone tearing through the building. He groaned. The last person they need in here right now was Tyler.

“Your parents wanted to try for a more vampiric son. You’ve always been too soft for the humans, and you let the council do whatever the hell they want. With your powers, you could destroy them and take over the entire community. That’s what your parents want for you.”

“I know that.” Bram snapped, looking over at her. “Fuck them. I don’t want to control any of their shit. I don’t want to kill just because someone’s their enemy. And I certainly don’t want to run the vampire world. They’re just pissy that I refuse to do what they want when they want. I will be no one’s puppet.” When the door slammed opened, Bram frowned.

Tyler stormed into the room, heading directly for Mihaela. Bram was between the two of them in an instant. “Enough.” He growled at his friend.

“What the hell? Are you really going to defend that stupid—”

“Enough!” Bram roared. “She came for help. I’m going to hear her out at least. It’s been nearly five hundred years. Let’s be fair, our kind usually tried to kill each other. Come, lets take a walk.” Bram put his cup on the side table and headed for the door. Gavin was standing there, his frosty glare was back. “Gavin,” Bram put his arm around his shoulder’s, “it’s been a really long time since we were like that. It would have ended very poorly if we didn’t call it quits when we did. You are by far, much better together than we ever were. Don’t let it get to you.”

Gavin stopped, turning to look up at Bram. “The worst part is that he wasn’t honest about it. If I’d found out from him when I asked, it wouldn’t form into distrust.” Shaking off Bram’s arm, he turned walking ahead, “I’m going to head out. It’s been a long day.” He waived, not looking back at any of them.

Tyler stared after him, “What… he didn’t even…” His jaw clenched uncomfortably.

“You should go talk to him.” Bram smiled. “At the very least, chasing him now will show him that I’m not the most important person in your life.”

The way Tyler looked up at him said too much though. Things had changed for Bram over the years, but nothing changed for Tyler. Those emotions were still true, and they were killing him. Mihaela put her hands on her hips. “I’m pretty sure that would just be a lie. You are an idiot when it comes to others’ feelings for you, you know that, Vlad?” He chose to ignore her barb this time.

“Don’t be a fool, Tyler. If it was Iz, I would walk away from you. Hell, I’d kill her.” His eyes shifted to Mihaela as she lifted a questioning brow. “Seriously. You may be the person I’ve known the longest, and that’s been enough to keep you alive so far, lets be clear. You mess with her, Gavin, or Tyler while you’re here. I will kill you.”

She waved her hand in the air, “Yeah, yeah. I love you too, my darling husband.”

“Stop saying that.” Bram turned, leaving the building. It was dark outside, and the city was alive with lights and sounds.

“I may be over that jackass, but I still want to kill you, you son-of-a-bitch.” He heard Mihaela say to Tyler, they hadn’t stopped grumbling behind him. Rolling his eyes, he tried to ignore them. He wanted desperately to just go home. Lifting his phone, he clicked dial. The phone rang four times, and Izabella didn’t answer. When he called Devon’s phone and no one answered, he felt his heart race.

“Don’t worry. They’re just being used as insurance. A guarantee that you’ll cooperate with us. Mom was pretty hurt when she found out you had a son and that you hadn’t even called to let her know. She was excited to be able to meet the family, though it was a lot bigger than she was expecting.”

Bram’s blood ran cold. She really was going to make him kill her.