“Yes, they do that when someone doesn’t feel safe. Lola, darling, did someone not feel safe?”
“Gideon was threatened,” Lola answered without tearing her gaze from the trio of intruders.
“I’ve claimed him!” Gregori shouted. “He has no clan, and I’m claiming him.”
“Oh, I didn’t realize you were a clan leader, Bert. Are these your other clan members?” Rafe gave a limp wave of his hand toward the other two vampires at Bert’s back. Yes, it was too late. Gregori was going to be Bert now and forever. Luckily, there was a very good chance Gregori/Bert wasn’t going to live much longer.
“Yes, this is my clan, and we’ve claimed him.” Bert pointed at Gideon. Rafe glanced over to see Gideon shrink further into himself.
“Ah, then, there’s just a bit of confusion. Gideon must not have clearly told you that he doesn’t wish to be a part of your clan.”
“I did.” Gideon’s voice was soft and wobbled a bit, but he was clear. “I don’t wish to be a part of his clan.”
“So, there you go. Every vampire has a right to reject a claim. Gideon doesn’t want to be a part of the Bert Clan. You can just run along now.”
“If he wants his freedom, he’s going to have to fight me for it.”
Gideon whimpered, and Rafe had to clench his teeth to hold back his snarl. There was a shift behind, and he could easily guess that it was Ryder taking a step closer to Bert and his buddies. Even Lola seemed to tense from where she was sprawled in her seat, one foot propped on an empty chair beside her.
“We all know that’s not going to happen,” Rafe said as evenly as he could manage. “Gideon is not leaving here with you.”
“You have no say in this. He’s not a Varik. None of them are!”
Rafe’s frustration boiled, and he wanted to take the fucker’s head off just for that statement. Varik or not, they were his people. His to protect. But it did matter that they weren’t Variks. It didn’t limit his claims and their protection.
This wasn’t the time for those matters.
“And yet he’s mine all the same. They all are.” Rafe stopped and cocked his head to the side a little as he smiled at Bert. “This is your one and only warning from me. Leave now while you still can.”
“Not without him,” Bert said, pointing at Gideon. “Release him, or I’ll take this to the Ministry.”
“This will never go before the Ministry. I promise you that,” Rafe said in a voice barely above a whisper.
Rafe looked over his shoulder at Lola as she placed both feet on the floor. She was more than ready to launch herself at Bert, but Rafe wanted to teach him and his little minions that he was not someone to be fucked with. He gave a little shake of his head and turned his attention to the other two vampires with Bert.
They were both younger than Bert, not surprisingly. But where the brunette with the earring looked eager for a fight, the blond looked as if he’d rather be anywhere else but at Blush. His wide blue eyes darted from one person to the next as if he couldn’t decide who was most likely to attack first.
“Have you asked the rest of your clan if they want Gideon to join them?” Rafe pasted a sweet smile on his face as he tapped into his power hidden just behind his heart. He turned his full attention to the blond, his smile widening as he tightly wrapped his gift around his words. “Has he even asked you what you wanted, my pretty boy?”
The blond swallowed hard and took a step back, but his eyes remained locked on Rafe. “I-I—”
“Shut the fuck up, Mason!” Bert snarled.
Rafe made a tsking noise and made his look tender. “He hasn’t, has he? But then you know he means to replace you. He wants Gideon to replace you. Poor, weak Mason. They’re going to laugh at you when they are together.”
“No,” the blond whispered. The sound came out broken and choked. His blue eyes were glazed over, and Rafe knew he was fully wrapped in his powers. He could feel it sinking deeper into his brain, playing on all his fear and insecurities. The sound of a speeding heart started to echo through the room, and Rafe wanted to laugh.
“And when they’re done laughing, they’re going to kill you.”
“Don’t listen to him! It’s bullshit!” Bert shouted, his words growing more desperate.
“You have to kill Gregori before he can convince another to kill you.”
“Motherfucker!” Bert snarled. He started to move on Rafe, but Mason tackled Bert with a cry. The two vampires crashed into a table and fell hard to the floor as they struggled. The third vampire stumbled backward, looking so damn torn. As if he couldn’t decide between pulling Mason off Bert or attacking Rafe.