ChapterTen
Leo had been avoiding Yesenia for the past four days on purpose. True, he'd been busy with sending out more spies to watch on the rival gaming hell, discussing possible future renovations to his business with John and Charlotte, as well as coordinating a meeting with Everett Black. However, he'd also done it to keep the fae witch at a distance.
After his last conversation with her, he'd had some rather heated dreams, ones that had left him hard and desperate to sink his fangs into Yesenia's delicate neck as he fucked her.
If it were only dreams of his claiming, he'd merely blame his instinct. But last night, he'd also dreamt of a little girl with pointed ears and small fangs, one whom he taught how to play cards and defend herself against an attacker.
It'd been his daughter, one who also possessed Yesenia's brown eyes and thick brown hair.
In the dream, he'd felt a deep, protective love toward his made-up daughter. But then just as he was about to pick her up and carry her upstairs, she'd been snatched from him and taken somewhere he couldn't reach her.
A hazy enemy with a French accent had taunted him, daring him to find her before he sold her to the highest bidder.
But despite his best efforts, Leo had been unable to reach her. Just like with his sister, Nora, he'd been powerless to save her from a cruel fate.
It'd brought reality back home, reminding him that any lord of a paranormal species had to be cautious, but more so with him being a vampire. He may have formed a truce in London, but the French still held grudges against what he and his kind had done during the Napoleonic Wars. Even if Leo had been too young to fight at the time, let alone hadn’t participated in the slaughtering of the French female vampires that the humans had ordered toward the end,anyBritish vampire was held responsible by the French.
It was only one of many, many reasons he'd wanted to avoid finding his bride.
In the end, Leo couldn't risk creating his own family with a bride and children. It was hard enough protecting his sister and nephew from his enemies; he couldn't risk his own children being used as pawns for a future war.
And hence the need to distance himself from Yesenia. He might have to meet her once or twice more before he claimed her, but that should be it. The fewer times he saw her, the less he'd want to talk more with her, kiss her, hold her close, or do any of the other thousand things he'd dreamed about over the last few days.
After a knock, Nora waltzed into the room, shutting the door behind her. "You're dining with us tonight."
He frowned. "I have too much to do, you know that."
His sister crossed her arms over her chest. "I don't care if an army is about to come knocking. You've ignored your bride for long enough."
He resisted a sigh. Nora was shy and hesitant with male strangers, but never with her brothers. "Yesenia and I have an agreement, that's all, to keep me from going mad. I've told you not to pin your hopes on anything more."
She raised an eyebrow. "And I don't bloody accept that." Lowering her arms, she took a step toward him. "If this is because of what happened to me and you somehow think you can't protect her, just stop."
His temper inched up and in the next instant, he stood, slapped his hands on the desk, and leaned forward. "Don't, Nora. Just don't."
His sister didn't even flinch. "Why not? It's been more than fifty years, Leo. I survived, and I have Ambrose, who I wouldn't trade for anything."
If she was going to bring up the past, then Leo wasn't going to tiptoe around it either. "So when are you finally going out for a stroll, then?"
Fear crossed her expression and Leo immediately felt like an arse. Before he could say anything, Nora spoke first. "My internal struggles are my own, not yours." She leaned over to place a hand over his. It was strange feeling how cool hers was compared to his, now that he'd been blooded. "You've done a marvelous job taking care of me, Laurie, and eventually Ambrose. And that doesn't even touch upon what you've done for the vampires in the East End either. But whilst all of that is admirable, you've neglected to do anything for yourself. I think Yesenia could be good for you. And once she learns how to properly control her magic, she'll be able to protect herself more than just about anyone else we know of." The corner of Nora's mouth ticked up. "I wish I had the ability to send some groping male back a thousand years into the past to teach him a lesson."
He froze for a beat. The fact Nora was teasing him was a bloody big deal since he couldn't remember the last time she'd done it with anyone but her son. However, Leo couldn't comment upon it or she'd probably retreat again. So he replied, "I'd say two or three thousand years back would be better. Or maybe more, to meet a horrible end with one of Sir Richard Owen'sDinosauria."
Since Ambrose had been fascinated with the great beasts and their fossils, Leo knew more than he should about both them and the human male famous for lecturing about their fossils, Sir Richard Owen. Some of those beasts and their giant teeth would most definitely be a nightmare for a modern male.
Nora removed her hand and stood up again. "So does that mean you agree with me about how soon Yesenia will be able to protect herself against most threats? Not just sending people to the past, but she should be able to jump forward or back on her own as well."
He shook his head slowly. "Even so, I still have no need for a bride, Nora. My lifespan is significantly shorter now and I need to ensure the vampires of London—not to mention in southern England as a whole—are taken care of long after I'm gone."
Her mismatched eyes searched his gaze. "Just think about the possibility is all I ask, Leo. I noticed the attraction between you two before, and I think with time, it could be a true partnership despite all your differences. No matter what you say, I think you two deserve that." Nora turned. "Dinner is at eight. Don't be late."
His sister left before he could protest again.
Sitting down in his chair with a sigh, Leo ran his hands through his hair before looking up at the ceiling. A week ago, his life had been rather simple—find ways to increase profits, reinvest it in his people, and keep as much peace as he could. However, not only had danger sprung up just outside his territory in London, but his bride had blooded him. On top of that, it seemed his sister had finally come out of her shell a bit, showing more spirit than she'd had in years. No doubt a result of said bride's influence on her.
The only question was what future he wanted, which would determine how he'd handle all the bloody messes currently on his plate. And more importantly, he needed to determine whether he wanted more to his existence than improving the lives of vampires in the East End and keeping his family safe.
For the first time in decades, he wondered if maybe he did want a bride in his life, after all. A strong one who could eventually take care of herself against enemies, but also soft enough that he wanted to kiss her, and caress her bare skin, and take her neck as he came inside her.