However, I wasn’t at all comfortable with giving him everything that I was. Not at all. There was knowing someone, and there was knowing someone. I didn’t know Butch well enough to put my soul in the palm of his hand like that. I trusted him with my life, but not with everything. I couldn’t give him what he wanted.

Since he wasn’t the type to take no for an answer, I doubted he would accept that. He wouldn’t behave, tip his hat, and walk away if this was truly important to him. And if he did accept that answer and walk away, well I’d know that I still wasn’t enough for him. That thought kind of depressed me.

Paige nudged me. “Cheer up, sunshine.”

I forced a smile. “I’m just tired.”

“Hasn’t the induced sleep completely worn off yet?” asked Alora, her expression thoughtful. “It struck you fast. One second, you were struggling like a wildcat. The next thing, you were limp in Butch’s arms.”

“I tried to take you,” said Paige, “but he wouldn’t have any of it. He said he’d take you home himself.”

Did he now? “He took me to his apartment.”

Alora’s lips pressed together. “You promised yourself you wouldn’t—”

I raised a hand. “Nothing happened.” I didn’t tell them any of the things he’d said because I knew what their advice would be: ‘Stay clear of Butch.’

It wasn’t that my squad didn’t like him. They just didn’t like that he’d let me go. Sweethearts that they were, they wanted me to be with a guy who’d treat me right. As far as they were concerned, Butch had treated me as nothing more than a fuck toy and he didn’t deserve me. I’d insisted that it wasn’t like that, and I’d tried to explain that connecting with others was simply difficult for him. That hadn’t appeased them at all.

They would see me trying a relationship with Butch as a definite route to Heartbreak Avenue. As such, I couldn’t rely on them to give me unbiased advice. I also couldn’t rely on them not to pull Butch’s squad into it. The guys hadn’t been happy with Butch’s behaviour either, since they were protective of me and the girls. They wouldn’t approve of me being with him, and they would be seriously pissed at him for even suggesting that we try a relationship. So, yeah, I was on my own with this one.

A familiar giggle made me look to the door. Ava was skipping inside with her mate, Salem. They were total opposites. The tiny brunette was sweet, bubbly, and high on life. He was a grunting, growling, surly male who didn’t seem to smile for anyone other than Ava. Yet, they suited each other perfectly.

That was what I wanted. A mate who took me as I was. Something deep and real. I wasn’t sure that Butch could truly give me that, no matter what he said.

Ava gave us a cheery smile. “Evening, people.” She took the seat next to Alora. The two females had become quite close, and I suspected it was because they were both often underestimated by people—Ava because she was cute and bubbly; Alora because she had a very hippy-like look and quirky attitude.

Alora’s partner, Evan, was Jared’s twin brother, a commander within the legion, and also Sam and Jared’s appointed Heir. That meant he would replace them when they were ready to step down—probably with Alora at his side, since Evan had no intention of letting her go.

“How are you feeling, Imani?” Ava asked. “It looked like that psychic blow hurt.”

“It did for a few seconds.” Like a hammer hitting my head.

Ava’s sigh was dreamy. “It was so cute the way Butch cradled you against his chest and carried you away.” She slanted an annoyed glance at her mate. “Salem picked me up by the back of my top and dragged me out of there. And they say romance is dead.” Salem just grunted.

“Here comes your saviour now with Chico and Jude,” Cassie whispered, fiddling with her wheat-blonde braid.

I wouldn’t look at him. No. I’d keep my gaze firmly ahead, I’d—

I looked. It wasn’t strictly my fault. Not when he walked with that sexy, purposeful, confident stride that drew attention. And certainly not when he emanated an intense raw masculinity that could raise the hairs on my arms.

Seriously, how was I supposed to ignore that? I couldn’t. Particularly since he stopped at the seat beside mine and just stared at his squad mate. Denny heaved a sigh and stalked off. Butch took the now empty seat without even acknowledging me.

Lips flattening, Jude raised a questioning brow at me. I just shrugged. I liked the Sventé a lot. She was a relatively serene and friendly person…although she’d soon as cut your throat than look at you. Her mate, Chico, was freaked out by her love of knives and Michael Myers vibe, but the Hispanic Pagori adored her anyway.

At that moment, Sam and Jared entered the room. Really, there were no two people better to guard and discipline vampirekind. The British female vamp was a Feeder, which meant she could absorb and manipulate the surrounding energy and shape it into various things like bolts, beams, and balls. Her favourite weapon was her energy whip. Thanks to Antonio having once imparted her with additional power, she also had the ability to merge her body with others. It was a gift she rarely used.

As Antonio had twice imparted Jared with additional power, the Pagori had three gifts: teleportation, electrokinesis, and telepathy. He wasn’t able to read minds, but he could hear any thought that was directed at him. He was also absolutely freaking merciless when necessary.

Both were extremely powerful in their own right. Together, they were a force to be…avoided. Especially since Sam was somewhat different from other vampires. Originally, she’d been a Sventé. But since joining the legion, she’d become a hybrid—a combination of Sventé, Keja, and Pagori. I didn’t know the story of how that came about. Most didn’t.

Evan and two Kejas filed inside the room, closing the door behind them. The first Keja, Sebastian, was a Tracker who hunted felons and scouted for potential legion members; he had been the one to find Paige and I, and to teleport us to The Hollow. The second Keja, Luther, was their Advisor and pretty much Gandalf’s doppelganger. Part of what made him such a good Advisor was his gift of precognition. He could forewarn them of upcoming danger and the best ways to confront or avoid it.

Once everyone was seated, Sam said, “Evening, all. I have some news.”

Anticipation filled the air. Max leaned forward, his bright blue eyes wide as he said, excitement in every syllable, “Luther had a vision?”