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"Because she’s stupid and vindictive," Aden growled "You never should have fucked her I warned you she was trouble"

"You think all women are trouble," Lucas replied "Besides, it’s been decades since I took her to bed And you’re wrong, she’s not stupid I kept her on precisely because she’s damn smart"

"Smart’s even worse She thinks she can outwit you She ht," he muttered

"Thanks for that, asshole"

"Gentlemen," Raphael said with forced patience "Whoever is behind these attacks will be dealt with, whether it’s Magda or soht"

"Of course, my lord," Aden said

"Lucas believes you can take and hold the Midwest, Aden What do you think?"

"The territory is e is simply a formality I know my competition, and I will prevail"

"Assu you’re correct, and the territory becomes yours, Klemens ran a corrupt empire," Raphael said "Most, if not all, of his incoal sources, which forced him to do business with untrustworthy humans of criminal repute Thatthe Midwest"

He watched Aden closely, waiting to see how the other vampire would react to the i offered a place in an alliance--an alliance very ree to be a part of it Or if he was stupid enough to challenge Raphael, which ht

"You don’t know me, my lord," Aden said solemnly "You don’t know my history But I’ll tell you this much I don’t consort with criminals, or with anyone whose purpose in life is to take advantage of others"

Raphael nodded "I had heard as much, but I needed to hear you say it And don’t worry about Magda Lucas and I can handle her"

"Piece of cake," Lucas chimed in "She hasn’t broken the bond between us for so on my protection for now But it means I can find her"

"And she will lead us to the others before she dies It will make your path smoother," Raphael told Aden "There will be no need for you to expend your energy on what hed "An apt description, da’s deood hunt, and vampires are much wilier prey than humans"

"The hunt isRaphael’s chilling glance "Now, I say we enjoy this very fine Irish--"

All three va for the door as the sound of gunfire cut through the night

Chapter Seven

"There are tiainst the fading warmth of the SUV’s front end

"I knohat youher jacket "It looks so satisfying in thein the cold air, draful of tar and nicotine"

"Until the stuff kills them, anyway They don’t show that in the movies"

"There is that I wonder if vaht about it "I may have met one or two But Raphael’s people are fairly fanatic about security, and so they tend to be health nuts, working out all the ti," she added, when Kathryn gave her a sideways look "About the forcing, not the working out part"

"I haven’t met that many of Lucas’s vah, and they’re certainly serious about that Maybe they’re health nuts, too I’d meet more of his people if I traveled with hients show up for work , but Cyn sensed there was more to it than that

"It’s difficult," Cyn co"