Chapter 23

“Oh, but I was home.” Jesse took del Toro’s wrist and yanked it high behind his back. The other man’s knees bent and he almost fell to the floor, but Jesse tightened his grip and kept him on his feet. “And guess who is waiting for you downstairs?”

Though del Toro didn’t make it easy for him, dragging his feet even when they hit the stairs, Jesse kept a firm grip on him until they reached the open kitchen door. Gideon stood on the other side, looking dark, ominous, and twice his usual size outlined in the moonlight, and for the first time, del Toro began to put up a real fight.

“No way! Not the vampire! He’s fucking ash!”

Jesse pulled del Toro’s arm higher, nearly dislocating his shoulder. But it took a little of the fight out of him. “No, but he is fucking furious.” Jesse put his mouth closer to the other man’s ear. “And hungry.”

Gideon vamped out and smiled. His fangs gleamed wetly. “Hello, Jack.”

Overhead, the sound of the woman rushing around thudded through the kitchen.