Bound to the Vampire Read Online Free Page B

keeping herself busy. If not with business or parties, she would head to the spa and hope for solace.
    “That’s him,” she admitted, her voice flat, rueful.
    Avery reached over and linked her hand with Valencia’s. The gesture was tender and powerful and calming.
    Valencia looked over at the American beauty with her big, dark blue eyes and jet black hair. The black cocktail dress set off the exquisite platinum and diamond necklace to perfection.
    At twenty-two carats, it wasn’t the largest total weight necklace in the collection, but it was the most breathtaking. The crown jewel in Shimmer’s vault. It never failed to attract attention but Valencia had yet to find the right buyer for it.
    “At least the rest of the party went well,” Avery said after several awkward moments. Normally she babbled away, filling the silence with easy going banter. But much had changed recently.
    “It did. Thank you for displaying the diamond so beautifully.”
    “Of course.” Then, “It’s my job.”
    “You look lovely.”
    “It’s the jewels,” Avery replied with a saucy wink.
    “Indeed.”
    That wasn’t entirely true. Avery had that magnetic sort of beauty that drew people in, which was the reason Valencia wanted her as a spokesmodel.
    “The man without a mask…” Avery said, obviously fishing for a name to put with the face.
    The handsome, ruthless face.
    “Dameon LeBeau,” Valencia said. Did she sound as off kilter as she thought she did? Why did saying his name leave her the slightest bit breathless?
    Maybe Avery wouldn’t notice.
    “He has a lot of nerve showing up like that,” Avery said softly, her voice fierce. Luckily she was glancing out at the star filled sky and gently rolling waves so she didn’t notice the way Valencia pursed her lips and fought off another wave of tears.
    Really, how weak could she be?
    “He’s always been the type,” Valencia replied.
    “Handsome,” Avery said gently.
    “That he is.”
    “Possessive.”
    Valencia raised an eyebrow. “Show me an immortal who isn’t.”
    “What does he want?”
    “I have no idea.” He couldn’t really want to marry her. He was just saying that to throw her off balance. Otherwise he would have shown up long before now. No, he was here for some other reason.
    Dameon did nothing without an agenda. She and her broken heart were the ultimate testament to that fact.
    Avery twisted her torso toward Valencia. “But you’re curious.”
    “Not in the least.”
    “Really? You haven’t seen him in how long, he shows back up looking to die for and you’re not the least bit curious as to why he sought you out?”
    “ Non . Not the least,” Valencia lied. If she lied to herself enough maybe she’d start believing it.
    “I’d be dying to know.”
    “How’s Hunter?” Valencia asked, pointedly changing the subject. She pushed to her feet and paced back and forth in front of the window.
    “He’d good. Frustrated. I took him back to Novgorod.”
    Where he was the Beta of his werewolf Pack. And currently struggling to find a replacement so he could travel the world with Avery.
    “And don’t think I didn’t notice you changing the subject,” Avery added as she stood.
    “And you’re good enough to forgive me.”
    She felt her friend’s gaze for a full minute before Avery strode into the kitchen and poured them each a glass of blood and Burgundy. The cocktail was perfect and never failed to sooth Valencia’s nerves.
    Avery handed over the glass and leaned against the doorframe, once again staring out at the ocean.
    “We’re worried about you.”
    Avery didn’t need to expand. Valencia had seen that shared look of concern on all her friends’ faces tonight.
    “There’s nothing to worry about,” she said, waving off Avery’s unease.
    “Hunter asked me to move to Novgorod with him until he can find a new Beta.”
    Valencia had expected as much, had known the wolf would take Avery away. But still, her footsteps faltered on the tile